Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-06
FAVORS 40 GAMES
OVER FIVE MONTHS
Griffith Advocates Cut Re-
gardIess of National League.
Opposes 18-PIayer Limit.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.


If Clark Griffith had his way the
American League would adopt sched-
ule calling for 40 games over Ave
| month basis. regardless of what action
the National League decided to take.
E, Grin is convinced that shortening of
| the season would prove beneficial to
| the game, and can see no reason why
the circuit of which the Washington
club is member should wait upon the
wishes of the National League in this
respect. The local pilot also is in
| favor of a. reduction of the roster limit,
but is opposed to cut to eighteen
players. being of the opinion that this
| number is too few for the proper pro-
lection of club in the matter Of re-
serve strength. Grif thinks twenty or
twehty-one players, exclusive of the
| manager, is about the right number.
Announcement that there will be a
| Joint meeting of the club owners Of
the major leagues in Chicago Decera-
Der ID. made by Chairman Hermann
Of the national commission, following
ms conference with President johnson
| of the American League in Chicago the
other day, was news to Manager Grif-
fifth. who said he had received no noti-
ncat1on OF any such conference. and
Grif cannot quite see where much
good could be accomplished by such a
confab. being of the opinion that the
t aidi League magnates after de-
should adopt whatever policies are APP
proved and allow the National League
TO do as 1t pleases about conforming
to them. In other words the helms
man of the Nationals is convinced that
the American League should maintain
| It's position of leadership in matters
affecting 1t and base ball in general. as
it has done to its benefit in the past
without deferring TO the National
League.
Griffith is going to the league meet
fight for the policies he believes best
adapted to the needs of the times. He
| intends to arrive on the scene. early.
too. Although the meeting is not
Griff plans to leave this city Sunday
afternoon and arrive in Chicago early
Monday evening to confer with the
other team leaders in regard to ques-
ing. and. If possible. line them up for
the policies he believes would prove
most beneficial to the league and the
sport in general. He is confident the
shorter schedule project viii go
through.
"a season of $40 games covering FIVE
| month. is the best possible arrange
ment that could be made" Griff said
by the American League. regardless OF
the attitude of the National League
owners. II President Tener's circuit
wishes to retain the 154 game season
let It do so. 1t would not necessarily
conflict with the American Leagues
shortened campaign. II the National
League decides to open again next year
on April IL or IL and the American
League did not start until April "a or
%. the seasons for each would close
about the same time and there would
be no advantage in regard to the world
series. Neither would there have to be
any conflict in respect to the dates
allotted for the Polo Grounds. where
both New York teams play.
sition voiced at the Chicago meeting to
the shorter-season scheme" Griffith con-
tinued. owing to the fact that some of
the owners have players with hangover
contracts calling for salaries on six
140-game plan probably can be explained
on this score. He has at least half a
dozen players signed up at high figures
on six-month basis for next season. A
tically no long-terIn contracts still in
force. the chances are no opposition will
be in evidence to curtailing the playing
season. For the reason given. some objec-
tons are bound to be made to the plan
next week. but for all that l expect to
see it go through.
Z Reduction Of the player limit to eight
cen men is. in my opinion. too radical 1t
must be taken. but cutting the rosters to
eighteen men is inadvisable 1t does not
leave a manager enough Of margin to
adequately fortify his team with substi-
illness. I think a limit of twenty men,
exclusive of the manager, would be about
right Perhaps twenty-one would be an
even better number.