The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-11-22
BASEBALL EXECUTIVE WILL ASK EXEMPTION FOR STAR PLAYERS OF BOTH LEAGUES
Ban Johnson to Appeal to
 GOvernment for a Special Dispensation From the Army Draft Measure, That
 Standard of Play May Be
 Maintained During War.

Maintained During war.
 Chicago. Nov. z7-Ban B. Johnson xn<eaadent of the American League, ~<ter a conference with the National i. .<~nurntssion and club, -, owners, will n<k the United States government to t<nempt z8s players in the two major f1eaxues from the army draft measure
 He will ask IS players for each c1nb- If, the government refuses { Iohnson saya conditions will be DOT <dsr1ng on the, chaotic, with the Hchnnces all against maintaining the mort on anything like it's present 1lxh standard.
 Tine remedy of pooling players so < hs to equalize the teams or the olI- <xrrent leagues in case some are hit E1Z-y<7ez than others by the National Army draft does not appeal to Presi- FrS~r,4 Johnson. on account of the cer- k1sdnty that the public would regard EH as a reversion to syndicate base In statfng the proposition yester- ~. President Johnson admitted the <,1r&usr,ste nature of the suggested nrrnedy and the criticism to which it frn*rht be subjected by other enter lDrfses afrected by the a-my draft. but 7osfiied it by the uniquep osition oc- cupted by professional baseball.
 Almost 90 per cent. of the players 1n< the two major leagues are eligible ><o the National Army draft so far as &KH is concerned, and, unlike other <1ssfnesses, the places of the star .>I<vers cannot be filled by men who <I outside the age limits.
 $hort1y after the United States de- 1Iared war on Germany, President { Tobnson publicly offered to close the xrxtas of the American League ball Y r&fks and make all the players free fo serves the country if they choose. Presfxent Wilson .~ at the time re- Y &u8nded with an expressed wish that ;oorts be contin1ed "as usual" so far r04 was possible. on account of their ,benefcia1 effect on the mental, moral Y nnd physical condition of citizens o1 n<I ages and classes. What response 1 w11I be made to Johnson's forthcom. Int Suggestion ito make a special dis p<nsatfon in favor of baseball can u6< be guessed Johnson said yes :;ts5ey: sss5s ,,..,., .. i14 present standard unless we car q ITE<I4n a La1f pEokfO1V4On or the SIal k.playsrs who have been developed b, years of training.
 IT consider Is men sufficient fol kany ma3or ieaEne team, and if eacf &mansszer were aifowed to pick hi! Euuota of f3 dt would be his own faul E1f he fef1 below tho major league
 #~T1m ETpe the r1vers now un tr fIo, <u1ator leagues we would. gladly do 4uate to the nation if 1t wants them 3&nd there probably are not less thar Ik men under reservation to each O. @<he Is clubs at present. most O. %them within the draft limit as to age
 And. an unknown bench warme em1Eht be better soldier in tn, H<x4nches than a star pitcher or nlxhmpdon bafs1nan.
 TT realize that only small per o1utAse of the major league bal1play &41 VIII be exempt from service O %So1ne sort under the new regulations
 w1a1ch nuI1ify all previous exemptions
 "Some teams are bound to be hi much harder than others, however 4&nd there is almost no way to pro kv1de for an equalization of tean
 strength in advance, without sub 5&rting the game to the stigma o Z expdica4fsm-
 In eome form or other baseball 1 :. bound to survive the war. The out look for next year is that 1t will b up to the major leagues to continu
 the sport I do not think there is
 chance in the world that any mino
 Hague will go through the season un 1ass there is a. sudden realization
 Amng the. club owners of the condi
 ttons that confront them and ( greater disposition to curtafl tha 4 has been shown as yet.
 1T think 1t an excellent idea to pu tt up to the government to decid what standard of baseball shall con
 tfnue, and you. may be sure tn
 American League wiQ accept the de
 czsion without protest.
 What we want to know is wha
 pInns to make for the future, then "
 can make them with greater assu,
 nx1ce than if matters are left t chance and to the uncertainties C
 the army draft"
 PreEdent Johnson announced tn
 date of the American League meet { ing for Dec. 12. and 1t will be hel
 1n Chicago at the Congress Hotel 8
 Formerly.
 This is one day later than the Ma
 fiona1 League meeting, which is t
 be held in New York.