Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-24
Want to Play Out Season or
Be Given Opportunity to
Settle Affairs
EXPECT EARLY RULING
Brief of Moguls Taken Under
Advisement by Provost
Marshal General
By the Associated Press

The brief drawn by the National
Baseball Commission and presented to-
day to Provost Marshal General Crowder
asks extension of the effective time Of
the work or fight regulations as they
apply to professional baseball players
until the end Of the present season or
until the clubs can have time to prepare
for suspension of operations
General Crowder took the brief under
advisement and was to make recommen-
dAtions to Secretary Baker. A definite
ruling by the secretary as to when his
order affecting players should become
ehective was expected late in the day
General Crowder was. told by the
baseball representatives II the regula-
tions were enforced now less than sixty
players would remain in the two major
leagues and that there would be no time
In which to recruit new players to en-
able the clubs to complete the present
playing schedules.
The draft Of the brief handed to Gem
eral Crowder was completed today at
conference Of baseball officials. They
included President Tener, National
League; President Johnson. American
League: August Hermann. Of Cincinnati.
chairman. and John f. Bruce. of the Ma
tional Commission; Secretary Heydler.
National League and these club presi-
dents, William F. Baker. Philadelphia
Charles weeghman. Chicago: Barney
Dreyfuss. Pittsburgh; Percy D. Haush-
| ton, Boston; Harry Hampstead. New
York; Harry Frazee. Boston, and Ben
JAmin Minor. Washington.
Relied on Themselves
In announcing late yesterday he
would review the case ION basis Of facts
to be submitted by representatives Of the
Industry" Secretary Baker indicated
General Crowder. provost marshal. and
himself had been forced to rely almost
entirely on their own knowledge Of base
ball conditions in preparing the ruling.
II stated In my ruling the number Of
men affected by the regulations would
not disorganlze the industry" said Sec
retary Baker Now am informed the
ruling virtually will ruin the business.
These and other facts. which were not
submitted to me before. are to be given
Il to General Crowder tomorrow by repre-
sentAtives of the leading clubs. I will
| confer with General Crowder and, after
reviewing the facts set forth in the brief
these men are 10 file. will see what Is
TO be doEe."
May Eliminate Motion Pictures
Meantime. War Department officials
have begun study of the regulations.
with a view to amending them to In
clude all engaged in sport or amuse-
ments. II that were done the order
L. might be revoked.
Secretary Baker said he understood
the baseball men are presenting tive
distinct arguments In favor Of a con-
tinuance Of the game. The frst. he said
ID that the work or fight" order auto.
mAtically should require all players to
seek other employment or enter the
army. but that the changes in classin
cation should be left to the local draf
boards to be reached In the regular
course. The other. he explained. is ar
appeal for a suspension Of the order
until the close Of the current major
league playing season.
1t developed General Crowder was en-
tirely willing to heaS the case Of the
baseball managers before Secretary
Bakers ruling was prepared, but ther,
Tas very noticeable lack of informa
tion forthcoming from the men whose
interests were involved. 1t was stated
here yesterday General Crowder expected
Ban johnson, president OF the Amer
lean. League. would seek an interview
and he was prepared to grant 1t wher
johnson was in Washington last week
Instead, no effort was made to explain
the real facts to General Crowder.
Managers Were Too Sure
Tho argument was made baseball
leaders did not wish TO appear In tn
light Ct presenting any ''slacker appeal
and would abide by the decision Of thu
Secretary of War. But it was the gen
orally accepted view the baseball in
terests were entirely too cocksure abou
the safety Of the game, at least durinl
the present season. to trouble to taxi
the proper steps to protect their In
terests. Every other industry whicl
has felt curtailment of its business wa
being considered by the War Industrie
Heard or the fuel administration ha
-Sbeen represented in Washington whel
such qusetions arose. Such men hav
been accorded courteous hearings AM
usually have been able to reach salts
factory agreements when the needs o
the Government and their cwn fnancia
situation have been understood ade
Quately. 't
The vast financial interests In base
ball were not outlined to General Crow
der by the proper authorities, or an
Adequate data given to Secretary Bake
Cn the extent of the Generalization I
the sport 1t was explained the clu
owners apparently were content wit
the sentimental appeal made by tn
popularity OF baseball, and left prac
tically the entire burden to Clark Grit
Afh manarer and part owner OF tn