Ball Scandal

Commercial baseball, scandalized for some weeks before the public eye, hurried its wranglings to a close. In Chicago, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis chewed up many cigars over testimony concerning two dismissed club-managers, Tyrus Cobb (Detroit) and Tristram Speaker (Cleveland), accused of "fixing" a game in 1919 (TIME, Jan. 3). Indications were that both would be exonerated. Meantime a head bigger than theirs was chopped off. Byron Bancroft Johnson, founder of the American League in 1900 and its president ever since, accused Commissioner Landis of wilfully and improperly publishing the Cobb and Speaker evidence after receiving it from the American League. The latter had investigated the cases quietly and dismissed the two men without publicity, to spare them and commercial baseball a black eye. Mr. Johnson contended it was purely an American League affair. Ever since Commissioner Landis' appointment in 1920, Mr. Johnson had resented his authority. Twice before he had challenged it. His third challenge was his last. The eight American League club-owners met in Chicago at Commissioner Landis' request. They realized that the Cobb-Speaker publicity had been unavoidable. They relieved vociferous Mr. Johnson of his duties. Mr. Johnson's health was reported "pitiable."