Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-08
AMERICANS MEET
TO RAT|FY DATES
Senator Pepper May Address
Johnson Magnates on Draft
at Washington Today
POSSIBILITY OF TRADES

Washington. Feb. S.-This city cx-
tended the hand Of welcome TO baseball
magnates of the American League today
for their first meeting outside Of New
York or Chicago in the history of the
organization.
Clark Griffith, president Of the
washington club. had arranged for the
club owners and officials to nav their
respects to President Harding at tho
White House be fore beginning their
sessions later in the day.
The meeting was called for the spe
cific purpose Of rntifying the 1922 play =
ing schedule. but It was believed II
would not adjourn without some, dis
cnssion of plans for effecting restorn-
tiOn Of the draft. now opposed by sew
eral Of the minor leagues.
Many rumors of impending trades Of
players for which the gathering would
afford opportunity for direct nesotia-
tion also came to town with the mag
rates. The only one of which they ap-
reared to be aware. however, concerned
the New York and Detroit clubs. and
even this was wholly conjectural as to
the probable plos crs involved.
Talk Of Trades
There is considerable talk of trades
being engineered at Che gathering and
the air Is charged with all kinds of re :
ports. The Yankees are in the field for
an outfielder and the Detroit Tigers.
for instance. are badly in need of n
shortstop and are likely to leave no
stone unturned in their efforts to plug
up this gap. The White Sox lack pitch.
ers. as do the Red Sox.
Iris Speaker and President Jim
Dunn, of the Indians. are reported as
having their purses well filled and their
hopes high for player or two to
strengthen the worlds champions of
1920.
The local club president indicated to.
day that he would endcavor to have the
'Magnates take definite stand on the
Draft question at the pre-Lent meeting.
Discussing the opposition among the
minors to the selection systcE, Griffith
declared:
Some One Will Finish Second
Somebody is going to come out Sec
ond best in this contrOversy-and 1t
isn't going to be the majors or organ
lied baseball"
According to some the presence of
NChotot "toiS w tUIcI, CUuus
sci for the major leagues in the fight
against the Federal League. and the
framer of the present national agree
mcnt. may have some significance.
1t. is believed that johnson and his
associates may wish to consult Senator
Pepper on the draft question. and per-
haps on contemplated battle against
the five minor leagues which have re-
fused the compromise draft offer.
Club owners asserted that it was
necessary to act in concert with the
National League and that until the
older league held its meeting in New
York next week no official statement
regarding the attitude of the American
League toward the draft would be forth
coming. 1t is probable a joint meeting
of the major circuits will be called by
Judge X. NJ. lands, commissioner of
baseball. at some time subsequent to
the National League session.
The New York club has the largest
delegation at the conclave, being repre-
sented by President Rupert, Vice
President Huston, Business Manager
Barrow and Manager Huggins. Other
officials here include President Dunn
and Manager Speaker, of Cleveland
President Shibc of Philadelphia Prcsi-
dent Nnvin. of Detroit; President
Frazee. Of Boston. md Business Man
ager Quinn, Of st. Louis.