The Washington herald., 1918-03-24

/. when left United States for
France. the National League had
done nothing patriotic, but ! hon. Al
fell in line subsequently. Although
the noise thereof has drowned rh-
roar OF no big guns over here.
The original intention Was thai srr,.-
the ball players had become prrrI.frrr
IN military drill they would in tfrra
drill a company OF say l5a fans not
subject TO draft, giving them an an
nual pass as a compliment Thus 10
aid in creating a home guard Th.
magnates fell down on this feature II
should still be put into efTet-i. Par,.r-
theucally, a home guard NAV 1,. ,,s
important as any army on tho rr.r-
line. The American army over hon.
viii 60 through. never fear. Th.. nal
pitating and burning question IS wirr
you civilians at home hold OUT S-frl
a pin here. You folks at home r4u do
a multiplicity OF things to help A fol
low fight over here.
Sunday benefit games on some c,.is-
table basis should be PLAYED rr the
big cities OF the East As douhfre,,
public sentiment has now crystal
lzed In favor of such benefits. the
mayors will CheerfuIly defer 10 IL
Battles are fought. men die and suf-
Ter on Sunday. Why should not folk
at home do something To helm them
on that day? Proceeds Of these
games should preferably 20 70 the
Red Cross or Y. NJ. {. A.
The small percentage OF the pro
ceeds Of the world series donated
was ridiculous, and really insulting
TO the nation. At least . per cent
should go for patriotic purposes. This
would tend to take tn had taste
always left by this annual baseball
nnancisl orgie, which is fast becom-
ing a menace TO the life Of the ma
uonal game. for n not ahated. some
fatal scandal is bound 10 occur soon
er or later. There have already been
some close shayes.
The lack Of patriotism shown fn
baseball circles is a disgrace. Very
: Few big league players volunteered.
/ We have Hank Gowdy's picture
draped I'm a silk American fsE Odo-
mated by DR.. Jones. consul general
at - stuck upon our Compspy,
I As bulletin board. / hope 10 person
ally greet him when he arrives over
I here. Not a person connected with
tn business end Of baseball has
volunteered. Ye Gods. what a morti-
( Tying and shameful spectacle,
II is fair to note, however. that a
Z player who drops out Of the game a
year or so seldom comes back" when
he rejoins. So. volunteering for a
year or so is more serious TO a ball
player than to perhaps any othe-
, class Of citizens. There is no excuse.
though. for the miserable spirit
shown by the St Louis players who
won the SOo prize given by Ban John
son 10 the best drilled team. II was
suggested that they give the prize 10
the Red Cross. They refused and
each individual pocketed the lucrp.
Let us take OF our hats high and
bow low TO Hank Gowdy, Rabbit
Maranville and their like.
Possibly the baseball magnate "a
at loss to know how kis services
could be utilized. I will here nick out
jobs for two or them. Robert Bacon.
former Assistant Secretary OF War
and Ambassador 70 France, is doing
great work here as what the French
call town mayor" In addition 10
other duties he transacts all the
business between the military and the
civilian officials. The Job seems not
commensurate with his abilities and
experience, but he Is content TO serve
his country anyway he can do 50. and
is really OF great service. Gov. Tener.
by ability. experience and bearing. is
qualified TO serve similarly. His &C
quaintance with high government Of
ficials would make It easy for him
to receive consideration. Amuse-
ments behind the lines. such as base
hall. is strongly encouraged by Gen.
Pershing on the ground that what
amuses and entertains keeps the sol
diers contented and conseouently
tends to keep them well. There will
( he many professional ball players
among the drafted soldiers who will
come here. The Y. NJ. c. A. will at
tempt to organize a huge military
baseball league. They need a master
hand. Ban johnson is the man for
/ the job. Baseball may be made the
I sport Of all nations before this war
/ is over. Ban can serve his country
no better than to help make this pos.
sible and 10 advance this great
American idea" Baseball follows
the flag. Though IL Is very probable
that these gentlemen can be more
valuable at home.
Gentlemen, baseball will wag alonr
year or two without you, just like
| thousands OF families are doinr
without the husband and fathers
fall in. II Garry Hermann or other,
so desire, I'll fix him up. also. I no.
tice where some Of the sport writer.
have accused Ran johnson OF lack ot
patriotism because he suggested pc
titioning the government 10 exempt
eighteen players OF each club. This n
absurd.