The Washington times., 1918-07-28
MAY COME HERE IN
DECIDING future
BASEBALL COURSE
BY LOUIS A. DoUGHER-

IU6I GAdGllN "AAdI NAAC
leagues will do this season, now that
they have been allowed to keep their
players until September will he de-
termined at a meeting held this
week either in New York or IN
Washington. Efforts may be made
to have .he meeting here, where
closer communication might be made
with the governmental authorities
In case of the rising Of Inotty points
Ban johnson is quoted as saying
that 'the major leagues will wind up
their regular seasons on September
,0.abor Day) and play a worlds Sc
ries Immediately"
John K Tener has issued no state
ment
Garry Hermann says: "The de-
cision is satisfactory to me-"
Charlie Comiskey, owner of the
worlds champion Chicago White
eox. wants a worlds series played
and ended by September 1.
The National League is planning
b stage a number of double-headers
between now and September 1, in the
hopes Of getting in as many games
as possible before the curtain falls.
The situation facing the magnates'
while Hghtened somewhat, is still
dark enough. Many players are
working under contracts calling for a
yearly salary and without any clause
caring for the sudden ending of the
season. They will no doubt receive
the total called for under their con
tracts. Those players working under
the new form of contract VIII Simply
lose their September salaries.
The question of finishing out the
1918 campaigns must be answered by
the masnates. Only FIVE weeks play
fng would be required after Septem-
ber ] TO finish the schedules as now
arranged. The principal argument
against that would be the cali5er oi
the baseball shown by veterans and
youngsters signed up to replace the
stars ordered into essential work.
while Secretary Baker says that his
order affects "only 237 persons" that
Is a huge percentage of the good
players left in the major league cir
cults. Sixty-three players now in uni
form will be available after Septem-
Der l, or about four TO club
PubIic'S Support Gone.
Thanks to the feeble means taken
BY the alleged leaders Of professional
baseball to protect their interest,
baseball is on the defense and the
public support is falling away from
II rapidly. Ever since Secretary
Bakers first statement was made the
crowds have been staying away from
even the most popular clubs, such as
the Giants and Cubs in the National
League and the Red SoX and Yankees
in the American League.
1t is most hazardous for the mag
mates to attempt to carry out plans to
finish the 1918 season in October. the
regular time, with CaCh-as-catch-can
teams. The fans in the major league
cities have long been accustomed TO
the highest brand of baseball. They
would be quick to see the difference
II creaking veterans. long since done
in fast company. are foisted upon
them as major league athletes
Prices Are Too High.
The present prices for major league
baseball are far too high for second
rate baseball The only possible way
FOR a continuance of the game with sec
ond-rate players would be with lowered
prices. and this in itself would be
confession Of a loss OF attraction
II the war continues through next
spring there will be no professional
Baseball in this country in 1919. 1t is
almost a certainty that the draft ages
will be increased on both ends, taking
youngsters too green for fast company
and older men who have seen their best
days on the diamond. For instance.
taking all men thirty-six years old will
mean that Nick Altrock will be the
only Griffman left. lie is nearing his
6orty-second birthday.
Suspension May Help.
A suspension for at least year may
prove Of great benefit to organized base
ball It will give the promoters an op-
portunity of recognizing the game. IS
pecially the government Of the pastime.
which has fallen down badly this year
One veteran baseball writer calls for
the formation Of the national commits
sion TO consist OF four members, one
Of whom shall be a ball player. and the
chairman a man not connected. politi-
cally or financially. with any league or
any club. The reform OF the national
commission must come this winter to
prepare for a possible ending Of the war
for the majors are not team now
since Connie Mack defied the games
supreme authorities with the covert sup
L.