New Britain herald., 1918-06-17
BIZ LEAGUES MAY
 MERGE FOR SEASON
Enforcement Of July 1 Draft May
 Mean One Circuit

New York, June 17.--The major leagues arc marking time awaiting q definite announcement from the Pro VOst MarShal'S office on his intCrpre- ta tlon of the fight or work order which is to go into effect on July l. The order a. it was originally framed included all men of draft age partici- pating in professional sports and eN- empted actors. Professional baseball considers that it's calling is also a public entertainm ent, and that they should be considered in the same class as actors.
 Numerous baseball players in the major leagues, who are within the draft age, but who have been placed in deferred classes because of depend ents, will not know where they stand until further notice is received from Washington. Such notice has been promised some time this week In the meantime, unless the ball players are exempt, the major leagues will have | difficult task on their hands rear ranging their forces to enable them to play out the season.
 If the original order stands as it was first announced, both the Nation al and American leagues will be so badly disOrSanized that a readjust- ment of both circuits may be neces- sary. The club owners have been busy making plans, and in case there are no exemptions from the order. it is likely that the baseball season will be finished with only one league playing
 It is believed by many club own CTS that the fight or work order would mean that both leagues would have to pool their players into one eight-club circuit. In cities like New York where each league is represented by club, the players left over would have to be formed into one club. Minor league players under and over the draft age and veteran major league players who have retired from the game would have to be called up on to fill out the ranks. The outlook is not promising.
 The conditions in the minor league are already seriOGs and the Southern association, one of the most prosper Ous of the minors, has already decid- ed to close it's gates at the end of this month. The Texas league, another prosperous bush league in the past may also decide to shut up shop. It is doubtful, also, if the two largest minor leagues-the New Interna tional and the American association-will be able to see the season through.
 Thus far the major leagues season has been surprisingly successful That there is a demand for profes- sional baseball is shown by the large attendance throughout both circuits. Here in New York there has been no difference from other seasons and the large Saturday and holiday gather ings at the Polo Grounds would indi- cate that, as far as the public is con- cerned, there is a desire for the game to continue.
 The baseball club owners realize that the Government can make no special discrimination in favor of baseball players, and they are recon ciled to get along as best they can if the players within the draft age are compelled to take up some other kind of work. The jump in railroad fares has already proved a great ad- ditional burden on the baseball clubs, and although the Government will be asked to exempt the ball clubs and theatrical companies from the new rates, there is no indication as yet that such exemptions will be made.
 The majority of the club owners favor the continuance of the game even under conditions where the 1 standard of play W ould be far below what the baseball fans have been ac- customed to. The large amount of capital invested and the binding con- tra ctull OblcatiOns which the clubs l have assumed have been put forward l as reasons why exemption should be i made for the players who are outside Of Glass A in the dra ft