The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-02-13
New York and Detroit Try
ing to Obtain Young
Backstop.
CALLAHAN MAY AID
GRIFF, IF POSSIBLE
Hugh McKinnon Insists His
League Is Major
Organization.
By SENATOR"

Detroit and New York are making an
effort to obtain the services Of Eddie
Ainsmith, of the Nationals.
With Clark Griffith at the league
meeting in Chicago there is nothing do
Ing at headquarters concerning base
ball news, but the reports from the
Windy City are that these two clubs
are bidding for the young catcher who
has done so we'll during his short serv..
Ice in the major leagues.
Griffith is not likely to trade the
player outright but, If the chance pre-
sents itself, he may offer a financial
proposition that will attract those who
are most anxious to obtain the back
stop.
No One Knows.
No one in authority in the Washing
Ton ball club today appeared to know
what players entered in the discussion
OF trade between Clark Griffith and
Jim Callahan, at that secret meeting in
Chicago yesterday.
Griffith and Callahan are as close per-
sonal friends as any of the managers
in the American League, and it is be-
lieVed that IL the opportunity presented
itself, either would be willing to help
out the other. Grifith's catching staff
has caused envy around the circuit,
while the Chicago White Sox have a
surfeit of promising material that has
yet to be tried out in a major league.
1t is probably upon this basis that the
two managers met yesterday.
Griffith said before leaving here that
he intended to talk to all of the mag
mates in the hope of being able to buy
some of the players they do not need.
so it would not be surprising II there
were some interesting news, so far as
Washington fandom Is concerned, be-
fore adjournment at Chicago
Hardly Serious.
The talk from St. Louis, to the effect
that Dutch Schaefer may be a man.
aEer in the Columbian League, that out
law organization in the middle West, is
not taken seriously.
While Schaefer has yet to sign a
Washington contract, liberal terms have
been offered to him, and as he is prac-
tically assured of a permanent berth,
either at first base or in the outfield,
the officials here do not believe that he
would be so foolish as to jeopardize his
standing by Identifying himself with
such "a venture as it is proposed to
launch in, the, West,
Hugh MckinrOn. who is looking differ
Wushingtons interests in the United
states League, the outlaw organization
in the East. left today for Cleveland 10
attend meeting of the magnates OF the
invaders.
McKinnon will be back by the end of
the week. and promises at that time
% make q pOsltiye announcement as to
WHO will manage: the Washington team.
Considering Several.
II have under consideration the names
Of several former players who want the
Job, but VIA not give out their names
until after l have talked with President
Whitman. said McIIInnon today
McISinn0n, Furthermore, took occa-
sion to ray something concerning the
war of words that has boon going on
between his fellcw-magnates for several
days. +. W. l.angraf, who controls the
Richmond franchise. is quoted as hav-
ing said that the United States League
is in. n" way major league, AID this
was immediately resented by Ambrose
: IIussey, owner Of the Brooklyn team
Mckinnnn Is of the. same opinion as
Eusscy.
"Of course, We claim that We have
Just as much of a major league as
either the American and National. We
toIial available, and, as soon as we
have a chance &c develop, | think VIC
will have Just as high standard of play
as you sec in either Of The big leagues -
IS the optimistic viewpoint taken by
President McKinnon.