The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-06-17
Draft Law May Cause
 Merging Of Big Leagues
Major Leagues Awaiting, Final Interpretation of
 the "Work or Fight" Law
 Minor Organizations to
 Drop Out. <

New York, June 1.-The maysr leagues are marking time awaiting definite announcement from the Provost Marshal's office on his inter- pretation of the fight or work order which is to go into effect on July l. The order as it was originally fram- ed included all men of draft age par ticipating in professional sports and exempted actors. Professional base ball considers that it's calling is also a public entertainment and that they should be considered in the same class as actors.
 Numerous baseball players in the major leagues, who are within the draft age, but who have been placed in deferred classes because of de- pendents, will not know where they stand until further notice is received from Washington. Such a notice has been promised some time this week. In the meantime, unless the ball players are exempt the major leagues will have a difficult task on' their hands rearranging their forces to enable them to play out the sea- son.
 If the original order stands as it was first announced, both the Ma tionaI and American Leagues will be so badly disorganized that a read- justment of both circuits may be necessary. The club owners have been busy making plans, and in case there is no exemptions from the or der, it is likely that the baseball sea- son will be finished with only one league playing.
 It is believed by many club owners that the fight or work order would mean that both leagues would have to pool their players into one eight club circuit. In cities like New York where each league is represent ed by a club, the players left over | would have to be formed into one club | Minor league players under and over | the draft age and veteran major league players who have retired from the game would have to be called up 1 on to fill out the ranks. The out | look is not promising.
 The conditions in the minor leagues are already serious, and the Southerh | Association one of the most pros- porous of the minors, has already de l this month. The Texas League, an- other prosperous bush league in the. past, may also decide to shut up shop. It is doubtful. also, if the two largest minor leagues-the' New h. ternationaI and the American Asso- ciation-wil be able to see the sea son through.
 | Thus far the major leagues season has been surprisingly successful. That | there is a demand for professional
 baseball has been shown by the large | attendance throughout both circuits. Here in New York there has been
 no difference from other seasons, and
 the large Saturday and holiday gath | erings at the Polo Grounds would in. dicate that, as far as the public is l concerned, there is a desire for ths
 game to continue.
 The baseball club owners realize | that the government can make no l special discrimination in favor of
 baseball players, and they are recon l ci1ed to get along as best they can if the players within the draft age are compelled to take up some other kind l of work. The jump in railroad fares has already proved a great additional
 burden on the baseball clubs, and all
 though the government will be asked
 to exempt the ball clubs and theatri-
 cal companies from the new rates.
 there is no indication as yet that such
 exemptions will be made.
 The majority of the club owners favor the continuance of the game
 even under conditions where the
 standard of play would be far below
 what the baseball fans have been ac-
 customed to. The large amount of
 capital invested and the binding con
 tractual obligations which the clubs have assumed have been put forward as reasons why exemptions should be
 made for theplayers who are outside l of Class IA.