New-York tribune., 1919-01-23

Mr.. Johnson, according to reportst
no more successful in his present vent
uro than he was some months ago
when he attempted to conserve to
palpitating public all the delights of
national recreation and relaxation
from the horrors of war. He was de-
sirOus at that former time of con-
serving the game throughout the
originally scheduled seasons, but met
with a somewhat severe jolt on the
moral solar plexus.
Yesterday, after scanning the long
list of athletes he had prepared, to-
gethcr with the units to which they
were attached. Mr.. Johnson WAS in
formed that the authorities could make
no special dispensation to facilitate
the early return Of these professional
entertainers.
No Spirit of Discrimination
However. promoters of professional
baseball will in no wise find any spirit
Of discrimination eXerted against them
and probably will be able to muster all
their chattels in the service before it
comes time for spring training. The
sesame of discharge at the present
time appears to be assurance on the
part of the applicant that more re-
munerative job than the military
awaits him.
The War Department will leave the
case of the players strictly up to the
various commanding officers, but will
be pleased to indorse the assurances of
employers that the services of certain
players are indispensable to the vari-
Gus professional baseball clubs inter
eSted -
Mr.. Johnson, it was also known, was
hanging around Washington in the
hope of averting lightning on the
proposition of a new amusement tax
1t had been proposed by the govern
ment to double the tax not only on
theatres, but baseball as we'll raising
the extra tariff from 10 to 20 per cent.
1t will not be necessary for Mr.. John
son to go to the mat on this PROPOSE
tion
The theatrical powers. which sue
ceeded in having that profession de-
clared most useful and necessary oc-
cupation before the baseball people.
on similar plea. were left in the
lurch, appear to have presented such
spirited remonstrance against the 20
per cent idea that baseball will get
IN out of the wet under the theatrical
umbrella.
Washington yesterday that no increase
in tax for standard amusements would
be Forthcoming this year. Baseball, of
course. will enjoy full protection un-
der this ruling without blow having
been struck, apparently.
Florida Has Boom
If metropolitan advertising counts
for much the State of Florida is likely
to come in for the lions share the
coming spring. The Yankees have
definitely decided to train at Jackson
vile; the Giants are as good as set
tor st. Petersburg. And now the
Dodgers are angling for a spring base
in the peninsular state
Mr.. Ebbets announced yesterday
that he had decided on some route
"furthest SOUTH" preferring to try
the heat Of Florida if a suitable loca-
ton is still available. 1t is just posi-
Bile he may go back to Daytona where
the club trained before its pennant
winning dash of 1916. Pending nego-
tations with certain Florida winter
resorts the Squire of Flatbush is hold
ing tight to an option on Hot Springs,
where the team trained the past two
years. He also has been flirting with
certain Texas cities. Texas, so un-
usually popular few years ago. will
be practically deserted by the majors
the coming spring.
Plans for spring training just an
nounced by the Cleveland Americans
mark a radical departure from custo-
mary usages that will be watched with
interest next spring. Cleveland intends
to experiment TO the extent of elimi-
mating the exhibition tour northward
which has prevailed in every camp