South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-14
A. |. STICKS To
25-PLAYER LIMIT
MagnateS Also Vote to Con-
tinue Spring Trips - Meet
National Heads Today.


the 25-player limit and continue
ton OF the usual spring training
trips was decided upon at the clos
ing session Of the American league
meeting Thursday night The club
owners cleared up these points in
preparation for the Joint meeting
with the National leaEuers here Fri
day Summarized the important
questions 10 be considered by the
16 club owners Of the two leagues
are:
The ACCESSIBILITY OF reducing the
playing schedule 90 40 games
The advisablity Of "a 154-game
schedule running only five and a
half months.
Devising a method 70 collect the
federal war tax.
Settlement Of the financial obli-
cations resulting from the Federal
league war.
Suggestion Of a new division Of
The world series receipts.
Inserting a war clause i'm the play
ers' contracts TO protect the club
owner In the event the player is
called into the national army.
Federal Backers still Unpaid.
Pres't JohusOn's announcement
that the $4,000 fund agreed upon
10 reimburse hackers OF Federal
league clubs still remained unpaid
caused a surprise. He said that the
American league was ready to pay
its share-$55 >, OOO-at once. but that
the entire issue would have 20 be
settled by the club owners Of the
twO leagues Friday. II was reveal
ed that Edward Gwinner who lost
heavily In backing the Pittsburgh
club OF the Federal league. is 20 re-
ceive $4,000 OF the fund and the
balance Is 10 be divided between
Harry Sinclair, who financed the
Newark club, and the Ward estate
II New York. which supported the
Brooklyn Federals.
Oppose World Series Split.
The suggestion advanced by the
National league that a new division
OF the worlds series receipts be
made did not gain favor with the
American club owners. The Nation
al league proposes To- limit the
amount the players Of the contend
ing clubs receive and divide the re-
mainder among the players OF the
four leading clubs in the two
leagues. Pres't Johnson said he be-
lieved this proposal probably would
be voted down by the American
leaguers. who thought that the
"spOils should 80 20 the victors.'
johnson Favors War Clause.
Pres't Johnson favored war
clause inserted in contracts for the
1913 season. The clause will include
All drafted or enlisted players TO the
extent OF protecting the club own
ers The latter would be absolved
from all salary obligations i'm the
event the player enlists or is draft
ed But II the player returns TO the
game after being discharged from
military service he must consider
himself still bound 20 the club with
which he last signed.
While IL is regarded as practically
certain that the two leagues will de-
eide ou 154-game schedule for
next season, August Hermann.
president Of the Cincinnati Nation
ais and chairman OF the national
baseball commission, advised the
American league executive over the
long distance telephone that the
question Of "a schedule still was open
with the National leaguers Pres't
johnson favors a 14O-game sched-
uIc and viii make fight for IT, but
probably will be obliged 20 accede
to the wishes of the older crEa MIA
ton. as both leagues use the same
park in New York
Plan bat and Ball Funds.
After agreeing TO retain the pres
emit player limit. the American
IeaGuers decided 10 hold a bat and
BALI fund day I'm every city i'm the
league next June twenty-five per
cent or the gross receipts will be do
mated 20 the fund for the purchase
of baseball paraphernalia for Amer
lean soldiers. Pres't Johnson also
announced that the league would
raise fund 20 buy baseball equip
meut for Canadian soldiers.
The Philadelphia clubs OF the
American and National leagues viii
play ar exhibition game early in the
eeaso~ 10 raise a fund for the widow
~ William G. Weart Of Philadel-
phia. secretary to the Base ball Writ
FRS association. who died recently
The suggestion for the benefit game
was made by Connie Mack man
Rger OF the Philadelphia Americans
RACINE. Wis, Dec. 14.-Homer
smith. a young Michigan heavy
weight, measuring six feet two
Inches. will attempt 20 slam his way
into ring fame here Monday night.
NC 10 lie VIII racn BII Rrnr-