The Washington herald., 1917-05-06
Many People Throughout the
Country Are Contributing to
Nationals Pilot S Cause.
By JOHN A. DUGAN.

BY JOHN a. DUGAN.
Clark c. Grintn's advocacy of the
plan to supply baseball equipment TO the
boys who will be IN training camps for
many moons hence. has gained great
encouragement from various parts Of the
country.
Particularly are the road companions
OF Grin enthusiastic in the scheme he
advocates. Red Sox players. to a man,
have contributed, while out in Minneap-
oils Joe Cantillon has busted himself
among his men and the ardent rooters
OF Minnesota and a goodly sum has
been sent TO Grin Mayor Tom A. Fisher
Of Alexandria, Is setting up a purse for
the cause, and reports that Alexandrisns,
especially those who have seen SER 'ce
as he has. are most anxious for he
boys IN the field having the play-t vs.
they want In the way of bats, balls
gloves. etc, as they know what 1t means
to crave for a game for means of re-
taxation and not have the proper ac-
eouterment TO pull on an inning or three.
"All work and no play makes Jack
dull boy" said Grif yesterday. "a re-
cruit. learning the intricaeies OF the war
game. whereby he may be enabled to
be OF beneft to the cause he has en-
listed In becomes more proficient and
happier set when he realizes that after
the grind OF the days practice in the
war game he may indulge in the game
that Is near his hearts desire, his ma
tive game OF baseball
Grin VIII get President Wilson's ap-
proval Of his splendid missionary work.
and as all OF the Cabinet officers are
ardent fans their souls desire will be
10 see Clark Griffith successful in his
broadcast plea for the comfort and re-
taxation Of the men behind the gun.
TIL Union Savings Bank. OF this city,
Na dNu~fr1 .NT e..
are sent to Mr.. Griffith, and publica-
ton Of the names Of contributors will
be printed next Sunday.
The second game OF the series with
Black Jack Barrys champion Red
sox was postponed yesterday because of
the weather conditions. The Old Fox
was anxious to hold the contest and did
not call OF the game until shortly be-
fore noon. The falling weather together
with the coldnesJ made the staging OF
the battle imposs bic.
The world champions are here for three
days this week. Babe Ruth, who turned
in FIVE victories TO date, will no doubt
do the honors against the Nationals in
the game tomorrow. The Old Fox stated
last night that IL Ruth is named by
Barry for the mound duties that he
would send Walter johnson to the mound
winning streak Of the big southpaw.
The members OF the Red Sox were yes
terday introduced to Speaker Champ
Clark. of the House of Representatives..
by Representative James Calvin, Of Mas
sachuettes-
Tom Mccarthy, the scout of the Boston
Red Sox. was visitor here last week
and looked over a few college ball play
ers. Although the State College team is
the only local college that is now play
ing out its schedule, Mccarthy Claims
to have talked with quite a few of the
youngsters in local ranks and from good
sources comes the report that the Red
Sox scout is now dickering for a prom
inent Georgetown player.
Minor league magnates are today de-
hating plan forstered by President
Johnson, of the American League, and
Edward Barrow. OF the International
League, to abolish minor circuits, so the
big leagues may keep their parks open.
Some believe that the time is now ripe
to prepare for war. Others would wait
until next year.
II Is almost certain conscription will
break up many clubs thorugh loss Of star
players. The suggestion made by John
son and Barrow is that in such an event
the minor leagues be closed and enough
players secured from all sources to fiill
the vacancies in the big leagues, thus
permitting baseball to continue during the
war.
BY next season most of the minor
leagues will be willing to close for year
or even two. They have not been doing
well for several seasons now.
The investments in the minor leagues
are comparatively small, and the proper
ties could lie idle.
\
not be as good as at preesnt, by a dis
tribution of players the clubs would still
make a close and interesting race. At
the same time the club owners could get
men at smaller contracts, and in other
ways reduce their expenses so as to pull
through the war period.
President johnson will not offer this
suggestion to the leagues until 1t is seen
just how much baseball is affected by
the war and conscTiption.