The Washington herald., 1918-07-25

NelLncT HOulu NAAN
sFoloWing these National League
5oruls In all this hot - at their
r1eetins held yesterday at the willard
Hotel proved to be a real tough Joo,
as they were pouncing here, there anu
-eNerywhere looking for the edge.
Nothing transpired in this meeting eh-
cent the passing of the buck 10 the
American League, Clark Griffith ana
the National Commission for the re-
demption of the game.
1sAt the willard Hotel yesterday
morning there appeared In this meet
inx seven of the eight maGnates VINO
d.sired to continue with big league
haseball. The buck was passed cnee
nore TO the American League, since
they understood the situation treat
seaI better than the older circuit. ana
even these National League moguis
are willing to admit that clark Z.
Crifth, Of the local club, was tne
one big figure that swung the oeaI
that today looks promising ior the
playing Of the national pastime.
swhen the National League admits
fhat a manager in the rival circuit
was the Moses that lead the base
saIl rsraelites through the Red Sea
into playing land" they may mean
one of the biggest men in the ma
tional game today. Even the Ma
fhnal Commission called on our
siIyery haired pilot to md the hows,
where's. and what 1t was all about
and now that explanations have
been straightened out and every
thing in the base ball is up to Sec
retary Baker why should not the
name of Clark c. Grifith be pro-
nUunced as promoter and engineer
for all transactions. The entire base.
ball world Is awaiting Secretary Oh
war Bakers decision today.
ssWheFe were the attorneys Tor
the major leaguesT
ssThe argument was made baseoali
Feaders did not wish to appear In
the light of presenting any Stacker
appeaI' and would abide blythe de-
Sision of the Secretary of War. But
it- was the generally accepted view
the baseball interests were entirely
too cocksure about the safety OF the
fame. at least during the present
season, to trouble to take the proper
steps to protect their interests.
H-C
Every other industry which has felt
eurtaiIment of its business was being
considered by the War Industries
Board or the Fuel Administration has
been represented in Washington when
.,,ch questions arose. Such men have
been accorded courteous hearings ana
usually have ben able to reach saus-
factory agreements when the needs OF
the government and their own imam
elaI situation have been understood
adequately.
hall were not outlined to Gen. Crowder
by the proper authorities or any
adequate data given to Secretary
RsEer on the extent Of the demorali-
zatIon to the sport II was explained
the club owners apparently were con-
tent with the sentimental appeal
made by the popularity OF baseball,
ana left practically the entire burden
"a Calrk Griffith. manager and part
owner Of the Washington American
League club.
There were numerous indications
Secretary Baker feels inclined to act
sduarely by the sport by giving II
every consideration. although retain
ing his appreciation of the war duties
and sacrifices incumbent upon all ele-
rnents Of the national life.
The baseball managers who VIII see
Gen. Crowder tomorrow are In the
position Of. throwing themselves on
the mercy of a court which sentenced
them when they failed to present
their case.
The latter will not see Secretary
Baker personally as they. decided to
let their brief tell their story.
There were two factions in the
ranks Of the baseball men this morn
ing before they saw Gen. Crowder.
One side took the opinion that the
sport could exist until october In the
event each individual case was dis
posed of in the manner Of the Ain
smith case-the one which the catcher
fop the Washington American League
team had brought about Secretary
Bakers original decision The other
faction. however. favored postponing
the draft call Of each player until the
end Of the present season.