Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-08
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

| Ban Johnson will leave Washington
| this afternoon for Cincinnati without
| having been granted hearing by a con-
gressional committee in regard to the
proposed clause in the revenue bill impos-
/ ing a tax upon base ball. The American
League head is going to Cincinnati to
confer with August Hermann, to clear
up some matters now before the national
commission, of which the latter is chair
man johnson expects to return to
Washington later
| There is no opposition in the ranks of
organized base ball to the plan to tax It,
Johnson said today. But we naturally
are concerned that the levy imposed be
| fair and equitable. l cannot conceive
| that Congress will proceed with the con-
sideration of that part of the revenue pili
which will affect base ball without hear
| ing some one familiar with the sport ana
/ learning just what conditions are | nave
| been given no assurance that the senate
| finance committee or any subcommittee
! of either branch of Congress VIII hear
representatives of base ball when con-
sideration of the tax is taken up, but
needless to say l would be glad to come
to Washington at any time to 1urnish
any information that might be desired OF
me-
Before boarding the 4:o5 o'clock train
for Cincinnati johnson planned to Visit
President II. II. Frazee of the Boston
club to learn what could be done in the
matter of obtaining a drill sergeant LOT
the Red SoX, now the only team in the
American League not receiving mill
tary instruction. Johnson realizes that
there are but few officers available Tor
such purposes just at the present time.
but said he was confident he would be
able to have one assigned to the Red
SoX if he were able to see Gen. Mccain
President FraZee is in hearty accord
with the military instruction move
ment, and today said he was hopeful
that sergeant or corporal could De
assigned to his team before it left here
tomorrow evening for Detroit. where 1t
opens its invasion of the western end
of the circuit.
President Frazee regards the chances OF
his club in the league race as exceeding
ly bright" He was not so reucent IN
discussing the subject as Manager Barry
Il think the Red SoN are the best team
in either league today, he said IT Is
a well balanced outfit, and with three
such pitchers as Leonard, Ruth and
Shore should be able to take the measure
of any club in the circuit. Leonard right
now is in the best shape OF his career
and has furnished by far the best brand
of pitching of any of the teams hurlers,
Notwithstanding Ruth's superior record IN
the matter of games won. Leonard mas
allowed an average of less than one run
to a game thus far. but has been pitted
to offer in the way of pitchers. as for in
stance in the game he lost to the
Yankees when Mogridge staged his no
hit performance. Three great pitchers
really are enough for a smart club like
the Sox but we have other twiriers-
Mays is one of the best relief pitchers in
the business, and both Pennock ana
Wyckof are sure to be heard from. Then
there is George Foster. When in form
there is no better pitcher than the Cal
ifornian, and soon as warm weather
sets in he can be counted upon to display
all his old-time stuff.
According to George Tebeau. owner
of the Kansas City team of the Amerl-
can Association. there Will be no meet
ing of the organization at the present
time to consider a policy of retrench-
ment. he declaring that his club, In
danapolis. Toledo, Louisville and CO.
lumbus all are opposed to meeting
for sucn purpose However, Gresi-
admit that the players would be asked
to accept reduction in salaries. after
a conference with six of the eight
managers of teams in the circuit, said
the situation confronting the club own
ers would be placed before the players
and owners alike. He denied that a
plan to cancel part of the schedule
had even been contemplated, although
the league had lost $4,000 because of
postponements within the last ten days.
In a statement issued ip Chicago he
said:
IF the government imposes a tax
on base ball and the war situation
cuts down the attendance it will be
absolutely necessary for US to re-
trench.
Hickey is in Milwaukee today for a
conference with the owners of the Mil
waukee and Columbus clubs and ex-
poets to see Tebeau in Kansas City
tomorrow. Jack Hendricks, manager of
the Indianapolis club. and Joe Tinker,
president and manager. of the Column
bus club, are said to be opposed to
reduction in players salaries or cut
ting down the player limit from sew
enteen to fifteen. but it would appear
that something has to be done il the
American Association is to continue in
business.
Of ha Jri1