New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-24
Ban Johnson S
Exemption Plan
Anglers Players
Baseball World Indignant
Over Suggestion of Ameri-
can League President
By W. ]. Macbeth


world continues to pour forth against
Ban Johnson, American League presi-
dent, because Of his suggestion that
the government should be asked to
spare from the military draft 2sS major
league players.
The following letter. received yester-
day, is typical Of the attitude Of the
profession. 1t is doubtful IL any PLAY
ment in subscribing his name to the
missive:
New York City, Nov. %, 1917.
Sporting Editor. New York Tribune.
"Dear Sir: The absurd request
which Mr.. johnson proposed TO make
70 the authorities in Washington is
beyond words Even Mr.. Joseph Can
non would find il hard TO md words
70 describe the feelings OF the play
ers.
Ball players are Americans. We
players accept the proposal as an
insult His proposal WAS never born
among the players; neither would II
be accepted or entertained by US.
When our government says IL IL
your turn to sacrifice you may res.
assured we will assume the RESPONSE
bility with the same spirit as the men
who have already gone over. We will
also play a game in Berlin and invite
'ki-Bil' 70 sell peanuts.
Ready To Do Share
"How could Mr.. Johnson--when
probably one-fourth of the 2ss would
fall far below the standard-ad 'ust
these conditions. especially ~aen
he has thrown out OF employment
many men who no doubt could
strengthen his teams Let expenses,
salaries and dividends be reduced in
proportion to fit the gate receipts.
Then the fan will feel that baseball
is doing its share. Fans are to the
game what nature is TO Us. You can
not fool either one. Tie game will
continue TO live and grow greater
than ever the sooner we all do our
best 20 win the war in the shortest
period possible. We players are ready
to do our share.
Remember. Ne players are trained
in the greatest OF competitive sports
to give our best TO the fans in peace
times and our all TO Uncle Sam IN
war time.
please, Mr.. Fan, forget Mr.. John
sons proposal, as the players will
put down the bat and take a gun
whenever Uncle Sam says the word
We players have a mind OF our own
on affairs outside of baseball, and
need no proposals from Mr. Johnson.
Yours sincerely, A BALL PLAYER"
Friends Of Ban Johnson are com
pletely AZ loss to explain the inter-
view credited 10 him in Chicago. Those
who know well the American League
executive could not doubt his patriot
ism and will TO 60 TO any length 20
assist the government. Las. Spring
Mr.. johnson left It TO the government
IS to whether or not the American
League should operate during the sea-
son Of 1917.
His friends are hopeful that John
sons remarks were misconstrued by
those writers with whom he talked
Otherwise Ban will have some very
serious explaining to do when he con-
fronts his eight constituents who,
almost 70 man, have publicly repudi-
ated the very idea Of trying 10 in
huence leniency in the draft Of ball
players.
Mistakes of Johnson
II Johnson IL unable TO indicate
himself he will find that his uncalled-
for announcement has undermined the
tremendous influence he had been able
to WELD heretofore IN his circuit.
Apparently the two most serious
mistakes Of Johnsons career have oc-
Cured within the past week. The first
was his suggestion Of the pooling Of
players and resources--an indorse-
ment Of syndicate baseball, In other
words.
When Ban johnson spilled III.
classic bone" Of the winter league he
loft an opening for his rival, OF which
John X. Tener was not slow 70 avail
himself.
However. II Johnson is unable with
in the next couple OF weeks 70 square
himself with his colleagues and the
public, the harmony which has existed
years may be somewhat disturbed. For
Johnson is Of a yindictiye nature snd
must feel kcenly the ridiculous po-
sition In which he has placed himself
Indeed, few jarring notes had dis
turbed the atmosphere before Big Ban
fell from grace. The rival major
league presidents had almost come TO
grips on the schedule proposition.
Johnson declares the American League
will play only $40 games, no matter
what the National League may do.
Tener seems quite as positive that his
club owners will hold out for 1874.
II the leagues do not wish to break
relations. ore side or the other must
give way. Certainly. the two must open
the season at the same time. One cowid
not afford to remain inactive with the
other playing. There IL nothing 70
prevent the American League elosine
two weeks earlier than the National
But such a plan would greatly ham
dicsp the pennsnt winner Of Johnson's
circt.it Ter tha rn-iL