Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-25
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

NEW YORK. April 25.-Worries of the
moguls of base ball do not end with the
prospect of having well laid plans scram-
bled by the loss of some Of their best
playing talent through the operation OF
the inevitable draft. They are this year
confronted with almost as knotty puz-
gle as regards travel and quarters. Inc
comparative scarcity Of trains, due to the
purpose of the administration to reduce
passenger traffic to as low point as pos
sible. in addition to the universal condi-
ton of inadequate hotel Accommodations
resulting from the natural course OF the
law of supply and demand, together with
the Jesse James tactics by the managers
Of the hostelries, are combining to make
for gray hairs and wrinkles for those
footing the bills of the major league clubs.
Notwithstanding that the washington
club has been patronizing one hotel In this
city for a number of years ana that the
management of this establishment was
duly apprised of the fact that the team
would arrive yesterday for so1ourn OF
four days, adequate accommodations We're
lacking and all the members OF Cribs
party We're taken care of only by the ex-
pedient of Quartering them In multiples
to a room. By means of some tall jug
Cling sleeping quarters finally were pro-
vided for all. but the fact that these are
war times was brought home to the capt.
tai contingent. one member having 10
borrow the managers tub In order TO
remove the stains of travel.
Another illustration of what the
magnates are up against is furnished
by the difficulty Secretary Fowler Is
having in arranging for shelter and
the Grifrmen are scheduled to stage one
of those well known exhibition affairs
with the Boston Braves at Providence
r. l. At the rates quoted by one hotel
there it would cost the club more than
500 for lodging and food alone for
small squad for only the
few hours it would be there. 1t seems
that the hotels of Providence, as is the
case in nearly all Of the larger cities
of the country, are doing a capacity
business. Whether the club Will leave
Saturday evening and stay overnight
at Providence or make the jump early
Sunday and continue on that night to
Boston, where the series with the Red
Sox opens next Monday. has not been
decided, but the game Is on and 1t is
assured that. following postponements
at both Norfolk and Washington two
weeks ago, the Griffs and Braves finally
will meet II the ball park at Rocky
Point, short distance from Providence.
under water or the weather jinX does not
play a return engagement.
The Grinmen have no kick on the
weather here, thus far. Yesterday
warmth of being ideal for base ball.
The most was made of the opening of
the Johnson circuit in Gotham, too, by
the Yankees, who recorded 6-to-4
triumph over the Nationals. and by the
military flavor to the rather preten-
tious program arranged, Brig. Gen. Will
liam A. Mann. who was present with
his STAFF, throwing out the first ball
coursing martial airs throughout the
afternoon, as well as prior to the game.
when full company of soldiers from
the generals command at Governors
Island. together with ESQ naval militia
men from Pelham Bay naval training
station. assisted the players OF the rival
clubs in hoisting the Stars and Stripes
and the Yankees service flag.
To stimulate the liberty loan drive
Col. Rupert, president of the local
club. subscribed for $4,000 worth Of war
bonds. The campaign in the park, car
on before as:s dusn Sy and n AFTER the
Canadian troopers just returned from
the front, as well as galaxy of stage
and screen stars-and Nick AItrock.
The II ~. r.ss gis Of their effort. vas the PIE
ser's coffin. This is regarded as a
splendid showing. especially when COM
pared with the sale of bonds week
ago last Tuesday. when from the crowd
of nearly 10000 which saw the Giants
and Dodgers open the season only
$2.700 was obtained.
The size of the crowd on hand for the
first appearance Of Miller Huggins and
his revamped club was considerable of
a disappointment, the paid admissions
totaling a few over 10000. about 5000
less than attended the inaugural in
Washington last week. The fans dis