The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-23

rial for use of soldiers, sailors, and
marines all over the world.
And, in the third place. he found
1olsted upon his shoulders, already
bending beneath the load. the duties
OF saving the national game. the du-
ties that belonged to Ban Johnson
and John K Tener. as presidents of
their respective organizations
What Griffith Believes.
During the attack upon organized
baseball by the Federal League, Clark
Griffith once remarked to me: They'll
ran because they can't take a beat
ing. I'd rather string along with a
man like Connie Mack. for instance
who is willing to play il out, even If
he hasn't a cent, than with a million
aire who never played ball"
without knowing it. Griffith was
describing his own actions in the
greatest crisis baseball has ever
faced, brought on by a world war.
He was describing, two years before
the time, exactly what he was to do
himself.
And, just as Griffith had fore
Swallowed. when the fatefuI news
came from the War Department.
Connie Mack smiled and said he
could reorganize his team in twenty
four hours. Griffith savaEely contra
dicted the manifesto from Ban John
son that the American League would
end its season at once" These two
veterans of the diamond stuck TO
their guns.
Ban Discredited Leader.
By his failure to stay on the job,
Ban Johnson today stands as a dis
credited leader in the eyes of most
followers OF the national game And.
looming up larger and larger with
the hours, is Clark c. Griffith.
Now that Griffith has prepared The
way, has obtained A belated hearing
for baseball, the national commission
Will be here tomorrow to present the
case Of organized baseball to the Gov
crnmental authorities. Ban johnson
and John X Tener. with Garry Herr
mann. will go before General Crowder
and do what they should have done
a month ago.
Under the ruling OF Secretary Bak-
er. baseball players are classed with
ba-tenders, elevator conductors, wait
ers, and soda dispensers. This came
as a result Of the failure Of the games
biggest leaders to handle the situation
properly.
Did Not Know Facts
When Secretary Bakers ruling was
made public, It was apparent at once
70 all closely connected with baseball
that Mr.. Baker had not been well in
formed concerning conditions. He
lightly said that baseball could con-
tinue WIN players under and above
the present draft ages. and evidently
had not been given any information
along this line
Indeed, il was sa.- that Mr. Baker
did not think very many players
would be affected by his ruling.
when, as a matter Of fact, hardly a
big league club could be found with
more than three or four players not
affected.
But for the strenuous efforts in the
last ditch Of Clark Griffith, the ma
tional game would have died It would
have died weakly. covered with bruises
undeseryed. Even as matters now
stand. a slur has been cast at the pro-
fessiOnal baseball player through the
weakness OF his responsible leaders.
What the Future Holds.
II baseball is allowed TO continue
for the remainder OF the season. or
even to Labor Day, the information
viii be handed down tomorrow when
the national commission goes before
General Crowder. But, as told in
these columns. a new shuttle is due
in baseball.
Ban Johnsons abject surrender
without a night has aroused many of
his maEnates. -Four of them Satur-
day night overthrow his plan OF clos
ing the gates after Sundays games.
When the American League is reor-
ganized IL is not thought that Ban
Johnson will be chosen president IT
is quite within the realms of posi-
bility that the position will be Of
fered to Clark Griffith, II only be-
cause Of his heroic battle for base
ball at this serious time in its his
tory.
Warrington fans have no love for