Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-16
TORONTO MAYOR
.FAVORS BASEBALL
Believes Game Has Done
Much Good Since the
War Began
GIVES GOOD REASON

Toronto. Aug. 16-That the United
States. in its efforts to settle the PROB
lem of sports in wartime. might wen
take guidance from the experience Oh
the Dominion of Canada, was pom'
by Mayor Thomas Church. OF Toronto IN
a talk with Frank Graham during the
progress of an exhibition game played
by the New York Giants here.
News that the War Department OF
the United States considers basebail un-
essential came as a distinct shock 10
u.s. he said. "for we In Canada nave
found baseball to be most essential. par
ticularly since we have been at war.
In the early months Of the war condi-
tions in the Dominion naturally were
somewhat unsettled, and during that
period there was some criticism of sports
voiced in certain quarters. AS result
one or two of the small leagues in
Canada were forced to suspend opera
tions and there was a brief let-down in
sports all over the Dominion.
Normal Reversion
THE reversion to normal conditions.
so far as sports are concerned was CO.
incident with the return to Canada of
in France. When these men. who had
passed much Of their time behind the
lines along the battlefield In playing
baseball and football. came back and
found sports on their native heath at q
rather low ebb they lost no time in max
ing a protest. In view of this all oppo
sition to baseball and other sports quick
ly vanished. / think you will find tina
the Toronto team Is supported as we'll a!
any club in the International League
and that baseball Is on sound basi
throughout Canada is proved by the re
vival of the Canadian League and tn
recent transfer OF the Syracuse franchis
In the international to Hamilton.
THE situation In Toronto is typical O
that all over Canada. This city, with
population Of about 100000. Nhas sen
more than 10000 men to the war. o
these many have. been killed, and man.
more have returned to- us. wounded an,
manned. The burden which we are bear
ing Is heavy one, and would be al
most intolerable IL it were not for tn
relief which we are afforded by base
ball, the other sports and the theatres
and of these baseball ranks first.
Baseball Invaluable
I'VE have found baseball to be a mos
| diu u III many Respects
In the first place, II has provided recrea
ton and amusement for our people an
mas frightened many dark day fo
them. Then, too. 1t has helped us in tn
raising of funds for war charities an
has been used to stimulate recruiting
The fact that men who have had train
.. ing In baseball and kindred sports max
the best soldiers Is being proved ever
day in France, and there Is no dout
but that the professional ball clubs pla
large part in the maintenance {
sports in the Dominion Just as they d
!, In the United States.
d ut seems to me that the ma jor league
: in the United States are entitled I
i some recognition for the aid which the
$ have rendered their country in the wa
! They have contributed heavily in me
= and money to the nations fight again.
= the Huns and have made great sacr
p fees in the spirit which Is characterist
/. of Americans. They have helped US. tot
in equipping our soldiers in France wit
baseball paraphernalia, and for that "
, are most grateful to them. 1t seems
me that there will be a reaction in I'll
United States before next spring an
that baseball will again come into 4
+ own in the land which has given 1t
II the world"