The Washington times., 1917-06-12

| While We are canceling athletic
schedules, dropping tournaments, and
halting the progress OF sports In 9th.
er ways. suppose we bear in mind
! that only a comparatively few OF US
will be taken away by the war. ons
must be nearly physically perfect TO
pass the service inspectors and a sur
prisingly small percentage are able
to get by. 1t Is up to the others
to keep in the best OF condition and
to better themselves physically in or
der to be eligible for a possible later
draft. Athletic organizations through
out the country are awakening to the
fact that a halt in sports was called
too soon. 1t Is not too late to begia
again.
Melbourne Inman, the famous Eng
lish billiard player, has been ordered
too Join the colors. Inman received
exemption last June on the grounds
that hard work in the army with no
time for practice would injure his
skill. I suppose nearly everyone loses
something by going to war, IL the
service isn't a regular means OF live
lihood. In such a case as lnman's IL
seems that his services as a soldier
are more needed at this time than
his skill as a billiard player.
Mike Rahoe, who left our fair city
yesterday, has much to say OF the
weakness OF the average minor league
baseball player. It's Mikes duty to
find capable youngsters for the Bos-
ton Braves, and he admits, that his
task is a tough one. He says that In
his travels this season SO far he
hasn't seen any players worth mem
tioning in. more than half a breath.
Indeed" says he. there's only a
few minor leagues doing business.
The bad weather this spring has torn
them all apart But the big fellows
will be crying for new talent just as
much as ever. and for the life OF me
l can't say where we'll get en-"
Jess wIllard's passing from the cir
Gus cause few regret. He has dome
his bit" toward making the boxing
game look ridiculous. He has gath
cred to himself much money. which
would suit most OF us, but In doing
so he has ruined the game for many
others. Benny Leonard measures up
more to our idea OF what champion
should look lIke-a hearty, manly
little fellow seeking 10 enlist in his
country's service. As matter OF
fact, II somebody were TO take all the
heavyweight boxers in the United
States out into the ocean and then
scuttle the ship. nobody would worry
much about II.
II the Chicago White Sox win the
pennant this season II Will be because
the Postcn led SoX nre "donr." II
won't be because OF their own inner
ent strength. Numbering some OF the
best batsmen of the game In their line
up, they don't make records for slug
ging. Numbering some OF the pest
pitchers In the game, they are run
ming along at the top because those
pitchers are doing all the WORK. GIVE
the White SoK mediocre pltching ana
they would fnish IN the secoha oi-
vision. It's the pitching that Is Keep
ing the team in the race Tor the nag.
The trial in Philadelphia Is causing
more or less comment around the
country. Some think that ORGANIZED
baseball has everything to lose ana
nothing 20 gain by going into court
against the Baltimore Feos ana should
have compromised the case. FINE
business! But, II organized oaseoail
is the clean, upright sport II claims
10 be-and have no doubt about it-l
what can Il lose by showing the en-
tire country through the medium OF
the United states court that II has
nothing 10 conceal? From this angle.
organized baseball IL right IN fighting
to the end an iusidious influence that