The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-12-17
Much Foolish Chatter
About Washington Club
Is Going the Rounds
Alleged Stumbling Incident StirS Stove League
Dopesters-Tip for Ban Johnson-Three
ShortStopS, One Third BaSeman.
by THOMAS S. RICE.

Western baseball writer's just dote on
a piece of scandal. They wallow
choice bit around their tongues like a
sewing circle discussing a mesaillance,
and pour It forth from their typewriters
with all the eager enthusiasm OF a fe-
male reformer discussing what she
Tanks are women's wrongs.
The latest morsel of title tattle to
grow UP with the West is the story that
President Tom Noyes. OF the Washing
ton Baseball Club. was snubbed, cut,
trapped etc, at the American League
meeting in Chicago. Unanimously and
precpitately accepting a suggestion TO
that effect. based upon the substitution
Of Charley Comislkey for Mr. Noyes on
the joint rules committee, and the fail
ure to elect Mr.. Noyes TO the board Of
directors of the American League, the
Western space killers and baseball-lead-
everyday writer's nave proceeded to
make a showing by enlarging upon
those incidents as indications that our
idol has been shattered, our Monument
overturned, as it were.
Bore Him No ViOlets.
Cease such chatter. Not being crazy
with the heat this December. Mr.. NOyes
did not go to Chicago TO pull of an
Ajax stunt and defy the entire American
League 1t IS true that when he left
the station for Chicago he did not carry
a bunch Of violets for Ban Johnson.
Nor did he have the last bit Of his
wedding cake in his inside pocket to
slip the American League chief. Mr..
Noyes was under obligations to return
a compliment to Johnson, for Johnson
handed Mr.. Noyes and the Washington
fans a nice juicy lemon in his devious
deal with Jake Stahl before the national
commission last spring when he sprung
a secret meeting OF the commission to
hear the Stahl case, and adopted other
methods OF the old-established Johnson
brand.
But lemons are cheap and can be
presented by any individual who wlshes
TO lower himself to make that kind OF
a gift, and the Washington baseball
official could hard w be expected 10
show his appreciation by return COM
pliment in the way of rare exotic or
a large diamond.
Peace for Awhile.
That Johnson bulldozed and bully
ragged the Washington club in the
Stahl matter is the opinion OF those
here familiar with the insldes OF the
case. and that he would not hesitate TO
repeat such tactics for his own per-
sonaI satisfaction without regard TO
the needs of the league, IS not cons C.
cred unlikely by those who have come
into contact with his clustering ana
bluffing but that the Washington clubs
president went to the league meeting
for the sole purpose OF stirring up
trouble is a joke.
Mr. Noyes did not want that Job on
the rules committee and thereby showed
his good sense. He did not want a
job on the board of directors, for, as
far as anybody can see. the directors
do not amount 20 a tomtIt in a whilr
wind. and successfully tried to elude the
position. That's all there is TO II. and
the whole subject of Johnson's effort
10 run rough-shod over the Washington
club will probably lie dormant until that
boisterous but none the less artful indi-
vidual pulls of another Of those little
tricks which are so spectacular when
exposed.
Tip for Johnson.
That Johnson has done much for the
American League none Will deny, but
he could do a vast deal more for him
self and the organization II he could
rise above some OF his petty methods.
be strictly open and above board and
stop playing minor politics which graf
ify his own vanity but breed strife In
stead Of strength in the enterprise he
controls.
The report that Manager CantiIlon Is
to let Minneapolis have Catcher jim