Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-02
BAN WANTS ACTION
Would Bar National League
Teams Exhibitions.
WILL PUSH HIS PROTEST
Says Interest in Cubs Already Has
Been Ruined by Foolish
Policy.
WILL PUSH HIS PROTEST


CHICAGO, April president B. B.
johnson of the American League will
ask either the National League or ma
tional commission to enact legislation
prohibiting exhibition. games between
teams of the same league in advance
of the schedule season. Such restric-
ton exists in the junior major league
despite many pleas to have it removed
when short sighted magnates thought
they saw an opportunity to gather a
few spring shekels at the gate.
The American leaders attention was
called to what he long has considered
an evil by the result of the series be-
tween the Chicago Cubs and the cham
pion Philadelphia aggregation, who oc-
cupied Florida training camps at
Tampa and ST. Petersburg, respectively.
the separating distance being only a
twenty mile boat ride across Tampa
bay.
This series resulted in seven con-
secutive victories for the MoranS and
naturally in seven consecutive defeats
for the Cubs. OF course, experienced
base ball men recognize that spring
games mean little in the later pennant
race for the reason that managers may
be trying out new players, one team
may be farther advanced than the
other or one set of pitchers may have
wilitered in a warm climate and be
ready to deliver the ball with a few
more kinks than the other.
Lost Seven Straight.
With this point conceded, the fact re-
mains that the loss of seven straight
games carries stigma with many
fans. The result of the series is APP
parent in Chicago. Whereas few
weeks ago it was the vogue TO refer
to Thinkers combined Cubs-Whales as
probable pennant winners. the most
polite of the Cub admirers among the
nublic now are inclined to huge
versation already wonders whether the
slab staff of the Cubs is equal to the
test of Il championship season
The Cubs during the winter passed
from an alien, with the fans at least
ownership to the control OF .ChlcaSoans
with the popularity platform planked
with the home ownership cr-. all set
for tremendous enthusiasm if the team
was a contender for the covered pnat-
ing which signifies the best in the Ma
tional League.
such is the popularity of the owners
that it may be doubted whether the
team will suffer much in attendance at
the opening games. seats lot "nlch
already are in strong demand especial
" IL the Tinker aggregation gathers a
few exhibition victories on its return
trim north. The public memory Is
VIGOROUSLY short-lived.
Those Defeats May Rankle.
But it will need only a slight prod to
recall those seven defeats if the team
begins badly. The point is that it be-
comes necessary to trot out the hack
neyed excuses for defeat in advance of
the season instead of after the season
starts. If by any chance the Cubs
should start off poorly there is the
memory of that Florida experience to
reinforce existing doubt of ultimate
success. The doubt thus is cumulative
instead of primary.
1t may be argued that such result
seldom would happen. but the fact is
there that the possibility exists. I'll
any good purpose were scored by such
it might be worth risking. |
The financial returns appear picayune
in comparison with the danger of in |
iuries and loss of prestige. !
Again it may be asked what is the |
erect upon the players. The optimist |
will reply that the good. game players !
will fight only the harder against the
Pbillies when The real test comes in !
he remnant race. Unfortunately there |
seldom is a club composed entirely of
good. game players" Usually there
a re some temperamental subjects on the
roster.