The Washington herald., 1918-07-23

Cleveland. Ohio, July 22.-Americans
League magnates meeting here today
ordered President Ban johnson to ap-
pear before Provost Marshal General
Crowder at Washington Wednesday,
when the National Commission will
present its arguments to the general
as to why the work or fight order
affecting professional busebaIl FIay-
ers should not become effective at
once.
The magnates met here prepared to
close their parks for the season, but
on receipt of word from Washington
that a final decision would ne hand
ed down Wednesday, took no action
on closing or continuing with players
over the draft age.
At the meeting were President
johnson, Connie Mack, Robert Quinn,
of St Louis; Col. Rupert, of New
York: F. J. Navin, of Detroit: Harry
Grabiner, of Chicago, and ]. c. Dunn,
Of Cleveland.
President johnson reiterated his
order to American League clubs
to continue playing scheduled games
until further orders from him. This
will not affect the Indians who have
no games scheduled until Thursday.
President Dunn Of the Indians. how
ever. said that il the decision at
Washington bears out that of Sec
retary Baker of last Saturday, the
Cleveland Park will remain closed.
Johnson will go to Washington
Wednesday with Gary Hermann
and John K. Tener. of the National
League. johnson and Herman left
here tonight to attend the National
League melting in Pittsburgh to-
morrow.
Fandom, along with organized base
ball, is banking heavily on the one
principle that the professional major
league games should be continued.
Chairman HERMAN is seeking an in
terview with President Wilson, which
he hopes to obtain through influential
sources today. 1t is Chairman Herri-
mans idea on which the league are
working today to appear before the
National Commission and obtain
two months and fifteen days respite
to play in which to clean up the big
league slate.
Herriman's argument will be based
on the fact that last spring the clubs
entered into an agreement with their
men all in good faith. At that time
1t was suggested for the leagues to
discontinue, but Secretary Tumulty
gave out statement to the effect that
President Wilson saw no reason why
professional baseball should be cur
tailed.
further analysis of Gen. Crow
der'S latest order also has encouraged
a number of club owners and man.
ayers to stick it out for the present.
In this order the Provost Marshal
ball players would not be called out
on the instant and from now on the
matter was in the hands of the local
boards. Gen. Crowder said this
would take the players out of the
leagues by a agradual process, and
that It would take q month before
the order would be fully in effect.
An effort will now be made to get
two months grace.
Baseball men also are laying stress
on the large amount of money base
ball recently has collected on war
taxes. On Thursdays double-header
on the Polo Grounds. in New York,
81 200 was turned over to the revenue
collector and on Saturday II was
over 5000. It Is figured by club
owners that by raising a few mil
lion dollars in war taxes between
now and October their players can
help the government more by play
ing ball than to have some go un-
skilled daborers added to shipyards.
One Of the difficulties In attempting
to operate under conditions now exist
ing In baseball is whether the players
viii stick long enough with their
teams until draft boards assign them
to war work. Players no doubt will
be anxious to select their own work,
which with the majority of stars will
be the shipyard or ammunition plant
offering the Inducements.
Buffalo, July 22.-Charley Weigh
man. owner Of the Cubs. received a
telegram last night from Provost
Gen. Crowder saying that the local
boards Of the baseball players who
are within the draft age may yet de-
aHA