New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
National Game
Being Hurt by
Calamity ak
Ban Johnson's Mistake Has
Seriously Injured His
League
---ByW. !. Macbeth

calamity talk.
Ban Johnson, president of the
American League, is usually most as
tute and farseeing diplomat. Yet in
few hours last week he damaged his
fine circuit-through lot of loose talk
that appears TO have been somewhat
misrepresented-so severely that O
whole winter Of wisdom can scarce re-
trieve the error.
Johnson's mistake doubtless was one
Of the head Cor better, the tongue)
rather than of the heart. He has shown
in too many ways the proper drift OF
his loyalty and patriotism to be doubted
at this late hour. Johnson's suggestion
for exemption of players came from no
personal, selfish motives. He must
have had in view something broader
than an avenue of escape for physically
fitted men Of martial ability
Among First to Respond
When war was declared Ban johnson
was one of the very first TO throw his
weight into the line of suggestions for
having the profession do it's bit, ever
before the selectiye draft proposition
had been conceived. II was largely his
influence in support of Captain T. l.
Illusions plan Of military training for
all the American League clubs that
made the venture the tremendous sue
cess it proved. The military activities
of American League clubs proved a
wonderful stimulus to recruiting, a
fact attested by those high in army
authority.
Johnson was so wrapped in military
ardor that he put the proposition OF
operating the American League strictly
up to the government. He would have
seen that his parks were locked if it
had been deemed advisable. The sim
cerity and integrity of man who has
l clean record of fifteen years behind
him cannot be impugned-certainly not
condemned without hearing.
Yet the fact cannot be denied that
Ban Johnson. whatever his intent. has
injured his league. if not baseball as a
whole His suggestion of exemption
for players. repudiated by practically
every baseball man of standing, was the
second of two false steps within a
week. His first was the intimation that
il might be necessary TO syndicate the
national game during the amusement
depression of the war-to pool financial
and player resources.
But johnson has not been alone in
handing out injurious talk, trifing as
it may have appeared to him at the
time. No doubt others. like Johnson,
have been misunderstood in certain
cases. There was 2 case right here in
New York last week.
William +. Baker, president of the
Philadelphia National League club, paid
an Official call upon League President
John X. Tener. While with the eXecu
tive he strongly deplored the fact that
baseball was not given rest during
the off season.
Talk Too Much
Baseball men of responsible posi-
tons talk too much" declared Mr..
Baker. "The business end, in which
the public is not interested one whit,
is aired from every conceivable angle.
Scarehead lines are built around fnan-
cial news of the ame-players' salaries
anG the like.
at is true that baseball under these
irving times must be conducted along
more economical lines. But let US
effect the needed reforms without talk
!ng so much about it. The remedy Is
easy enough and lies within our grasp
This was a mighty fine bit OF logic
on the part of William T. Baker. 1t
was such advice as would help nightly
~ adhered to generally. Yet Mr.. Baker,
In spite of his fine resolutions. went
right out from Mr.. Tener and an
nouneed the most STRIKING "wolf' story
OF the season. lie said he would advo-
cate for National League contracts a
clause giving the employer power TO
terminate OK revise salary obligations
If the season Of 1918 proved so disas-
trous, financially. as expected.
The professional baseball season has
grown TO a state where public interest
Is no longer confined to any particular
period. II commands the attention OF
readers all the year round. It's politics
are followed quite as closely through
out the winter as its scores of the sum
nertime. II news matter detrimental
20 the health Of the sport creeps into
ynoguis do not muzzle Reconsideration
the owners and officials are strictly 70
blame.
Baseball is being talked TO death.
Ed Barrow's secret mission through
the West has the local circle puzzled
II is believed the International League
president, baked in his attempt fol-
minor league territorial revision before
the National Association meeting al
Louisville, is joining certain Middle
Western forces for renewal Of the
fight in the very near future.
That some leaven is at work among
the American Association magnate'
who blocked redistricting, and with il
the proposed iation-Internstiona
amalgamation, is limited already
Thomas Hickey, Association president
saw IL 20 deny yesterday rumor which
associated his name with the business
management Of one Of the Association
clubs which was 20 have had a fran
chise IN the new circuit resulting from
the merger.
Pretty smart baseball writers Of the
Middle West are Of the opinion thai
American Association opposition 10 this
merger plan night easily have beer
oyerridden had the sponsors Of the new
circuit produced little Of that which
talks loudest 20 most magnates-th,
sign OF the eagle.
Through the dreary years OF his fgh-
with the Federal League Ed Barrow
displayed sheer wizsrdry in the art 0,
digging up capital. Otherwise, the In
ternational League would have hect