New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-15
No Cause for Alarm Over
War, Say Magnates-
No Retrenchment

curtailment of The playing season, no
slashinc Of the playcr-limi;. nor limi-
;ation Of the training season in the ma
.or leagues next year.
The club owners of the National and
American leagues decided at their joint
meeting here to-day that there was no
cause for alarm about baseball at pres
ent. They agreed that II the war forces
them to retrcnch, it will be time
enough 70 adopt war policy when they
actually face conditions.
The two leagues decided TO open the
1918 season on Tuesday, April l6,
week later than last year, and to play
a 154-gamc schedule, which has been
The programme for years.
The National League agreed TO the
American League plan for the collection
Of the Federal war tax. II was decided
20 collect only what the government i'm
posses cents on blescher seats, 3 cents
on pavilion seats, S cents on grand
stand and 10 cents on box seats.
The leagues also decided TO collect r
l0-cent tax on every free admission.
New World Series Plan
There is every indication that tho
plan for a new division Of the world
series prize, which previously had been
opposed by President Johnson Of the
American League, Will be adopted.
President Johnson and August Herr
mann. president Of the Cincinnati Ma
tionals and chairman Of the National
Baseball Commission, we're empowered
70 act on the advisability Of adopting
the plan, which provides that the four
first division clubs in the two leagues
shall share in the purse.
IL was much impressed with the
thought" President Johnson said to-
night. 81. came from Mr.. Hermann,
and I believe I shall vote for it. We
purpose pooling the world series
money, and also the receipts Of city
series. which will make a rich prize"
Chairman Hermann believes the
plan viii produce more spirited race
ln both leagues.
There will be something for the Sec
ond. third and fourth clubs TO fight
for II they are to share IN the prize
Hermann said. "Pennant races often
are decided q month or so before the
. cIese OF the season and interest IN the
clubs out o. the fight usually !ags. II
the plan is adopted there will be no
tagging.
"Basing my figures on the world Sc
ries receipts last season, the players
on the club finishing second Will get
approximately $500 each. The members
of the fourth club will receive some
thing like $500 each. Il is proposed
chat the prize shall be divided on a
60 and 40 per cent basis. Sixty per
cent OF the winning share Will, OF
course, 90 TO the championship CLUB.
The balance viii be divided among the
other teams
Player Limit Same
The tight for a 14O-game schedule
next season came principally from the
American Leaguers, as its adoption had
been advocated By President Johnson.
The Junior organization, however, was
strongly opposed TO any reduction IN
the player limit. It was commended that
the National Army draft might cut
deeply into the clubs before next sea.
SON. and under these circumstances 1t
would be unwise to make any changes.
Some of the National League club own
crs sought to have the two leagues
agree on limit Of twenty or twenty
one players. The present limit oil
twenty-five players in the American
League and twenty-five IN the Na'lohai
Will be maintained.
President Johnson said the subject
of paying the $4,000 debt TO hackers
of the Pittsburgh, Newark and Brook
Ign clubs Of the Federal League was
not brought up at to-day's meeting. lie
said the issue probably will be settled
by the individual leagues. The Amer
can League is ready to pay its share
S55OOO-any time, he said.