The Washington herald., 1917-12-13
SETTLE LITTLE
AT BIG CONFAB
American League Magnates
Take Up Only Routine
- Business First Day.
Rv JAMES CRUsINBERRY

BY JAMES CRUSlNBEhhh.
Chicago, Dec. 12.-Baseban magnates
of the American League went into
their annual session here at the Con-
gress Hotel today and although tneS
made no 800 900 deals. they ran on
lot Of routine business, then adjourn
ed until 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon
when they promise to do several ex-
citing things
There was nothing more important
transacted today than the awarding
of the pennant to the Chicago White
sox, and the re-electing of Charles A.
-Comiskey, owner of the Sox, as vice
president for another year.
There was a lot of informal talk
about reduction OF expenses for the
coming year because Of war condi-
tions, but no action was taken en- the
matter at the first session Possibly
action will be taken Thursday but II
il likely no decisive war measures
will be adopted until after the Ameri-
, can League men have conferred with
the club owners OF the National
League.
BY means Of the long distance tele-
phone today, it was agreed that the
National Leaguers will drop their
business in New York Thursday be-
fore noon, hop a fast train and be
here for a joint meeting with their
rivals Friday.
The general feeling among the mag
mates is that they are likely to ex-
perience distress during the season
of 1918, but that they will sit tight
in the boat and get through some
way or other. Almost every club
in the league has been affected al
ready because of players takep into
the war service, and undoubtedly
many more will be crippled before
the playing season begins. If all clubs
were equally affected by the war
there would be no great harm done.
but it is more than likely that some
clubs will be almost wrecked, while
others viii be so slightly affected that
no harm will be done.
It is with the idea of arranging
matters as well as possible at this
time, that the club owners will 90
into session Thursday and again FRI
day Jointly with the National
Leaguers. However. as no one knows
at present what he will have in
the way of playing material by spring,
the matter of adjusting matters is
most difficult.
While IT is the plan of all to econ
omize in conducting the baseball busi-
ness next season. 1t Is not likely
the American League clubs will re-
duce the player limit. President John
son Is in favor Of retaining the pres
ent limit Of twenty-five players, be-
cause, as he says, the club owners
do not know how many of those
twenty-five may be taken. by the
government and consequently should
not be cut in number and still fur
ther crippled after the war had taken
men from the various clubs.
That matter, however, along with
the proposed plan of trimming sal
aries, curtailing training trips and
shortening the schedule, will be dis
cussed at the sessions. 1t was the in
tention of the magnates to hold d
night session and wind-up their regu-
lar business tonight, but after learn
ing they would have to remain here
until Friday to meet with the Ma
tional League members, they decided
to abandon the night session and
transact the remaining business
this afternoon.
No trades whatever were made al
the first session, but there was a
rumor to the effect that President
Rupert, of the New York Club. was
dickering with President Ball, of the
st. Louis Club. Rupert admitted he
would like to procure Derrill Pratt
the sturdy second baseman of the
Browns, and as Pratt had trouble in
st. Louis and still has suit of $780,.
900 along with player Lavan pendine
against President Ball for alleged
statements of not giving his best
services to the club, it is supposed
that such a deal might be made.
The names of New York players t.
be offered exchange were no
mentioned. President Dunno anC
Manager Fohl, of Cleveland, were in
a mood to do some trading. but gave
out no information on what the!
wanted.
One of the important measure
taken up at the first session was
means of collecting the war tax OF
passes to the ball parks, and it wa
Announced that an understanding ha'
been reached upon the matter, bu
at present the way of collection wa
not given out.
1t was o'clock in the Afternoon
before the meeting was called t
Z order because President Minor, o
Washington Club, was delayed in ar
riving.