Evening star., 1925-12-08

Any time upward OF hundre'
get together with nothing much on
to obtain something for nothing, tn
fireworks will materialize, but a care
If any pyrotechnics develop they W
with an anteroom locale.
The tip-off on this rather unusual
state of affairs is found in the action
of the International League yesterday
in re-electing John Conway Toole
president of the circuit for a term Of
five years, after it had been widely
predicted that he would be given the
gate as the result of movement
sponsored by major league interests.
This was due to his determined fight
against the draft and dogged insist
enCe on strict observance OF the limit
placed on the number of players as
signed to the smaller leagues by the
big circuits.
No belliserency having been mani
Tested at this conclave, where a knock
down and drag-out scrap generally
was ballyhooed. il would seem that
with no conflict even limited at the
major leaguers should be as tame as
tabbies' during their sessions.
Sessions Start Today.
These were due TO get under way
this afternoon. with the National
Leaguers opening a twoday meeting
at the Waldorf Astoria while the
board Of directors Of the American
League met at the Belmont. with
Clark Griffith of Washington. Frank
Nayin OF Detroit, Barney Barnard of
cleveland and Jacob Rupert Of New
York in attendance. This session.
where no business of moment Is on
the calendar is to be followed by the
regular meeting of the owners in Ban
Johnson's circuit tomorrow, and on
Thursday they will assemble with the
National League magnates at the
Roosevelt, with Judge X. NJ. Lands
presiding in his capacity as commits
sioner of base ball
At the 1928 conference Mr.. Lands
caused a big stir by demanding that
the diamond moguls make a choice
between himself and Byron Bancroft
johnson as pilot of the pastime. After
getting that decision the white haired
jurist last Winter scored Ban john
son for persistently talking out Of
turn. in direct violation of the peace
protocol and insisted on a real show
down. with the result that Lands
was indorsed by about every organi-
cation qualified to pass resolutions
and that Byron B. was as unani-
mously condemned, the net result
being that Johnson since has had
precious Ittle To say.
Having only individual axes 20
grind and being wei fortified through
experience with preventives for
bunions and fallen arches as insur-
ance against the inevitable effects of
patrolling hostelry foyers. the dele
gates all should be capable of a
rising vote of thanks for final ad-
journment Thursday with two or
three minor reforms effected
These should include determination
to end the customary schedule of
154 games in 1926 at least a week
earlier than this year, so that the
world series may get under way by
October l. Another fancied proposal
is that all future world series games
start at | 80 pm. instead Of o'clock
to minimize the likelihood of tie con-
tests, in which event Clark Griffith 9
plan to have any possible eighth
game cost nothing to holders of rain
checks for the seventh contest. should
that end in a draw, may be pigeon
holed The moguls may be expected
to act very cautiously about voting
the fans "A present of any 100000
gates.
Still aoother measure likely to re-
Celve serious consideration is that all
temporary boxes and stands be barred
for future world series. The reason for
them, of course, has been the tremen-
douS demand for accommodations at
the titular struggles, and the owners
also are not unmindful of the addi
tional revenue accruing therefrom
However 1t has been repeatedly dem
onstrated, and nowhere better than in
the recent Washington Pittsburgh
clash, that temporary structures mar
the merits of the sport by producing
fuke home runs.
May Reach Compromise.
Condemnation of them on that score
has been so severe that their elimina-
tion might be deemed practically GER
tain but for the fact that both Lands
and johnson, strange as 1t may Seem
hold similar opinions on the subject.
In view of this rare state of affairs
II may be that a compromise will be
effected. Barney Dreyfuss has one
ready-to keep the extra bleachers,
but to have all temporary seats
screened. The Buccaneer boss prob
ably wants to make sure that Sam
Rice can't reach over railing and
rob Earl Smith of circuit swat when
the Pirates meet the Nationals again
next October.
Whether anything of keen interest
to fans in the Capital will develop dur
ing the sessions here is problematical.
Griff will have the benefit of the
counsel of both Secretary Eynon and
Pilot Harris, the latter being due to
check in today from Miami, Fla,
where he has been combining man
agerial activities with land booming
for the realty interests which are pro-
noting Winter base ball there. Griff
has a lot of ideas-he always has-but
whether he can induce rival owners of
worthwhile talen to adopt them re-