Evening star., 1918-01-06

1t already has been decided that the
major league schedules shall open
Tuesday. April 1s. but the date for
tho closing of the championship sea-
son remains to be settled. upon, al
though indications are that the cam
paigns will close September 80 or Octo-
ber / in the west and about two or
three days later in the east. It is con-
sidered likely some double headers will
be scheduled to make this possible. in
view of the fact that the season will
open a week later than is customary.
of of games on open dates will to some
extent make up for that additional
week of idleness in April.
One action the national commission
is expected to take is to appoint a
committee from both leagues to visit
this city in the near future for the
purpose of obtaining an official ruling
on the tax on base ball tickets. Con-
siderable difference of opinion exists
in the minds of the club owners over
how the tax should be levied. and 1t
will be the purpose Of the commission
to make some definite arrangement be-
fore the bell rings. Season tickets. rain
checks. passes and other forms Of ad-
mission present complications that the
powers that be In base ball will seek
to have cleared up by getting ruling
from the officials in the capital.
Following close upon the adjournment
of the commission, the joint schedule
committee of the two leagues will
gather at the hunting preserve OF the
base ball men at Dover Hall, Ca. to
L. l..k- R1f
johnson probably will be the sole rep
jresentative Of the American League,
but the National may send President
Tener. Secretary Heydler and Barney
ma agnate undoubtedly will do mosr OF
| the work, as he has for years past
| 1t is not believed Ban johnson will
! reopen his fight for a schedule of 140
games. even though the new turn TAKEN
! in transportation problems nl.e.ss be
regarded as favorable to his conten-
tions regarding curtaiied season.
Connie Mack's defense for his sale to
the Red Sox of Strunk. Schang and
Bush despite the promise he made to
| Philadelphia fans that he would sell no
more stars Is that fourteen of his play
ers had Joined the Army either through
enlistment or the draft. and that the
transfer of this trio was necessary in
the interests of harmony, as they were
| dissatisfied with their berths last sea-
SON.
| Possibly the Ianky leader Is trying to
prepare Quaker city patrons for still an
other shock. President Frazee OF the
Red Sox asserts he is after another
star. and although he will not give
| his name. fntfmates the deal Will prove
| a big surprise IL consummated. With
| Del Gafnor and Dick Hoblitzell both in
the United States service, the Sox have
no nrst baseman. Mack has one of the
best In the business in Stuny McTnnis
lin fact. McInnis and Bodie are about
the only players of worth he has left.
| There is nothing about Mack's recent
record that would warrant surprise IL
The let McInnis go. The Athletics pilot
4 NAV figure that he might as well make
/ a clean sweep while he Is about 1t, for
along with their rivals. the Phillies,
the American League club seems to
lhaye incurred the genuine resentment
Of the fans. II the Philadelphia news
Ipapermen have correctly gauged the
attitude Of patrons Of base ball there
neither club will receive any support
worth Dragging about next season.
Judged by the following, which ap-
Ipeared In the Public Ledger. the Alex
lander-Killefer deal will not be forgot
ten nor forgiven for many a moon:
"If william r. Baker. the New York
tpresident of the Philadelphia base ball
club, is reported correctly in an inter-
view emanating from Gotham, he is
ieither grossly deceived by certain
Isycophants. or else he is emulating the
tactics Of the gentleman Of color who
always whistled a merry. tuneful air
while passing through q graveyard In
1.-THE dead of night. Mr.. Baker is alleged
Ito have said that the excitement In