Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-15

New York, Dec. 14,-Although the
annual meeting of the National
League held in this city, last week,
failed to develop any sensational fea-
lures aside from trading the mag
mates of major baseball organization
returned to their homes we'll satisfied
with the outlook for the season of
1914. This optimism is due in great
part to the mastery manner in which
President Tener. the newly elected
executive of the league, handled af-
fairs once he took the gavel in meet
ing. A big man, physically and
mentally, he made his personality felt
from the start and there was not ques-
ton as to who was president of the
National League once Tener had step
ped into the position.
1t was this impression of executive
strength that heartened the magnates,
for close observers of the present drift
of sport realize that the expenses of
professional baseball are mounting up
much faster than attendance figures.
In fact, the attendance records of 1917,
and 1913 fail to show any considerable
increase, while the cost of new parks
and stands, together with the In
crease in salaries paid to players have
cut into the gross gate receipts to a
considerable extent This situation Is
not due to any falling off in the in
terest of professional baseball, but to
conditions entirely outside the realm
of the game.
One of these factors Is the tendency
of the present day man to be an active
rather than a passive actor in sport.
Whereas in the past he would spend
his afternoons and holidays witnessing
baseball and other athletic contests he
now uses the same time to participate
in some game or recreation himself.
This movement which is along the
lines so popular In England. offers a
problem that requires careful study
and handling by those who stage ath-
letic exhibitions which depend for
their success upon gate receipts.
Mr. Vienne, director of the Society
for the Propagation of English Box
ing in France, explains his reasons for
proclaiming Sam Langford-Joe Jean
nette bout In Paris, Dec. 90 as world
championship contest.
People say that if a world cham
pionship is organized between two
qualified men, why is the winner of
the title not entitled to hold it for
ever"
THE title held by Jack Johnson is de-
clared vacant because it Is not admis-
sible in sport for a man to legitimately
hold all his life. l have repeatedly Of
fered Johnson an opportunity to de-
fend his title in Paris. Johnson has
always refused.
I'm an interview Johnson had in
Paris with Victor Breyer, then my as
sistant, and later with Leon See, direc-
tor of boxing and boxers, he made the
same public declaration which remains
still without denial that I will not box
again even for a million. Since COM
ing to Paris Jack Johnson made an
engagement to meet me. He did not
come himself, but his representative
came only to declare to me that Jack
Johnson did not wish to really box a
capable adversary to maintain his
title, but only adversaries of second
class. Under those conditions no one
can be expected to submit to Jack
Johnson's fantastic demands"
Both Ray and Vardon were beseiged
upon their return to England for ex-
pressions of opinion regarding golf and
golfers in America. A synopsis of