The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-14
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(Reg. U. s. Pat. Of.) By JACK GUENTHER

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 New York, Jan. 14-(UP)-The dark clouds are huddling in unmis- takable clusters, there is low rurn- ble of thunder in the distance and the storm may break at any time. Once it cuts loose, either the New York Yankee baseball club or jolt ing Joe DiMaggio is going to be thoroughly drenched.
 Which is figurative way of say- ing that almost any day now the Yankees will mail 1942 contract to their famed fielder and that the chances are even young Giuseppe will peek at the manuscript warily, wipe it clean of fingerprints and pass it back to the postman as quick ly as he swings bat.
 When that happens, break out the ear muffS.
 For the thunder won't be just a rumble then. It will roll in great waves and will be illuminated by plenty of lightning. Arguments will rage long and loud and such phrases as war morale" and national emer- gency" will be tossed like hand gren- ades from both sides of the fence.
 Joe Should Win
 In some "A hours Joe DiMaggio will emerge as a hero or bum, for he is the unhappy ball player upon whom will focus the entire problem of what to do about hold-outs in wartime--and how to do It. The battle may be bitter, with no punches barred, but it isn't likely DiMaggio will lose.
 The club owners currently are ser- monizing that all players had better sign up at once, either with them or with the army. They have piously beaten their breasts, loudly an- nounced they stand ready to aid the cause and then pontificated that hold-outs will be thrown out by the public if the boys stand up for the rights to which the yare entitled.
 This is the typical reaction of men who always have been reaction ary. They have steadfastly denied the right of unionization just as they have refused to deal with agents. Their hatred of organization hasn't, however, kept them from forming a body of their own to boycott men who refused to accept terms.
 Now they are dragging the red herring in an attempt to influence opinion before the bargaining be- gins. They have concentrated on DiMaggio as a traget and have said he is indeed lucky to be able to play ball at all when Ted Williams, Bobby Teller and Hank Greenberg are working for peanuts in the services. Which is noble perversion of the truth.
 The fact that Teller. Williams and Greenberg were eligible for service doesn't alter the fact that to date DiMaggio hasn't been made eligible. Until he is made eligible, he is en- titled to demand a fair shake as much as the baker, the butcher or the Yankee officials. In fact, he is entitled to little more, because he is the Babe Ruth of his generation
 A ball player always is paid for what he accomplished during the previous season. What Joe did ill le4l is matter of history. During his great batting streak the fans fiocked to the parks by the thousands until the Yankee coffers creaked and groaned under the load of extra dollars. As well, he was named the most valuable player in the Ameri- can league.
 Big Year
 At present DiMaggio is married and has child and therefore is not subject to army call. As well, 1922 is his big year to cash in. Next season army restrictions may be changed and he, too, will be packing a gun along with thousands of other men now exempt. If he goes into service, he naturally wants to go leaving his family as well fixed as possible.
 The owners themselves aren't faced with glittering prospects, but as far as we know baseball will go on in some form that will be profit able. As long as 1t does, the player standards should be maintained. The players always have been will ing to donate their work for benefits. But they aren't willing and shuoldn't be willing to stand the burden of all sacrifices. If salaries are cut be- cause cuts are patriotic, then let the owners enter the spirit of the times,