The Washington times., 1918-03-24

Should the draft hit any one cluo
HnrOasonably hard or should any stars
Efs Ty Cobb, iris Speaker. Walter
Sdhnson, Frank Baker, etc, be drafted
I an sure that an appeal to General
CroWder. who is an eminenly fair
man. or even to President Wilson.
who seeks not the death Of any Amer
lean institution, will bring about the
same fair treatment which is being
constantly accorded other lines OF
business, Possibly, IL one club Is
riddled badly by the draft worse than
the others, It should be strengthened
By some internal legitimate means.
Must watch signs Closer.
But baseball must watch closer the
signs of the times. The Alexander
KiIlifer deal, as well as that OF Bush.
strunk and SehanE, indicated that 1t
Is strangely out OF step with national
events. The loud publicity given the
purchase OF players for the large sums
of $50, 900 TO $500 will be a harsh,
discordant note in the existing world
wide atmosphere of economy, re-
trenchment and sacrifice and tend to
shock the fan public and make IL
pause and ask, els baseball still stark
crazy"
think the public wilI realize that
IN war time, with players being fire.
quently drafted away, there cannot
Be the same. former high class article
Of ball played. but they will be con-
tented with a reasonably inferior ar
eIcle OF ball and to see the gaps filled
mp with bushers.
But strict bone dry economy must
.u-E
daily papers but can forsee that 1918
will be an active one on the battle
fronts over here. 1t may be the de-
Gliding year of the war. The newt
able casualty lists are bound to have
at least at first a bad effect upon
amusements. Folks don't even dance
IN France.
People will continue TO go to see
ball games but not in such numbers.
The gate receipts will drop lower than
they did during the bad year of the
Federal League fracas. Why not?
Sails must be trimmed accordingly.
Nothing could be simpler. But cable
news states that the Chicago meeting
ordered no cut made in the schedule
and no shortening OF the spring train
ing trip. They must be intoxicated
with the delusive success of 1917. and
fall to see the Knockout drop which
may be their portion of 1918. The
ear 1917 Is no criterion. It had all
the good and none Of the bad of war.
Beware of TrifIInE.
The censor restricts soldiers ut
terances. and quite rightfully so. But
L am sure he will not object to the
following message: Everybody but
- I. -
immediate serious situation to which
America is exposed. II they don't
wake up from their stupor and put
the national game in its rightful
place in the front ranks OF all patri-
etic movements, events combined with
public opinion will force them out
and put others more alert in their
places. This is no time to four
flush with the public. Beware Of
trifling with the war situation. It's
loaded"
What should baseball do as it's
'Hbit?" The American League, under
Ban Johnson's influence. started well
but did not 20 far enough. 1t initi-
sted military drill by its, players I'M
der regular army sergeants as one
way OF encouraging preparedness. Its
owners bought 100000 OF war bonds
The New York club played a Sunday
benefit game netting a large sum
for the New York Engineer Regiment.
Charles Comiskey donated cOnsid-
cradle amounts to the Red Cross
from gate receipts. Clark Griffith
Is doing splendid service in sending
thousands OF dollars in baseball para
pEernalia to the soldiers over here.
Quite q start, but only a start. II
could have done much more. Up TO
August /. when I left United States
for France, the National League had
done nothing patriotic, but hope II
fell in line subsequently. although
the noise thereof has drowned the
roar OF no big guns over here.
MaEnates Fell Down.
Tho original intention was that after
the ball players had become proficient
In military drill they would in time
drfll a company OF say $50 fans not
subject 20 draft, giving them an annual
pass as a compliment. Thus to aid I'm
creating a home guard. The nagnates
fell down on this feature. Il shou d
still be put into effect
Parenthetically. home guard may be
as important as an army on the firms
line. The American army over here will
70 through, never fear. The palpitat-
ing and burning question is. will you
civilians at home hold out? Stick a rim
here You folks at home can d.
multiplicity Of things to help a fellow
fight over here.
Sunday benefit games on some equit-
able basis should be played in the big
cities Of the east. As doubtlessly public
sentiment has now crystalized in favor
Of such benefits. the mayors will cheer
fully defer to # Battles are fought.
men die and suffer on Sunday. Why
should not folks do something to help
them on that DAY? Proceeds of these
games should preferably so to the Red
Cross or Y, N. c. A.
The small percentage OF the proceeds
Of the world series donated was ridtcl-
lous and really insulting to the nation.
At least Is per cent should so for pa
triotIc purposes This would tend to
take the bad taste always left by this
annual base ball financial orEie which
Is fast becoming a menace to the life
of the national game. for II not abated.
some fatal scandal Is bound 10 Jccur
sooner or later. There have already
been some close shaves.
Lack Of Spirit DisEPaee.
The lack Of patriotism shown in
baseball circles Is a disgrace. Very
sew big league players volunteered.