The Washington herald., 1918-07-24

at meeting Slated 10 DC helu dI
this morning.
Ban johnson Arrives.
President Ban B. Johnson, of the
American League, arrived here last
night, and although he refused to
give out an interview. he willingly
accepted rthe brief drawn up by the
Tener Minor Hemstead Griffith
quartet. Chairman Hermann. OF
the National Commission, is expect
cd to arrive here from the National
League meeting early today, and
will be present for the National
Commission conference at 10 o'clock
this morning.
Chairman Hermann. over the
long distance wires, approved of eV-
cry move made by this committee
that drew up the brief, and no ar
gument is expected at the meeting
of the National Commission this
morning. This meeting will be
held prior to the conference of the
commission with Secretary of War
Baker and Provost Marshall Crow
der.
Secretary Of War Baker yester-
day afternoon intimated that the
future Of baseball depended upon
the ability of the magnates, who
represent the National Commission.
TO prove that the enforcement of the
''work-or-fight order" would leave
the ranks of major league baseball
too thin to continue the season.
The Secretary refused definitely.
however, whether he would take
favorable action should the league
manager be able to furnish such
status.
Grin Real Hero.
Baseball owes something more than
gratitude to Clark C. Griffith.
This fighting Silver Fox" has al
ways been a credit to the national
pastime. as player manager and
magnate. but his recent achievement
Of being the diplomat that is out to
save the major leagues MARKS him
as one of the greatest figures the
game has ever known.
What Grifr has done for the boys
in the colors both in this country and
over the big pond will go down into
national history. as the foxy little
pilot founded the Bat and Ball Fund
with but one object in view, that of
furnishing the Sammies with amuse-
ment when in training and awaiting
the call to go over the top.
The work OF this fund has grown
to be such monster thing that the Old
Fox Is now compelled to hire a few
secretaries and a big office force.
Grin led the way for the recreation
for the fighting men of America and
now war organizations like the Y.
VI. C. A, K. of c. and Y. NJ. H. A.
are fostering the work. but these war
veterans of last summer who went
into training and who followed Gen.
Pershing and the Rainbow Division
over to France will never forget this
same Clark c. Griffith.
Old Fox Turns Trick.
Regardless of his wonderful work
with the Bat and Ball fund, Clark c.
has always been looked upon as a
big figure in baseball. His Judgment
in all big cities has been taken as
gospel. Now he steps out Of the line
Of q manager and proves himself Q
regular diplomat, as his efforts alone
unguided by the national commission
authority, granted Ban b johnson,
John K Tener and Garry Hermann
the hearing which they will obtain
before Gen. Crowder and Secretary
Baker.
Baseball is having a restless few
hours today as the verdict which
Secretary OF War Baker and Provost
Marshal General Crowder hands down
will mean a great deal to the fans.
players and moguls.
The National League magnates held
a meeting in Pittsburgh yesterday and
decided to carry their problems d.
rectly to Washington. They will hold
meeting in this city today.
which will be followed by a confer
ence with oficials Of the War Depart
ment
The meeting yesterday was attend
ed by all the club owners except Harry
Hampstead Of the New York club.
Tentative plans were made by the
owners to finish the season unelss
they are told by the War Department
officials that the government does not
wish them to do so.
Fans Want Games.
From every sporting branch and
news stations today comes the argu-
ment Of Q worlds series should base
ball be favored by q ruling this aft
ernoon- Not many fans are willing
to accept q July worlds series, be-
tween Frazee's leading Red Sox, and
MitchelPs Cubs. A series between
these two clubs would be a disap-
pointment to all followers Of baseball.
as the issue is far from being
settled and a real decision should
be reached before such a campaign
is ordered by the commission
To Representative Nicholas Longs
worth. of Ohio. baseball owes some-
what of q doff Of gratitude as he
appeared before Gen. Crowder on
the behalf of Chairman August
Hermann, of the national commits
sion Mr.. Longsworth asked for
the postponement until a brief could
be prepared by the commission with
Recommendation that might change