The Washington times., 1909-04-08
QUARANTINE MAY
DELAY OPENING
Of BALL SEASON
Hal Chase, of New York
Team, Said to Have
Smallpox.
CANT PLAY HERE"
SAYS DR.. WOODWARD
Health Officer Asserts Yankees
May Not Play First Game
of Season Monday.

With baseball interest at fever heat
the opening game of the American
League season in Washington may be
delayed until Friday. as the result or
a quarantine which win probably be
placed on the entire New York Anle-i-
can team, scheduled 10 open here with
the Nationals on Monday.
Hal Chase, the great first beseman Of
the Yankees, has been unable to prac-
dce with the team, stationed at Au-
gusta, Ca, for more than a week, but
1t was learned for the first time today
that his malady has been pronounced
TO be smallpox by State health officers
at Augusta He is confined TO a pest
house on the outskirts OF the city, and
is said to be suffering from the disease
in a mild form
When the news Of Chase's illness and
the probable infection OF the Yankee
team reached Washington today. DR.. ".
c. Woodward. Health Officer Of the
District. issued immediate orders to OF
fciais of the Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service to commrrlcate with
the health officers at Augusta, and de-
terrnine the danger of infeetioa. Every
member of the Highlander squad from
Manager Stallings to The ebon-hued
mascot was vaccinated before leavins
Augusta The team is at Charlotts to-
day. and may be quarantined there.
Woodward's Statement.
aIf it is found that there Is the slight
est danger of eontagion,7 said Dr.
Woodward, Il wiz take immediate steps
to prevent the Team from corning to this
city Should they get this far. and It
is found they have been in range Of
infection from Chase. they Kill be quar-
asltined here"
Good Diamond There.
AT the quarantine station there is a
classy diamond" he facetiously added.
''and they can practice out there. That
won't help the Nationals, though. nor
the anxious fans. I wanted to see the
game myself"
In letter to DR.. Waiter Wyman, of
the Health and Marine Hospital Ser
vice, DR.. Woodward says: The case
presents a problem in interstate quar-
sntine which, I understand. Is under
control of your service. I would thank
you to take appropriate action TO pre-
vent the Introduction OF smallpox into
the District from the source described
above"
President Tom Noyes, of the Wash
ington ball club. said he had heard of
Chase's illness. but had not yet learned
to what degree members of the New
York team were exposed TO the danger
OF cOntagiOn- Until he receives definite
news on that point he VIII take no ac-
ton toward calling on the game On
Monday
-Four Games Scheduled
The Yankees were scheduled TO play
four games here. beginning Monday and
closing on Thursday.
Plans for the opening day will be a.
a standstin until definite information is
received that the authorities viii permit
the team to play.
There was a heavier demand for boxes
for the opening day that ever before
when they were placed on sale on Tues
day and only about one firth OF the
orders for box seats could be sIled. II
had also been planned 70 have hand
music between the innings and one OF
the Commissioners was expected TO be
present TO toss out the first bah.
Even If the New York team is de-
clared immune and escapes quarantine
they may find difficulty IN obtaining
hotel accommodations
Peter TayloD, manager OF the Airing
ton Hotel. where the team had engaged
rooms, said today:
"Of course, the players viii be refused
admission If there is found to be the
slightest danger. We could not afford
TO place our guests in the way OF con-
tagion."