Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-22
MAJOR LEAGUES At
ODDS OVER SCHEDULE
Americans Favor 14O Games
and Nationals Lean
to 1863.

NEW YORK, November 22-During
the coming powwoW of the major league
base ball magnates I'm this city it is said
there may be long argument over the
length of the playing season i'm future.
In fact. the matter has been quietly
discussed by National League and Ameri-
can League masnates for several weeks,
and as there is wide difference of opin-
ion the matter will probably be thorough
ly sifted when the rival leagues convene
next MONTH.
From what can he gathered from com
ments here and there the American
League is willing to reduce the schedule
to 40 games, while the National League
in part is discussing the advisability of
increasing the number of games to 16S
both leagues. therefore, being averse to
continuing the 1J4-game ARRANGEMENT.
Both sides of this controversy are dis
cussed by President Ban Johnson of the
American League and Barney DreyfuSS,
owner of the Pittsburg National League
club. who is a powerful base ball poll
tician just now. These are Johnson's
views:
"The American League will not increase
the number of games. If any action at
all is taken it will be the reduction of the
schedule from 1I4 to 40 games. The
league would do this right now if the
National would agree to follow suit. We
believe the 154-game season is too long,
and it is our idea to start up about the
lst of May winding up the schedule Oc-
tober /. This would be the ideal playing
time. Spectators and players would escape
a let CT dsagreeabie weather and the
public would not grow tired of the game
before the end of the season.
THE American League has always OPP
posed the long schedule and is still oppos-
ed TO it. Recent stories in the papers may
have led to the belief that both major
leagues favored a longer schedule, but
the American League does not want this
impression to grow. ! don't know what
the National wants. but | do know that
we will second any motion to cut the
schedule to 40 games. There isn't a
chance for us to schedule as many as
16S.
"Of course | know | shall be accused of
selfish motives in advocating the present
schedule of 154 games" says Dreyfuss.
land so far as know | stand alone in my
opposition. But l cannot what is to
be gained by increasing the number of
games. If | have my way the season will
open April Ia and close October > or 3.
The National League began April II and
closed October this year. 1t is certain
the players will object to schedule of
1853 games. and you can't blame them
The pace they are called upon to travel
for six months is pretty stiff as it is and
to add fourteen more games to the pro-
gram would be rubbing it in on them.
Il am also opposed to shortening the
season to 140 games. If that were done
1t would necesSitate shortening the term
of contracts, and this would be hardly
relished by the players. They fought long
and earnestly for the six months con-
tract before they received the concession.
l understand President Johnson of the
American League favors a 140-game
schedule. but | do not believe he seri-
ouSly contemplates such radical change
in his circuit and / am inclined to think
he intends to use the 14o-game schedule
to force the National League to compro-
mise if the latter should spring the 16S-
game plan.
Many of the magnates ridicule the
proposition advanced in certain quarters
to cut each league season short in order
to arrange a series of intereague games
The conservative club owners remember
the dismal failure of the double season
schedule in 1892. when public interest in
| the championship race was practically
killed. In view of the prosperous cam
paign this year and the enormous receipts
accruing from the worlds series a major
ity of the 1nagnates believe in letting
we'll enough alone as far as the present
framework of the schedules is concerned
A man who enjoys the confidence OF
Garry Hermann owner of the Cincinnati
National League club and chairman OF
the national commission, makes what ap-
pears to be an authorized statement tc
the effect that four club owners are
pledged to vote against the reelection
of President John \. Heyder. Herrmann's
friend, who says he has the proper cue
says that Brush of New York Murphy
of Chicago. Ebbets of Brooklyn and Robi-
son of ST. Louis have lined up against
Heydier and are ready to advocate the
candidacy of John NJ. Ward. Hermann
according to this authority. is going tc
fight for Heydler to the last ditch and
he will have the support of Dreyfuss and
the Boston and Philadelphia clubs. This
statement has been made since Ebbets
declared for publication that ne was no,
opposed to Heyder and Brush refused to
deny the assertion that he had no idea
of voting against the leagues young pres
ident.