The Washington times., 1919-01-16

The minors offer as a suggestion
that the National Commission be COM
posed OF the president of the two
major leagues. the head Of the Ma
tional Association Of Minor Leagues
and two disinterested persons This.
however. is not a demand, merely a
suggestion.
The National League opposes the
efsGarryyEIerrmann for the
chairmanship Of the National Com
mission, and Ban Johnson. according
to reports from New York today. Is
wayering in his support Of the Gin
cinnati magnate. johnson will insist
upon q three-man commission, how
ever, but may be convinced that a
neutral chairman be named for the
good Of baseball
National Is Radical.
That the big lessuers- meant to
slash expenses all along the line has
been know nfor many weeks. but the
action OF the National League in
adopting a monthly club salary limit
OF S11 900 is most radical Away will
go the dreams of high salaries. An
Alexander. an Eddie Collins or a Wal
ter Johnson will receive the bulk of
his clubs money every month The
other players will be but the fringe
necessary to support the star. If the
American League follows suit today
at its meeting the biggest strike in
the history Of baseball is expected.
With a playing season of five AMI
. half months, a major league CLUB
will be allowed to pay out only about
$50 900 in salaries Ty Cobb is fight
fng now to retain his $40, 900 salary,
which would be one-third of the total
going to the Tigers for tae year.
Walter johnson is getting about
s<12 900. or one-f1fth of the Washing
ton clubs total. under the rule
sdopted by the National League and
which may be adopted today by the
Johnsonian organization.
May Break Agreement.
The American League, by refusing
60 follow the example Of the National
League in regard to a monthly salary
limit. may break away from its rival
organization, smash the so-caIIed na-
'tional agreement and precipitate a
baseball war which will put TO shame
that which ushered In the younger
major league back in 1901 and 1907.
II the majors hold together, they
can easily defeat the minors. With
out the big fellows, the little fellows
cannot exist. Players will go where
the money is offered and the minors
win have no possible means Of hold
ing their players, tempted by major
leagues. But IL the majors decide to
break their present harmonious ar
rangement OF doing business. and the
minors continue to show fgnt, either
there will be no organized profes-
sional baseball. or the sky will be
the limit and a battle to the death
will be in order. those with the least
money dropping by the wayside.
Opposes salary Limit.
The American League. it is under
stood, opposes placing a limit on SAL
aries, IL was the American League
which. by making itself a major
organization. broke the old limit of
81. 400 for National League players
back in 1902. When peace was de-
clared between the warning organIza-
tions, all limits were abolished. Since
then only minor leagues have had
salary limits
p II the American League today votes
agains: a salary limit. the National
LeagIa may reconsider its action
taken Yesterday and get in.o the swim
while the getting is good. Otherwise
II will facs d@sertion by the bulk nf
its players, who will be dissatisfied to
play for meager salaries that q few
collected stars may draw down fancy
ctipends.
Prices VIII stsy Same.
The magnates have de ,.drd not 70
retrench expenses for the ia27. Al
EMISSION prices in force last yenr Will
-iemaA for 1919, with the Sar,c meth
DDS followed for the collecti1h II wa.
taxes.
The American League will today be
asked to restrict its traininy season