The Washington times., 1912-02-27
Big Backstop Discovered
in Little Town in
Arkansas.
NATIONALS TO PLAY
BALTIMORE APRIL Fl
Leader Relinquishes Hope of
Getting Montreal First
La Baseman.
By SENATOR"


Aided and abetted by old King
Sleuth," chief OF the individual police
force of the rising and prosperous
municipality of Carthage. ILL.,, Clarke
Griffith today located Alva Williams,
tho catcher obtained in the triangular
deal in which Jack knight and Charley
Street also we're irclL ded.
Williams is at Stuggart, Ark. on a
trip, and as he is not expected back at
Carthage for several days, Griffith
wired to the player at once to report
here next Sunday ready to start the
Tip to Charlottesville with the other
battery candidates. In addition to the
, telegram to Williams, Griffith also
wired his profound thanks to the sheriff
who abandoned his usual duties for a
day in order to help out the WASHING
ton club.
over the long distance telephone Grit
fifth today arranged Cor an exhibition
game with the Orioles at Baltimore on
Sunday, April 81. On that day the Ma
tionals will I've making jump to Bos-
ton. After looking up the schedules
Griffith found he could stop over for the
afternoon, and at the same time be able
to make connections to the new home
of Jimmy McAlcer, so he accepted
Jack Dunn's offer FOR an exhibition cor
test.
Gives Up Effort.
Eo further effort will be made by
Clark Griffith to obtain Chick Gandil,
the Montreal first baseman. whose work
was one Of the sensations OF the Eastern
League last season.
For weeks Griffith was in COmmunica-
tion with the Canadian management In
the hope that he could induce them to
part with their prize. and at one time
he thought he would surely land his
man. A sudden change in management,
however. so altered conditions that
Montreal put L prohibitive rrice on the
player, and Griffith has decided to rely
upon the first base talent already the
property Of tie Nationals.
Il was hot after Gandil for some
time. but was finally forced to give 1t up"
auoth Griffith today. "There was y
Washington, and we bad a personal
conference jill the matter. For q while
Thought we would get the first base
man, but when Billy Lush was appoint
ed msHaSer the whole thing changed
and will not 20 further in the matter
Gandli Is good man, and ! would like
TO have him but simply can't get him."
Flynn May Sign.
Before another day has passed the
signed contract of Jack Flynn Is ex-
pected to be in the safe of the Wash
ington ball club.
Manager Griffith has received word
from the aspirant for first base that
the player and pilot practically agreed
upon terms weeks ago. no delay is an
ticipated in the formal closing of an
agreement whereby Flynn pledges his
best efforts to the Nationals Flynn
has spent most of the off season in
the woods of New England on hunting
expeditions and should be ready for
some pretty strenuous sprouts when he
Joins the second division of the parade
that Griffith will head at Charlottes-
Vile.
As soon as Flynn goes through the
process OF signing there will be but two
men on the Washington rolls whose
contracts have not been promulgate
They are Clyde Milan and Alva Will
liams. Milan and Griffith have agreed
TO postpone signing until the center
fielder has reported and has been af-
torded an opportunity to talk oyer mat
tiers with his chief, but with Williams
1t Is different. At the time the adipose
bacEstop was transferred to Washing
ton, he and Manager MCAleer, of Bos-
ton, were in a verbal battle over the
question of terms and there is pos
ability that there may be hitch here
Can't Be Found.
To add further to the uncertainty con-
cerhing Williams, he cannot be found, in
IN endeavor to locate him, Griffith
wired to the chief of police in Carthage
ILL.,, Williams home town, and yes.
terday received a wire in reply that ole
I John Sleuth, the town constable, haC
polished up his trusty badge and haC
sailed forth in pursuit of the elusive
ball player.
AS soon as Williams is located he
will be directed to trek eastward so al
to be here not later than next Saturday
to start for the happy training grounds
There he and Griffith will hold a SEES
. sion, and debate the question as Il
what remuneration is due the man whit
was the third party in the deal in which
Jack knight and Charlie Street alst
figured.
Michael Martin, who is to kneed tn
bruises and stiffness out of the tiret
limbs of the players under Griffith, will
be the first representative of the Clul
10 locate in Charlottesville. The da,
after tomorrow Martin will take gTi
in hand and go to make final arrange
ments for the comfort and convenienc
OF the thirty odd men who will be Their
within two weeks.
To Engage Servants.
Martin will engage a rctinue of serv
ants and formally take possession O
the house in which the team will live
He will have it cleaned and ventilated
all the beds made tidy, and on Sunda
will have general supervision of tn
preparation of an old-fashiOned Dime
which will be the first Of 1912 for tn
Nationals in foreign lands.
Griffith has about decided to start tn
movement to Charlottesville on the
o'clock train on the Sabbath, and tn
players will have as their co-passenger
about twenty rising young athlete
from the University of Virginia, WI
will be returning from their contest
in the Georgetown meet on Saturda
evening at Convention Hall.