Evening star., 1918-12-12
GR|FF|THIS ACTIVE
AT LEAGUE SESSION
Spreads Gospel Of Reform
and Talks Trade With
Owner of Indians.
speci.l pisp.tch to 1,be Star.

| CHICAGO, December 12.-Clarlz
/ Grifath's propaganda" in favor of re-
| construction in base ball as exem-
| plified by his famous "ten command
! ments." was expected to have consid-
cradle weight in shaping the policies
Of the American League today. when
+. the moguls of Ban Johnson's circuit
went into annual session. Griff was
active among the magnates early this
| morning telling them that change
| in base ball government was impera-
converts, although not to the extent
that these owners agreed to stand pat
on his suggestions.
The fact remains. however. that
Grifflth's activities toward changes in
the draft laws and in the governing
! body of the sport were felt and it was
generally predicted that when the
magnates emerge from their session
late tonight some appreciable steps
will be announced along the lines
the Washington manager has been
clamoring for.
Griff himself only hoped for some
little concessions, for before the
meeting started he knew that he
faced the opposition Of President
Johnson and that opposition was all
that it implied in days when Ban first
Discusses Trade for Roth.
But the advancement Of the game
wasn't the only objective Griff had
before the meeting was called to or
der. Griff also has the advancement
of the Washington club at heart, and
he mingled with magnates, managers
and other officials with a view to
picking up any material he might get
viewed was President Jim Dunn of
the Cleveland club, who yesterday
announced that Bobby Roth. the slug
ging outf1elder would be available
for any club that could offer something
in exchange.
President Minor of the Nationals
was among the delegation of moguls
who appeared early today. The big
majority of the club owners and man
ayers put in an appearance yesterday
afternoon.
Tanning bees and base ball discus
sions that reminded old-timers of an
tebellum days took place in the lobby
of the Auditorium Hotel before and
during the meeting. The signing of
the armistice and the recent boost
for base ball handed out by Gen. Pey-
ton c. March seem to have kindled
all the old interest in the game.
Everybody is agreed that the COM
ing season will be something Of a
success and that careful legislation
and economical management will
bring the sport back to the high plane
1t enjoyed in its halcyon days.
Meeting of the board of directors at
o'clock and the start of the club
owners gathering an hour later were
the only items officially announced
this morning.
Johnson said that a resolution would
be introduced to punish shipyard
players. those craven athletes who
brought disrepute on the pastime by
grabbing a paint brush when called
to arms.
Mike Martin, Attention!
Another action to be taken. Ban
limited, was the dropping of all club
trainers as a matter of economy.
While johnson expressed himself as
in favor Of a 140-game schedule, he
ton to this scheme and that the old
154-game chart might be continued.
Owing to the number Of extraor-
dinary matters to come up. including
the presentation of pennant and q
panning to Harry Frazee of the world
champion hed Sox, Johnson said that
the meeting would continue suntil
late at night, with a possibility of
another session tomorrow.
AS the gathering got under way Ban
seemed the dominant figure he was
In the good, old days. That he has
frustrated the alleged conspiracy to
unseat him was apparent in his every
action, and instead of entering the
convention uncertain of his future he
appeared to have no other fhoupht
than to punish trouble makers