New-York tribune., 1919-03-01
l4O-Came Programme
Will Stand Despite Idea
of Huston and Frazee
BY w. I. Macbeth

schedules set into motion some few
days ago by Colonel Til Huston. of the
Yankees, and Harry II. Frazee. presi-
dent of the worlds champion Boston
Red Sex, seems doomed to the discard.
President John A. Heydler of the Ma
tional League declared yesterday that
he did not believe any alteration in the
plans for schedules Of f4O games for
each MAYOR league, which were adopted
at the Joint meeting of the National
and American circuits here in January,
would be made at this late date.
While it would be an easy matter.
from physical standpoint. to change
the schedule at this time" said Presi-
dent Heydler "the result would be
both farreaching and confusing. The
return to normal conditions throughout
the country has been more rapid. per
haps, than was foresecn at our annual
meeting, but any attempt to readjuSt
our schedule now would produce COM
plications which would offset any ad-
vantages TO be gained by the additional
fourteen games.
Training Plans Completed
"The various clubs Of the leagues
have completed their spring training
plans, made dates for numerous exhi-
bition games and otherwise assumed
contractual obligations which it would
be hard TO roarrange. Furthermore.
we are finding it difficult to secure thls
early relcasc of players now in gov
eminent service and need the addi-
tlonal time to complete the team ros-
tels
ut would be possible TO change fhs
length of the schedule by telegraph
vote among club owners, provided six
Of the eight clubs voted in the afrrmn-
tive. Similar action on tho mart Of
the American League would be neccs-
sary."
IT Is to be assumed from Mr.. Hevd-
lers remarks that he voices Tho onin-
ION Of the minority Of the eipht Nm
tlonal League club owners Mr.. lleyd-
Ter is capable oflcia1 who aeldom
talks at random He we'll may be ,N-
pocted to have sounded Tho promoters
ne represents before having submitied
10 the interview. Granting this Ia bo
So nothinR moro Us TO be said Tho
casc is closed Tho American League.
pledged TO tho 40 gamcs schedule
could not rcfutc the shorter scheduln
unless the National League was nls,
deslroua Of lcngthcning the playin.
season. IN
Whnt Mr. IIeydlcr has to snv in re-
Rh'd TO nnnoyanccs incident TO n switch
a1 ~, lhls late date is undoubtedly true,
me snort schedule was adopted -un-
wisely, it is true--as a mcans 10 econ.
omy IN readlustmcnt. Many maior
league players, among them certain
stars, nave subscribed thor nnmcs to
l9l3 contracts on the asgumpfion thnA
the season would cmbrnce only five md
a nall months instead Of six months. IA
heretofore
They bowed gracefully 20 the cur.
tallment OF salary the shortening Of
me season cntailcd And II ia fru.
mat most Of the mnjor league clubs
nave exhibition games booked through
that period Of April which would have
To be utilized for the championships If
lo4 games we're played.
Extra Pay a Solution
But, after all, it would be an easy
enough matter to satisfy these players
already signed by paying them pro rata
lor the fourteen extra games, and it
would also be an easy matter ia mr.
range advanced spring bookings The
answer doubtless lies i'm the military
SITUATION Only very few clubs ara
handicapped by having needed PLAYERS
IN the service, but these happen to be
.he hard boiled boys who put self
before everything.
The major league magnates realize
now now that they pulled a stupendous
ooneD by trimming their schedules
from l54 games to 140. The move. first
or all, was an admission of weakness
and lack of faith. Their sorry stand
IS made all the more ridiculous by
the fact that the big minor leagues.
much harder hit than the ajors have
decided to go through with long sched-
ules, as in normal years. But, admit
ing their fault, if the major magnates
have not sense enough to try to cor
rect 1t while still there is time it is
matter of consequence only to them-
selves. The good, old, long suffering
public has absolutely no occasion to
worry.
The Joint Rules Committee of the 4
New York State Legislature and I
Senate VIII hear arguments next
Wednesday at Albany on a bill which
seeks to legalize Sunday baseball IN
the Empire state in such municipali-
ties ratify the amendment, By local
option. The bin is backed by many
Of the most influential statesmen,
politicians and business men Of New
York and. II IS believed, has an ex-
cellent chance of becoming law.
up for the reform.
A number Of prominent New York
ers, among them Judge Cornelius i.
Collins, Of Special Sessions, will
journey to Albany next Wednesday 10
plead IN person for relaxation of the
obsolete blue laws.
John B. Foster, secretary Of the
Giants, received letters yesterday
from a couple Of the rockies that
will make the spring training trip to
Gainesville, Fla, with the New York
Nationals. Ed J. Sticking, an inielder,
reports that he has been discharged
from the army. Frank Noel, an un-
tried pitcher, who also has just been
discharged, has a no-hit game against
semi-pro club as a letter Of indorse-
ment. Both are only awaiting the
word to hike to Florida.
There is possibility that George
Gibson, manager of the Toronto club.
and several of his pa ers may train
with the Giants at Gainesville. Nc
Graw makes no bones of the fact that
he would hail the help and advice Of
his old coach toward the DEVELOPMENT
of the green Giant battery men.
Du Bois Coming Here
Charley Du Bois, the Hollywood Inn
4 1.~l.