Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-05
BIC LEAGUES TO
CONSIDER PLANS
TO MEET DEC. IS
Hermann aud Johnson Find War
Problems Too Wcighty and
Issue Call for Help.
IN SPLIT OVER THE SCHEDULE
Some Club Owners Favor EconomlL-
Ing on Training Trips and Cut
ting Player Limit.

President Ban Johnson Of the Amer
lean league and Garry Hermann OF
Cincinnati. representing the National,
found too many problems to solve at
their conference yesterday and decia-
ed TO call for help AS a consequence
there will be a Joint meeting OF the
American and National owners IN Chl-
cago Dec. H. AZ this conference the
two organizations will agree on
program for next year
President Johnson was not keen for
the Joint meeting, but Mr.. Hermann
argued that an exchange OK Ideas
would put the game on frmer basis
for next season. The National league
meeting is scheduled for New YORK
Dec. II and the American gathering
here Dec. 70. The owners in the older
circuit, with President Tener. VIII
leave New York on the 18th and reach
here the following morning.
A joint conference was deemed nee
essary when Johnson and Hermann
we're unable to agree on several vital
points affecting the game. The two
were at variance on several policies,
including the playing schedule, play
ers' limit, spring training, salaries,
contracts, opening and closing dates
and certain economic measures.
The head of the junior circuit is
still for short schedule. Hermann
insists that the leagues play l54
games. He said yesterday that pos
sibly he could be persuaded to change
his mind, when he heard arguments
from the other side. The shorter sea-
son, however. does not appeal to Gar
nv because of many hold-oyer con-
tracts.
The question Of the amusement tax
also will be decided on. Passes are
involved in this. Hermann proposed
that each pass holder be compelled to
! buy a book Of government coupons 10
provide for the seasons war tax with
a refund for the passes not used. II
was suggested that no refund be made
and that all surplus funds be turned
over to the Red Cross OF other war
charities. This appealed TO the ma
tional commission chairman as well
as to President Johnson and IL will
likely be adopted.
IL has been estimated by the Gin
cinnati owner that the major leagues
will pay an amusement tax next sea-
son OF $4,000 This is considered
slightly too high by Johnson, although
he stated during the discussion that
hasing next years attendance on this
Cleveland for instance, would contrib
ute $4,000. Eight times this would
make it $2SS,000 for each league, hut
the attendance at Cleveland was neal
the top notch figure for the league.
Although it had been suggested thai
the club owners raise the admissions
to round numbers in order to provide
for the war tax, Mr.. Hermann is op.
posed to this scheme. He argued that
the increase should only be the actua
amount of the tax.
The question of spring training will
be kuotty problem for the league.
TO solve. Hermann, who probably
spoke for the league, suggested tire,
weeks training jaunt Ban johnson
believed that two will be enough Boil
are In accord on the proposition tina
players should be compelled TO get II
condition before they hit the traininl
camps, especially the pitchers.
There will be opposition to the cur
tailed training period. 1t is almost
certainty that both Chicago clubs will
be against it. President Comiskey 0
: the Sox has always figured that eacl
club should regulate the conditioning
of the players. President Weeghmai
holds similar ideas. The Cubs ar
slated for a long trip to California
which would preclude any two or thre
weeks jaunts. The White Sox vii
train in Texas, and the time suggeste
would hardly make the journey wort
while.
The National league will sugges
that the season open April is an
close Oct. 2, which would make it
five and one-half months schedule
This will be strenuously opposed b
the American league on account G
the double-headers involved. AS tn
Yankees play on the Polo grounds
controlled by the National league, tn
American schedule will have to dove
tail into the Nationals and 1t is her
where the older circuit holds the viii
hand.
New Contracts.
An effort will be made to agree o
certain measures OF economies, includ
ing the $3.50 a day allowance for ba
players for meals while on the roat
A new contract with players also
wanted, one which shall provide fc
payment by the month instead Of b
the season. This Is to forestall an
demand of players for full salarie
we're the season TO close before o!
iginally scheduled.
Ban Johnson's suggestion for e,
empting is ball players will be burie
by both leagues. Hermann, alth0ug
he said he was opposed to it, refuse
to discuss il in detail The maiorit
of ne owners will line up with Pre-
dent Comiskey on the proposition.
During the discussion yesterds
President Johnson told Hermann th'
he probably would not be in hasaba
much longer. Hermann laughed (;
the suggestion, but Johnson insiste
that he was in earnest and that /
awaited the call 10 service from II
war department He said that
would no. go unless he was ordere