Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-22

American League would gladly give ur
each Of the clubs was permitted to ret
make seven men from each club availat
as the player limit last season was tw'
Neither the American nor National
League could hope to keep up the usual
high standard of the game IL some Of
the clubs were riddle5 through the
draft, and other teams. composed of
older and perhaps married men. were
untouched. Base ball il eager to do its
part. but we would like to be assured
Of players of quality on every club.
Otherwise the pennant races would be
very onesided. Take, for instance. the
championship Chicago club. Virtually
every member of the team called in
Of dependency. The team probably will
be intact next season, as a majority OF
the players are married or have other
dependents"
To further illustrate his point John
son cited the fact that some of the
other clubs, Cleveland. Boston and
Philadelphia, particularly. have suf-
fered severely through loss of players
as result of the war. nine of the In
dams being in or about to enter the
Army. half a dozen of the Mackmen
being eligible for service. and at least
four of the Red Sox, including Manager
Jack Barry, having entered the Navy.
johnson announced without qualiflca-
tions that the American League club
owners when they meet In Chicago
December IL to consider war policies
will lop fourteen games OFF the sche-
dule and arrange to play 40 contests
instead Of the customary 154 games
with the opening of the season set Tor
about the LIST of May. some three weeks
later than usual. The executive warned
that measures to Offset the effects OF
hn fnfr h M a
wherever possible, and indicated that II
his plea for the exemption Of certain
players is allowed each club VIII go
through the season with only eighteen
men. exclusive OF the manager.
The fact that a reduction In the
player limit of both leagues is being
contemplated and probably will be put
Into effect for next season has been
known for some time. but cutting the
rosters in the American League will
not be contingent upon Johnson's pro-
posal for the exemption of players.
as it is doubtful whether he Will ever
officially breach the subject to govern
ment authorities. Johnson has earned
the reputation of being one Of the
most far-seeing men connected with
base ball. 1t has been his ability to
feel the pulse of the public and ac-
curately gauge what it wants that is
the success he has attained in building
up the American League. but his power
Of diagnosing sentiment has failed him
in connection with his proposal to seek
ment for base ball. as the fans will
voice their condemnation of such an
unpatriotfc suggestion in no uncertain
manner.
on Germany johnson said the American
League was perfectly willing to close
its gates and put all its players in a
position to serve the country if they
chose. but President Wilson at the
time responded with an expressed wish
that all sports be continued as usual,
SO far as possible, because Of their
beneficial effect on the mental. moral
and physical condition Of all persons.
This evidently has figured largely in
Johnsons calculations, as he says:
ST think It an excellent idea to put it
UP to the government to decide what
standard of base ball shall continue.
and you may be sure the American
League will accept the decision without
q protest. What we want to know is
what plans to make for the future.
then we can make them with greater
assurance than If matters are left to
chance and to the uncertainties Of the
Army draft
Thus does johnson propose to pass
the buck to the government. He says
he realizes that only a small percent
be exempt from service Of some sort
under the new regulations, which null
lily all previous exemptions. and con-
tends there is no other way to provide
for an equalization of team strength
in advance without subjecting the
game to the stigma Of syndicatism
I'm some form or other base ball is
bound to survive the war" johnson
next year is that 1t will be up to the
major leagues to continue the sport.
do not think there is a chance in the
world that any minor league will go
through the season unless there is q
sudden realisation among club owners
and a greater disposition to curtail
than has been shown yet"
johnson said he considered eighteen
men sufficient for any major league
to pick his quota Of eighteen 1t would
be his own fault If he fell below the
major league standard. adding:
IAN unknown bench warmer might
be q better soldier in the trenches than
a star pitcher or champion batter"
John undoubtedly will change his
mind about ofacially taking the matter
up with government authorities. but in
the event that he does broach the sub
ject in Washington 1t will not be done
as q Joint plea for the American and
National leagues, for President Tener
of the parent organization has an
nounced that the National League will
not ask special exemption for any Of
its players and says It Is not in sym
patty with any selfish plan" OF dis
elimination in favor of its business or
Players.
Manager Griffith of the Washington
ball club waa outspoken in his con-
demnation of Johnson's plan.
"As far as the Washington club is
concerned. the United States comes
drst and base ball second" he said