The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-10
Offer of $4,000 for Walter
johnson Refused by Owner.
Highest Bid in Baseball for a
Kansas Player.
THOSE CONFEDERATE FLAGS
Return of Captured Emblems Is
Bitterly Denounced.
'sTeaches Disrespect'' for Stars
and Stripes, Is Plea.


AIeer. president of the Red Sox, has
offered $4,000 cash for Walter johnson
of Coffeyville, Kan, Washington'S won
derfuI pitcher. 1t is the highest price
ever offered for a baseball player
about twice the Marty O'Toole figure.
That shows just how anxious Presi-
dent McAleer was to win the worlds
series this year. Here is the story
which has just come out. McAleer with
Ban johnson and Clark Griffith was
dining at a club in Washington. The
talk was baseball and McAleer finally
looked at Griffith and said: "Pn give
you $4,000 for Johnson and you turn
him over to me tomorrow. Here's
thousand dollars right now to bind the
agreement
Are you kidding me?'' was the re-
ply of the Senator's manager
mo, I'm not Kidding replied Nc
Aleer. Here's the $1,oo on the Ia
BILE
Griffith refused to consider the of
fer.
The return Of captured flags to the
confederacy is being vigorously oppos-
ed by members of the Grand Army,
and another protest broke out when
Mrs. Isabelle Worrell Ball of Larned,
Kan, recently elected national vice
president of the Womans Relief Corps,
denounced the present policy as trea-
son before Lincoln camp last night
Il know that 1 invite criticism by
this statement" declared Mrs. Ball, in
opening her address. 1.-THE Grand Army
of the Republic, the veterans of the
victorious Union army are fostering
and aiding a sentiment of hostility
towards the American flag, which is
treason
1.-THE returning of the confederate
flags which were captured during the
war was one Of the worst steps which
could have been taken toward the
desecration of the Stars and Stripes.
The flags have been returned to the
south and placed on exhibition. Chill
dren are taught to respect that flag,
even above the Bible, and as re-
suit, know no flag but that or the
confederacy."
Grand Army officers and member of
this city are inclined to look with sor-
row, rather than indignation, upon the
charges of Mrs. Ball that the Grand
Army is furthering a spirit of hostility
to the Stars and Stripes by returning
to confederate organizations the battle
flags captured by the Union soldiers
during the civil war.
There is a general Discrimination among
the veterans to discuss Mrs. Balls
criticism, because they feel that her
anything else and that further agi-
tation would do no good. The fact that
several of the past department com
manders of the District of Columbia,
who heard her criticism, seemed to
give it their Endorsement, may have
something to do with the refusal or
other department officers, as well as of
post commanders, to discuss the sub
ject.
Those who were willing to talk de-
clared that no harm could come from
returning confederate flags to con-
federate organizations, particularly
where there is an exchange of flags
between the Grand Army and the
Confederate organizations. They feel
that such an exchange would be an
important factor in closing the breach
between the two sections of the coun-
try.
That the members of the department
of the Potomac will take no official
notice of the criticism of Mrs. Ball
was indicated by Osborn H. Oldroyd,
assistant adjutant general Of the Dis
trict department. He expressed re-
greet that the criticism had been made,
but declined to give any private or
official views regarding the matter.
The production of zinc ore in 1911
in the United States was 271, 621 tons,
valued at $3O,964.794, according to a
report made by the geological survey
During the period Kansas produced
761, 465 short tons" In production the
sunf1ower state holds second place in
zinc production of eight states. Mis-
souri, leading by S,f62, 076 short tons.
Seven Kansans have successfully
passed examination for appointment
a s second lieutenant in the army. They
are: William r. Gruber. Fort Riley;
Floyd c. Hecox Eighth infantry; JOS
eph F. Richmond. Fifteenth cavalry;
Roy S. Brown, Fifteenth cavalry; Troy
H Middleton, Seventh infantry. Fort
Leavenworth; Estil w. Smith, Salina;
Carl ]. Ballinger. Coffeyville.