The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-16
Given President O'Neil to Learn More About Crowder's Order in Regard to Baseball-To Make Report in Week or Ten Days-Teams Will Continue Playing Sched- ule for Present.

New Haven, July 16-The decision as to whether the Eastern League would suspend after playing half of the season, or continue until the schedule Is finished, was not made at the meeting of the Eastern League held here yesterday at the Hotel Taft. Six of the eight clubs in the league were represented at the 9 if -hour ses- sion presided over by President Dan ! O'Neil. the clubs without representa- ton being Providence and Waterbury. During that time the club owners dis cussed the baseball outlook in detail and at the close of the session gave out a. statement through Thomas A. O'Brien, the acting secretary.
 Those present at the meeting were: New London, Morton F. Plant; New Haven, Edward Dugan; Bridgeport, c. P. Lane, Jr,; Hartford, James H. Clarkin; Springf1ed. William E. Carey; Worcester, Edward F. Smith and M. J. McMahon.
 The leagues statement follows: 'This meeting was called at the re- quest of one of the directors of the league in order that the club owners might talk over the baseball situation and, if deemed advisable, take advan- tage of the National Association rul ing, allowing minor leagues to sus- pend operations at such time as they may have completed one-half of their playing season.
 Tt was the opinion of the Eastern League club owners that the circuit had nothing to fear, If it continued it's schedule, as far as finances were concerned, as the clubs all were solv- ent at the present time, all obligations had been met and with the best part of the baseball season in front of them, there was little likelihood of any of the clubs suffering any great further loss of money.
 '"The only question before the East ern League that should cause the club owners any worry is the pos sible application of the Crowder work or fight order to baseball in general At the present time this order is causing general unrest throughout baseball circles, and particularly among the players. A few decisions have been made in individual cases, but these decisions lead nowhere, as they are contradictory. In the case of Player F'inneran of the New York Yankees. a New Jersey board ruled that baseball was essential in a sense, and ordered him to return to his oc- cupation. Tn the recent decision by the Brighton board, outside of Boston, in the case of Player Henry of the Braves, they held that baseball was not essential.
 Should it develop that baseball is classed as essential, and that ball players are not required to leave that occupation for some other work classed as necessary by the govern ment there is little doubt but that the league would not consider sus- pension for a moment.
 However, should baseball be de- clared non-essential, then the Easterr League would not want to continue ir existence, as it would be attempting to carry on a. business that the gov. ernment does not consider wortf while with the country so vitally wound up in war
 Since there are no reliable deci sions at hand with regard to the ap plication of the Crowder work o1 fight order with respect to baseball land since there has not been tes case in the Eastern League to guido this organization, President Dai O'Neil has been instructed to find ou as far as possible how this order ma. be expected to affect baseball, and tn Eastern League in particular, and re port back to this body within the nea future for the leagues further guid ance. For the present the Easter League will continue to play 1t schedule as drafted"
 It was the general opinion of tn club owners after the meeting tha President O'Neil would be ready t make a report as to how he viewe the situation within the next ten day'