The Washington times., 1918-01-22
MAJOR LEAGUE MAGNATES
MAKE GOOD IMPRESSION
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Organized baseball, judged by its
war tax committee, made up OF
members of both major leagues, has
made q distinct hit with Uncle Sam.
The baseball men showed an entire
willingness to assist the Government
in every way possible.
81 must say to you, gentlemen,
that / am gratifed at your co-opera-
ton and patriotic spirit" Daniel C.
Roper, Commissioner of Internal
Revenue, told the members Of the
joint committee. "You have left
nothing to be desired"
Commissioner Roper was unable to
make any specific decisions in the sew
eraI questions presented TO him, and
asked the committee TO state its case in
writing. This will take three or four
days and will then be sent to the Treas
ury Department for decision. Commits
sioner Roper Will make any notifications
deemed necessary. and the leaders OF or
ganized baseball will then proceed as
desired by the Government
Ban johnson. president OF the Ameri-
can League. failed TO get here in time
10 accompany the committee to the
Treasury. but the others proceeded with
their business. Garry Hermann. chair
man OF the national commission and
president OF the Cincinnati club; John
A Heydler. secretary OF the National
League John r. Foster. secretary OF the
New York Giants and Walter Hapgood,
secretary Of the Boston Braves. repre-
National League. Ben s. Minor, presi-
dent OF the Washington club; Harry II.
Frazee. president Of the Boston Red Sox.
and Clark c. Griffith, principal stock
holder in the Washington club. repre-
sented the Ameican League.
Meet In Pittsburgh.
The committee instructed to make out
working schedule for wartime consists
OF Barney Dreyfuss. OF the Pittsburgh
club; John A Heydler. secretary Of the
National League John b. Foster, secre-
tary Of the New York Giants; Ban B.
Johnson. president Of the American
League. and William Harridge. secre-
tary to Ban Johnson. They will meet
in Pittsburgh in a few days
Making out a schedule until now has
DNCh AASAo VI A'SS hAAupiN. NhS
preceding schedules and making them
Mt current calendars constituted the
hardest work. But now. with train
schedules ripped and torn to smithereens,
with special trains out OF the question.
and with Government business always
given the right Of way, the baseball mag
mates have a hard job ahead Of them.
Make Several Schedules.
n l.
pared for the worst, the magnates will
have to make several tentative schedules.
Even then. the schedules adopted by the
big leagues may have TO be changed dur
ing the playing season. II the necessity
arises. There is no telling in January
what June may bring forth. Baseball
less days" may be ordered by the Goern-
ment
While Ban Johnson is opposed to
double-headers. and rightly. bargain
days may be frequent In 1918, forced
upon both big leagues in order to catch up
with their regular schedule by reason
Of transportation difficulties. The mag
mates are very much in the dark just
now regarding the immediate future and
must founder ahead as well as they
may.
The two major leagues will hold a
joint session in New York on Feb
ruary II. The playing schedules will
then be announced publicly and the
magnates Of both circuits will be made
acquainted with the requirements OF
the Government along the lines Of
making out tax returns. There is no
reason to expect any bitches to arise.
Harry Harper IL Here.
Harry Harper, the big southpaw. IL
in town for a financial chat with
Clark Griffith. He hates to take so
much time away from his trucking
business In Haekensack. but feels that
a face-to face talk with Griffith will
bring quicker results than 4 dozen let
ters pro and con. Harper Is q wise
chap. as well as most 1ikeAbls per-
sonGIly, and he realizes that profes-
sional baseball isn't going to be such
q money-maksr in 1918 as IL has been
in the past. Nevertheless, the size
OF his contract doesn't appeal 10 him
fsvorsbly. Therefore. he has come