[legendsport]

Washington, DC - July 11, 1917:

"Rufus, please stop fidgeting."

Rufus blushed and said, "Sorry. It's just that I feel like a young student about to go see the principal."

"We are not in any sort of trouble, here. We've been asked here for a serious discussion, but it's nothing about which to be nervous."

Rufus nodded - his brain agreed, but his stomach did not. He looked at FABL President Robert Owings and said, "You're right, of course. Thank you, Bob."

Owings nodded as the gate swung open and the small contingent of FABL representatives walked up the neatly tended path. The white-painted sandstone of the Executive Mansion loomed before them. A Marine sentry opened the door as they approached.

Inside, a balding man in a nice suit greeted them and said, "Gentlemen, welcome. Thank you for being on time. You'd be shocked by the number of visitors who fail to be punctual."

Owings stepped forward and shook the man's proffered hand. "Good afternoon, Mr. Tumulty."

Joe Tumulty served as President Woodrow Wilson's personal secretary. As the New Jersey-born lawyer led them to the President's Office Rufus tried not to gawk (but failed). As they walked down a long hallway, he reflected that he'd imagined the White House would seem... bigger.

Tumulty opened a door, held it and waved them on. The so-called "Taft Oval Office" had been built in 1909 when William Howard Taft had been president. Rufus found the oval-shaped room odd, and thought of what Alice would say about the green wallpaper. He was still musing on this when President Wilson entered the room.

Wilson was thin and stood slightly taller than Rufus' own five-ten. The blue eyes behind his round spectacles looked tired - not particularly surprising given he was now leading a country at war. He gave the group a small, friendly smile then said, "Gentlemen, thank you for coming. Please have a seat."

The FABL contingent was comprised of five men: League President Owings, Chicago Chiefs owner Wash Whitney (in his role as the executive board member representing the Federal Association), Philadelphia Sailors owner Victor Crary (the Continental Association executive representative), FABL secretary Josiah Williams and Rufus, who still wasn't sure why Owings had asked him to join them - OSA director or not, he still saw himself as just a scout.

Owings introduced each man to the President, coming to Rufus last. Wilson was not as mad about baseball as his predecessor (Taft) had been, but the president was still a fan and had attended ten Washington Eagles games since taking office in 1913.

Rufus couldn't help but contrast the taciturn, bookish Wilson with his predecessor. Taft was a famously large man, but was also gregarious and he had an intense devotion to baseball. Rufus had met Taft at an Eagles-Gothams game in 1910. Taft, a native of Ohio, was known to be a huge fan of the Cleveland Foresters and often bemoaned the fact that because the Eagles were in the Federal Association, he couldn't see the Foresters while in Washington.

To Rufus' surprise, when Owings introduced him, Wilson said, "Yes, Mr. Barrell - I know your father-in-law. I saw Mr. Reid play while I was living in Augusta. He was one of my favorites - a real firebrand!"

Thinking of how this would delight old Joe Reid, Rufus smiled warmly and said, "Indeed he was, sir - and still is. I shall certainly tell him of this!"

After a few more pleasantries, the meeting got down to business.

Owings said, "Mr. President, I believe I can speak for everyone involved in baseball when I say that we are patriots first and foremost and want to lend any support we can in this time of war. To that end, I requested this meeting in order to ascertain whether you believe FABL should cease operations for the duration of the war."

Wilson shook his head. "At this time, I believe it would be a mistake to stop the playing of baseball games. Not least because they provide a respite from the troubles our nation will be enduring while we prosecute this war."

Owings thanked the president, who went on to say, "I can not promise it will ever be so. Wartime necessities will always trump all civilian endeavors. So my advice would be to maintain the status quo, but be ready to make adjustments as necessary. I fear this war will not be a quick one. Simply raising an army is proving to be a monumental task."

Rufus thought of Jimmy, who was now training in Georgia. And he worried about Joe, Rollie and Jack, all of whom were of military age. The government would be holding a "draft lottery" in less than a week - and of his sons, only Joe had a legitimate deferment thanks to his wife and children. But it was far from unimaginable that Jimmy might not be the only Barrell to don a military uniform. To his surprise, Wilson asked him about this.

"I understand you have several sons, Mr. Barrell," Wilson said.

Rufus nodding, replied, "Indeed I do - nine of them, in fact. Though only four of them are of age to serve, Mr. President and my oldest just became a father to twins. I do have a son who has enlisted in the Army and is training in Georgia."

"Camp Gordon, I believe?" Wilson asked.

Rufus was surprised and said, "Yes, sir."

Wilson noted that he knew about Jimmy because of the race in Chicago. "I have met with a Mr. William Merlon, a racing driver, who has a very high opinion of your son's skills as a driver, despite his youth and relative inexperience. He specifically recommended your son in relation to his suggestion of using racers as aeroplane pilots in our Air Corps."

Wilson shook his head, "Our Air Corps is, I'm afraid, virtually non-existent. But like our other military arms, that too is slowly growing, and General Pershing has advised me that Merlon's suggestion may have merit. What say you?"

Rufus, uncomfortable at being put on the spot, thought a moment before replying. "Mr. President, I know my son would be among the first to volunteer for the Air Corps if it were offered to him. And that my wife would shriek in horror at the thought. For myself, I would say that we should do whatever is best for our country, sir. And if my son would serve best as a pilot, then that's what he should be doing."

Wilson smiled ruefully and said, "A diplomatic response, Mr. Barrell. I am gratified that Mr. Owings brought you along."

As Rufus joined the others in shaking hands with the President, he thought of Alice and decided that he'd keep that last part of the discussion to himself.