Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-22
BY J. ED GRILLO.

The long-hoped-for opportunity to al
least figuratively speaking apply sole
leather to one Charles Murphy seems te
be offered in the charges which Roger
Bresnahan has filed with the national
commission against the Chicago magnate
Simply because Bresnahan refused to
waive on a player whom Murphy was try
ing to get out Of the league to make a
deal for a minor league star, Bresnahan
was subjected to abuse and made the
victim of charges. Bresnahan acted abso-
lutely within his rights when he refused
to give his consent to the release OF Safer
to Montreal
Murphy has been handling matters of
this kind in a high-handed manner. He
seems to be under the impression that
when he asks for waivers on player
every club should consent, while on the
other hand he has blocked numerous deals
for other clubs by failing to waive on
players they wanted to get out of the
league Only recently Manager Griffith
had a deal closed for Phelan, a third
baseman, the property of the Cincinnati
club, but Murphy refused to waive ana
the deal fell through
Bresnahan's complaint cannot be ig-
nored by the comm: SSion. Murphy made
his TRADE against the St. Louis manager
in public His charges reflect on the in
a right to demand an investigation.
There may be no harm for one mag
nate to accuse the other of everything
short of murder. but when they make
such charges against ball players and
managers the time has come for those in
authority to sit up and take notice.
The time has come when for the good
of the game men of the Murphy type
should be set down upon, ana inns IN
stance. it is hoped, will furnish the op-
portunity.
If Jack Johnson persists in his demands
for a thirty thousand-dollar purse before
he will fight again, he is apt to be IDLE
for some time yet. Conditions are such
that is is decidedly doubtful II a match
could be arranged for Johnson winch
would Justify so large purse. On past
form there is hardly any heavyweight
who stands a chance to beat the colored
champion. Langfcrd may be figured to
have a look-in, but it is decidedly ques-
tionabie If a match between the dusky
pair would prove a drawing card, and
see their way clear from financial
standpoint before they would enter in the
scheme It may be that within the next
wear or so some heavyweight will be de-
Welcomed who has chance with John
son. but another year Of idleness will not
helm the champions condition nor his
hank account. That Johnson upon his re-
t,Irn here should deny all statements
to be wondered at. He was quoted as
saving that he was through with America
and that he would become a British SUBJ
iect, that he would never fight again,
and in addition to these statements it
was charged that his financial condition
was low, and that his physical condition
was such that he would find 1t difficult to
ever fight again.
II Is but natural that anything that
Johnson said in England regarding this
country does not go on this side. His
efforts will now be directed to work up
interest in himself. so that he will once
more be a stage attraction
Being limited to carry twenty-five men
during the regular playing season should
not prove q hardship to tho major league
clubs In fact, in some Instances at least
It will prove beneficial. for 1t is almost
as great handicap to have too many