Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-12-16
FINE: CHANCE To
GET" MURPHY
IS LET SLIP
BY w. J. McBeth.

AYEW YORK. Dec. l6.-Baseball
" comes into its own again, The
football season went out with
clash and bang-a season Of many
surprises
Now we return TO baseball and its
many winter vicissituGe.,. Last week
marked the real preliminary gun of the
1918 campaign, for it ushered in the
annual meetings Of the two major
leagues. There wasn't a great deal of
fuss or furry, either here or in Chicago.
The chief regret of the faithful who
visited these parts for the pow WOW of
the old major was that all the old com
rades were not on hand. 1t was felt
that Ban Johnson was somewhat ex-
elusive In calling the American league
conclave in Chicago. Truth to tell Ban
and his henchmen were not missed so
much, perhaps, az the customary ban
uuet of the Red SoX in celebration OF
the worlds championship. The little
fry. which cluster the corridors of the
fashionable hotels where the big gath
erinEs are held, hold II a high mark OF
distinction to rub elbows-or heels
over or under the festive board. John
sons meeting in Chicago shut out from
the feast not only the National league
magnates. but also the minors who saw
better opportunities OF barter at the
local gathering Jimmie McAleer viii
have to stand impeached or foster an
other love feast" when the annual
schedule meetings Of tho two big
leagues are held here next spring.
The annual meeting OF the National
league proved but q "squib' 10 the
special meeting called on November rs
for the suppression 81 Horace Fogel
former president of the Phillies, Hor-
ace was pretty well sque'ehed, II viii
be remembered when the conference
passed into history. The passing OF
Fogel caused no vain regrets in any
quarter Charlie Murphy, even, desert
ed him in the final dark hour as well
as Charlie II. Ebbets-parts OF the
usual trinity Of disturhers. The disci-
pine administered TO Fogel doubtless
will prove a great good for National
league affairs in general. though the
house cleaning aid not go far enough,
in the estimation OF most people in
terested in organized baseball.
Good bye, Good Radiance.
Organized baseball may have lost but
little in Fogel Stiil he was not the
worst offender. Charles Webb Murphy
was the real disturbing element. He
prompted all Of HoTace's outbreaks. H
inspired the damaging article which
appeared under Fogers signature in a /
Chicago paper: doubtless he egged on
F'ogel to write most of his inorimj
mating communications. He made Fo-
gel the goat OF his own disturbances
and then dropped him, IKE a live coal,
when he felt himself in jeopardy.
Murphy is very lucky individual %
be arong those present just now He
gave lt:ersnces to more csustic criti- (
cism OF the league and tho conduct of
its affairs than did the unfortunate Fo. 1
gel. But Murphy vas wise enough 30
do nothing more damaging than 20 |
peddle idle chatter He put nothing in |
black and white And when the big |
trial came he calmly denied everything |
and got away with II.
Had Goods on Murphy.
Had the National league possessed /
bit more backbone II might have made /
things uncomfortable for Mr. Murphy. /
II might even have slowed him away |
on the shelf with his friend Horace. II |
had the goods" on him But evidently !
ii figured one catch at time was very |
good fishing
A sporting editor from Chicago came !
10 the meeting with proof Of Murphy's |
duplicity in the form of a letter This !
nissive was q private communication |
a confidential billet"-and he refused |
to turn it over TO the authorities on |
that ground. The National league had |
a copy Of the letter and might. with /
some pressure OF diplomacy have se-
cured the original long enough TO adj |
nit IL as evidence and thus impICate 1
the boss Of the Cubs But il stalled |
too long and let the opportunity slip |
Thus escaped the real offender