New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-20
MILITARY PLANS
OF BALL PLAYERS
PLEASE MACON
Southern Training City
Pledges Support to Hus-
toms Yankee Soldiers
BY w. J. MACBETH

noon Tor OulCdEO ~ NoSNi'S N'' = y
of the military plans of his four West
ern clubs. Captain I. l.. Huston, Of
the Yankees, will supervise the cam
uaicn for the Eastern division.
The captain and myself" said Mr..
Johnson, Just before he boarded his
train. "have mapped out a course OF
action within the last few days that
Is bound 10 show great results.
"The American League club owners
have not entered into this thing in any
spirit Of levity All have pledged their
heartiest cooperation. A great deal OF
the success Of the venture now rests
with the players. But ! am sure that
our club owners and managers can
point out the great physical and moral
advantages in a way that will appeal 70
the sense of pride and loyalty of their
followers. =,
"You will understand, Of course"
Mr. Johnson continued, that we have
no thought of making the military
course compulsory. We would not nave
the power or right to do so II we chose'
But we can make 1t an object Tor the
bows TO go in with US in the spirit with
which his associates have fallen IN
with Captain Huston's plan. ! think
] know my American League players
well enough to Trophesy that there will
not be bit Of tagging IN any OF the
eight spring camps"
Army Officials Pleased
High officials Of the United States
army have congratulated the American
LeaCue on it's hearty Endorsement of
the scheme for military training by the
plavers. The city Of Macon, Ga, where
the Yankees will train, appears unusu-
allv enthusiastic. Well wishing citi-
zens of that place have not only
pledged whatever military equipment
may be necessary from the militia, but
profnisc to interest one or more com
panies of the townsfolk to attend the
drills.
In order to make arrangements for
military instruction at all eight Amer
lean League training camps Captain
Huston cancelled trip TO Dover Han
lie will devote the rest of the week
before his team leaves for the South
10 the welfare Of his Eastern associates
&C the American League.
zone point has not been brought out
clearly in the published stories OF the
proposed military training for the
American League bali players" said
Captain Huston Yesterday. 1--WE wish
not only TO have a fine body of physl-
callv fitted young men ready to assume
rne positicns of commissioned officers
that their intelligence and quick wit
would Justify after a short time OF
proper training. but feel that an exam
ME of patriotism from a band OF young
men so highly regarded in the pubic
mind could not fail to have a farreach-
ing influence in all branches of social
and business life in case this country
in the future should be really menaeed
by foreign power"
1--WE believe that the people Of the
Southern cities where American League
clubs will train will cooperate in every
possible manner. II is quite as easy
for competent drill master TO teach
military tactics to several hundred men
as IL is to teach a small squad. We
count upon the civil population, un-
schooled in maneuvres, to join hands
with the ball players. The advantages
will be mutually profitable"
Plan Trophies for Drills
That the American League club own
ers one and all are most serious in
planning military drills to be continued
throughout the playing season and fur
Their at d pretentious general camp
somewhere in the South Immediately
after the world series could not be
doubted after a talk with Mr.. John
son. The president Of the American
League would not say whether or not
any form of mercenary lure would be
provided. IL would not be at all sur
prising. however, If Mr.. Johnson's
club owners would contribute to a mil
itary fund some percentage of gate re-
ceipts of certain special days toward
covering actual expenses of their men
and 70 provide trophies for military
competition on certain state occasions
throughout the season. So soon as the
players report TO the training camps the
whole proposition will be put squarely
up to them. The players will be asked
TO appoint representatives TO the gen.
eral boards of strategy which will be
in charge of the various military schools
for the players in the South and else
where.
The National Commission announced
in detail its action on the various re-
quests for reform asked by the minor
league clubs. There were nine separate
requests, great many Of which gained
some form Of recognition. The request
for relief from draft on Class "A
leagues was denied, but the drafting
system was modified. Hereafter major
league clubs will be requested to name
individual players. Cancellations Of
draft must be made Immediately in
future, where formerly the majors had
four days grace.
The drafting season has been set
back from September Is 10 September
90 and draft results will not be an
nounced until after the close Of the
minor league seasons. 1t will be OPP
tional with minor league club owners
whether drafted players report TO the
drafting clubs before the close Of the
season. The commission has granted
the minor leagues representation on
a new board TO hear disputes which
involve the interests Of both major
and minor league clubs.
Secretary John b. Foster, Of the
Giants. has ordered all Of McGraw's
rockies who reside in the East 70 assem-
bic in this city in time 10 start TO Mar
lin, Tex, over the New York Central at
10 o'clock Friday morning. These rock
les, a corps Of newspaper men and club
officials will pick up another class Of
colts at St. Louis on Saturday. A train
de luxe, leaving the Mound City over
the Iron Mountain al G:25 p. m. Satur-
day, Is expected 20 get the first Giant
squad into camp in time for dinner
Sunday.