New-York tribune., 1919-12-10
Liberal Policy
Decided Upon
By Old Circuit
Season in Heydler Organ.
ization to Start April ID;
Training Period Extended
By Ray Mccarthy


ball clubs spent quiet. calm and
serene afternoon in their annual meet
ing at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday.
There were no startling developments
to cause any undue stir and the swarm
of reporters who jammed the lobby dur
ing the afternoon had to content them
selves with the regular routine bust
ness for news.
AS was expected, the magnates 70
sooner had entered into their secret
were very much in error in their policy
OF economy, inaugurated last year Be-
fore the season had progressed two
months the moguls regretted that any
such policy had been adopted and they
are determined they will more than
make amends for this shortsightedness
next season.
Accordingly the amendments, reso-
lutions and rulings Of last season
we're Immediately thrown into the
waste basket, and it was decided to
return to the 154-game schedule next
year and open the season on April IA,
as formerly-this, of course, to go into
effect with the approval of the Ameri-
can League owners, of which there is
little doubt
The clause limiting the training
period to four weeks also was stricken
out and one substituted which calls
Tor SIX weeks of training prior to the
opening of the season. This means the
clubs Will be tripping their merry way
Southward about the first of March, as
they did In the days of yore.
Among Those Present
In attendance at the meeting were
President n A
Stoneham and Francis X. McQuade. of
the New York club; George w. Grant,
OF the Boston club; William N. Neeck.
OF the Chicago club; August Hermann.
Walter Frledlander and Louis Widerie.
OF the Cincinnati club; William F.
Baker, of the Philadelphia club; Charles
ii. Ebbets, Of the BROOKLYN club:
Barney Dreyfuss' of the Pittsburgh
club, and Lon Hooker, of the St. Louis
club.
The directors chosen for next season
are Messrs. Stoneham, Grant, Dreyfuss
ana Baker. 1T is planned hereafter to
clubs and two of Eastern clubs COM
pose the board, to alternate each yea.
Inc amendment proposed by Presl-
dent Ebbets of the Brooklyn club. that
any one caught tamDering or inf1uenC-
ing ball players in any way. so as to
make them disgruntled with their sur
roundlngs, should be fined was adopted.
The fine to be imposed on anv one
found guilty of such tactics was made
$1,000 for the first offense and expul-
sion from the LEAGUE for the second
IN ms ~ report to the members Pres
dent Heydler stated that in point Of
paid attendance (Which was close 70
the 100000 mark), the 1919 season
compared favorably with the best
years ever experienced bv the league.
and that it possibly would have been
ranked as the best season in the his
tory OF the organization had the normal
schedule of 154 games been played.
Giants Best Drawing Card
In the point of playing to most peo-
Pie, 1T might be interesting to note
that the clubs rated in order as fol-
lows: New York, Cincinnati, Chicago.
brooklyn, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia'
boston and st. Louis. Although last
IN TINS respect, Heydler said he was IN
formed that ST. Louis finished with a
AR margin on the right side of the
President Heydler also stated thar
the breaking away of the minors from
the national agreement may likewise
De De viewed unfavorablv, for although
Ine majors have not suffered bv this
breach, yet chaotic conditions arn
pound to ensue unless proper working
understandings are reestablished undur
centra- government
lhe minors, according to Hevdler.
.a nave notified the National Leaguers
that they have appointed committe.,
OF eight for this purpose and there is
no question as to the wisdom of hold
Ing JOINT conference. In conclusion.
Heydler said:
1T IS my judgment however. that
no new agreement can be entered info
except on legal advice of how besr
TINS can be done without running in
confilct with the WASHINGTON courts
rulings on the question of mnnnnolu