The Washington times., 1918-07-20

Whether or not the American
League will continue in operation
viii be left to the directors, who will
decide in a few days." was the state
ment issued by Byron Bancroft John
son, president of the American
League.
u have read" said President John
K Tener, Of the National League,
''Secretary Bakers decision in full,
and baseball interests will comply
with the finding in spirit as well as
in action. AS good citizens our obli-
cation is TO respect constituted au-
thority. II baseball comes under the
classification of a nonessential occu-
patton, we will most gladly make the
sacrifices of our business interests
in the oountry's welfare.
Asks For DefinIteness.
I'VE feel, however, some provision
should be made that would give US
time to determine whether or not
the, clubs can proceed under the sug-
Eestion made by Secretary Baker, or
whether we will close out business
entirely, and we Will request the
War Department to make its ruling
more definite as it concerns this
point.
my personal opinion is that If
every ball player between the ages
of twenty-one and thirty-one is
forced to cease playing baseball at
once, professional baseball parks
will have to close their gates i'm
mediately."
ait is apparent that Secretary
Baker has given the matter his most
serious consideration and his conclu-
sions are beyond doubt based upon
the highest motives possible in the
matter" was the statement Of August
Hermann. chairman OF the National
Commission. Just what the method
of procedure Of the club owners is to
be is one that will be determined
upon in the next few days, but ] am
sure there is only one conclusion that
we will come to, and that is that
constituted authority must and viii
be upheld by all interested parties.
Clubs Must Decide That.
His suggestion that many Of the
players are beyond, the draft age and
therefore II is by no means certain
that complete disorganization OF the
business will follow on account Of the
order Is one that will be a matter for
the clubs to determine. As all OF the
clubs in both major leagues Will be in
transit on Sunday evening, there is
no doubt that IL will remain in status
quo for a few days.
The interested parties will take up
with the proper authorities at once
the mode OF procedure in closing out
the business temporarily. IL II is
deemed necessary TO do so. We must
have a ruling at once as to the status
Of the players in seeking essential
1anp-fh of IN, ~
given them to do so, and whether II
will be necessary TO apply 10 the local
board having original Jurisdiction
over him I am assuming the player.
IN securing essential employment, will
be permitted 70 do SO anywhere he
can obtain ii, whether at home or in
the city or vicinity in which his club
Is located.
How Baker Ruled II.
Secretary Baker issued a complete
statement yesterday regarding the
appeal Of Eddie Ainsmith from the
ruling OF Draft Board No. in Wash
ington. Summed up. he ruled that
baseball players cannot be exempted
from the work or night" regulations
that went into effect on July !.
The situation OF professional base
ball differs in no wise from other
civilian peace-time business which by
reason of the stress OF war and its
demands upon the industries and en-
ergy Of the country must be content
70 bear whatever burden is imposed
by temporary inactivity.
says Secretary Baker:
while the number Of men affected
~ TIE order may be sufficient to dis