Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-04

The reinstatement OF First Baseman
Hal Chase of the New York Yankees
by the national commission yesterday
is practically the first step toward get
ting something definite on the little
Tabasco Kid, Elberfeld, as the High
landers' first sacker has already given
out an interview on the subject. Chase
has all along claimed that his i'll health
caused him to jump New York and go
to the California outlaws" but in the
interview at san Jose this morning he
makes drive at the Kid as one OIL
his principal causes. The dispatch Is
furnished by the Associated Press. and
is as follows:
SAN JOSE. CAL February 4.-Fol-
lowing the receipt of the news of his
reinstatement last night, Hal Chase
said he would join the New York
Americans for spring training at Macon.
Ga. about March /. lie blamed Kid
Elberfeld'S policy ana i'll health as the
cause of his leaving last fall and said
ne iild inducements to remain in Cal
ifornia, but would leave rather than
be known as contract jumper"
This would clearly indicate that
Chase i the outs with Elberfeld,
and under conditions of this sort Man.
ager Stailings will hardly take the
chance .! diSrupting his team by keep
ing both under his guidance. With
Elbe:feld practically pushed off the
New York team, his only retreat would
appear TO be Washington.
The Kid was given permission to pick
the club he would Ike to play with. and
selected Washington. Manager CantiliOn
has certainly made Stallugs a fair offer
III either Burns or Ganley for Elberfeld,
especially when it is understood that he
wants to come here, and that no one else
Is particularly anxious to get him. Elber-
field is far above the draft price, but at
that II is a fair guess to make that Man
aSer cantilion will be willing to pay
from $1,000 to 5000 for, him, as there is
another club willing to buy Burns. the
big southpaw, at a stiff figure, which
would enable the Washington club to
break even on the deal.
Elberfelds contract calls for $500, and
the New York club cannot afford to keep
the tabasco lad the bench, So that
when it comes down to cases the WASH
ington club will finally secure him. What
* wanted is for Manager Stallings to
make his mind up at once, so that Elber-
field can take the trip to Galveston with
the Nationals and become better ac-
quainted with the other members of the
team n majority of the LOCALS are on
speaking terms with the kid but it
will take about two weeks for them to
understand his peppery ways and play
together without friction of any sort. Ell
berfeid knows so much himself, and is so
fast that he naturally looks for his team
he discovers a laggard he is not bit
backward in handing out the warm stuff.
This is the Kids only fault, and caused
the disruption between him and Chase
The Washington crowd is one Of the best
i'll the business for Elberfeld to work
with, as everything goes on the ball field
and nothing in the clubhouse.
If everything moves along smoothly the
transfer of Elberfeld to the Washington
club will be accomplished at the meeting
of the American League in Chicago week
after next. as all the managers and own
ers Will be there, and 1t only requires a
conference to complete the details. 1t
viii be happy day for the Washington
fans when Elberfeld signs local con-
tract. as Ii will give them a chance to
dream about first division possibilities, If
not the pennant.
How about Walter Johnson" writes
an admirer of the great twirer. Hush.
He's as good as signed"
The board OF directors or practically
the owners OF the Washington club, are
anxiously awaiting news from Manager
cantIllon. Joe has been in the woods
hunting for the past two weeks, and dur
ing that time his mail in Chicago has
been accommodating to a wonderful size
Every letter will contain news Of some
sort, and after he has gone over every
one he will naturally put the local man
agement wise TO the situation. Cam
tilion will probably reach Chicago next
Sunday night or Monday morning, and
next week should be crowded with news
for the Washington enthusiasts.