The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-24
BASEBALL MAKES FINAL STAND TODAY
WHEN COMMISSION FILES STATEMENT
Stupid
D LOUIS A. poUeHm.


Secretary Baker is expected to
make his official decisions late today
IN the case Of the appeal Of organized
baseball against his recent ruling
that threatens to disrupt the national
game. The National Commission,
composed OF August Hermann, chair
nan, OF Cincinnati; Ban B. johnson.
president Of the American League,
and John K. Tener, president OF the
National League, presented its brief
today to Provost Marshal General
Cr0wder, who was then to lay the
matter before the Secretary Of War.
Firmly convinced that the Govern
ment VIII agree with their sidA OF
the argument, the two leagues are
now preparing to 90 on at least for
the remainder OF the 1913 season As
last a. players are ordered 20 take
mp other more essential work. by
their. local draft boards the big
league; clubs viii sign up, men not
affected by the draft regulations. In
this way they hope to complete the
1s1s campaigns, even staging Al
worlds series.
The principal Immediate difficulty /
facing the major league clubs is to
keep their players in line. Realizing
their opportunity, the managers OF
the Steel League clubs and Of the
Ehipyard teams are lbombSrding the
stars Of the profession with offers.
George Aogridge, Of the Yankees,
Shipbuilding Company and did not ac-
csptsd an offer from the Standard
ShIpbUildIng company and did not &C
eSmpany Huggins' team West
Babe Ruth, the great Red sox slug
GER George Sisler, the Browns frst
bASaman; walter johnson, the Griff-
men's grSGt hurler; Frank GIIhooley,
the YankseE' outhelder: Joe Judge,
The Griffmen'S nrst bSseman: and Ty
Cobb. the Tigers peerless outnelder.
have All received offers Of jobs where,
with exemption from immediate mill
eAy service, they can play all the
baseball they wish
Meanwhile. the big league clubs are
G1Gning up veterans let loose by the
descending OF the minor leagues of
tn country. Babe Adams, star Of the
Pfrtsbu-gh-Egers worlds series Of
YGA9 ago, has signed a contract with
hi old club, the Pirates. He was
with the American Association, which
closed its gates Saturday.
AT GriggE, another veteran, has
Joined the Tigers. He is well above
the draft age. Practically every
major league club is pursuing the
same course, laying lines for keeping
. team on the Geld, at least for the
coutnuAtion OF the 1918 season
Future L. Gloomy.
n ehs draft ages are changed so
as 70 SUMMON to the colors all men
between the ages of nineteen and
forty, and Secretary Bakers work
or fight" order is extended to them.
It win be impossible for organized
baseball to continue for the duration
of the war. Il win be necessary then
for the leagues to close their gates
until such time as resumption OF the
national game Is found necessary or
practicable
Professional soccer players were
government shortly after the war be-
gan, but II was found that the Eng
iiEh people demanded some outdoor
recreation II they would keep up their
morale in war time, and the soccer
players were permitted to get into
action again. Today large crowds
swarm to the games played for the
English championships The promo
ters OF the games report even larger
Attendances than before the war.
Canada followed the example set
By the mother country, suspending
All sports. But the Canadians found
Il absolutely necessary to resume
them and today the Toronto club OF
the. International League attracts
the same old crowds whenever the
game Is worth it.
Ban Meets John X.
The meeting OF Byron Bancroft
johnson and John K Tener today int