Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-20
SECRETARY BAKER RULES MA
TtokAL GAME COMES UNDER
WORK OR FIGHT RULE.
DECISION RENDERED
IN AlNSMlTH CASE
Professional Baseball Held Not Inn
portant Business In Abnormal Times
Decision to Result in Many Major
Leaquers to Seek Other Employ
ment-May Terminate Season.

Washington, July O.-Professional
baseball was held to be a nonessential
fight order Friday by Secretary Baker
The secretary held that with many
players beyond the draft age 1t is ny
no means certain that, complete C'Sor-
ganization of the baseball business VIII
follow; that baseball players are men
of unusual physical ability and alert
ness, able to adequately provide Tor
their families in productive occupa-
tions and that the employment OF able
bodied persons in nonproductlve work
can not be justified on the ground OF
the social value of the national game.
II have decided that the work or
fight regulations include baseball said
Mr.. Baker in announcing his decision.
Case Up on Appeal.
The secretary also expressed the
opinion that the draft regulations
should be changed so as to include all
persons engaged solely in entertaining
within the work or fight provisions
The decision was given on appeal in
the case of Eddie Ainsmith, the Wash
ington American catcher, recently or
dered to work by local board, which
came up to the secretary with sug-
gestion from the board that the regula-
lions should be changed to exempt all
ball players.
In passing on the appeal, Secretary
Baker said:
1.-THE language of the regulation per-
tinent here occurs in paragraph c Of
section 191-K as follows:
Exempted Line Given.
"Persons, including ushers and 9TH
er attendants engaged and occupied IN
connection with games, sports ami
amusemntse,' etc.
OBVIOUSLY baseball players are per
sons occupied In a sport, so that the
ruling Of the local and district boards
must be sustained as plainly correct.
"It Is suggested, however, that the
regulations ought to be changed to ex-
clude baseball players from their oper-
alton and this appeal is not really based
uopn any doubt as to the correctness
of the determination made by the local
and district boards, but Is addressed to
the wisdom of the regulations.
1.-THE arguments in this behalf are
three in numbers
''First-That baseball is business In
which very large investments Of money
have been made, involving the erection
OF properties, useless and improbable
unless permitted to be continued in the
use for which they were erected; and
that the application Of the regulations
TO members of professional baseball
teams would so far disorganize this
business as to destroy it and render
this property temporarily va1ueiess.
Unified For Other Work.
"Second-That the occupation OF
a professional baseball player re-
auires a very high degree Of spe-
cianzed training and skill, procur-
able only by substantially exclusive
devotion of the time of persons aspir-
ing to become professional players 50
that there is not much likelihood Of
such players having any other avail
able occupation, or fitness for any 9TH
er occupation, at all adequate in its
return to maintain for themselves
and their families the standard OF
living which has teen established on
the earning In their professional oc-
cupations.
'Third-That baseball has been
accepted as the national sport or
the people Of the United States,
that It affords wholesome outdoor
relaxation and enjoyment to large
numbers Of the American people
and is to many workers and busi-
ness men Of the United States al
most the only opportunity for such
recreation; so that to bring ABOUT
the cessation of professional base
ball would work social and Industrial
harm far out OF proportion TO the mil
hary loss involved by the exemption
of the limited number Of players in
question.
Separate Comment Made.
Upon each of these grounds
separate comment IS appropriate.
AS to the first: The situation
of professional baseball differs in
no wise from other civilian peace
time business which By reason of
the stress Of war and its demands
upon the industry and energy of the
country must be content to bear
whatever burden is imposed by
temporary inactivity. Wfhle the
number Of men affected by the Or
der may be sufficient to disorsaniZe
the business, many If the players are
beyond the present draft age and ii
is by no means certain that complete
Differentiation Of the business would
follow adherence to the order as
made.
"As to the second: Baseball play
ers are men Of unusual physical
ability dexte-ity and alertness. 1t
has been necessary for US in this
country to institute processes OF
rapid industrial training and it is
quite inconceivable that occupa-
lions can not be found by these men
which not only would relieve them
from the onus of nonDroductive
employment but would make them
productive in some capacity high
Nv r,sefu, TO the nation. This change
will be welcomed by the individuals
involved and it's usefulness to the
country, both direct and indirect, is
ahyinns
"The third consideration is, OF
course the serious one, and is the
one which has brought about the
present appeal to the president.
The stress of intensive occupation
in industry and commerce in Amer
fca in normal times is such as to
give the highest importance and So
ciai value to outdoor recreation. II
NAV well be that all of the persons
who attend such outdoor sports
are not in reed of them but GER
tafnly very large prepronderauct
II the audiences in these great ma
tionaf exhibitions are helped, physical