The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-01-07
MANAGER GRIFFITH
DEFENDS HERMANN
IN SCALP|NG CASE
Says Cincinnati Magnate Is
Absolutely Honest in
Dealings.
NO OTHER MAN COULD
FILL PLACE ON BOARD
However, Criticism Continues to
Fill Air About
ss Scandal.
q - as u
By SENATOR"

"They can kick and veil their heads
OF because they think the National
Commission did not do it's work properly
N probing that ticket speculation at the
worlds series. but I. for one. am con-
WINGED that II anything else could have
been accomplished. 1t would have been
done before Garry Hermann ever
sigred the report
This is the view taken by Clark Grit
nth concerning the discussion of the
failure Of the baseball board to mete
out punishment to some enc for the
scandal last fall.
II was with Hermann for three years,
and II there Is a whittier or moro sincere
man in baseball than this same Garry.
q have never met him. He Is so straight
Of a handicap to the Cincinnati club,
for. being on the board, he In inclined
to stand SO straight that he Is likely
to fall backward whenever any decls-
tho commission. lost two cases while
I was AT Cincinnati because Hermann
voted against his own club when I was
convinced we had rights to players who
were denied us.
Talk All Bosh.
This talk we heard last week Of hav-
Ing Hermann give way to some one
else as chairman Of the commission is
all bcsh. There Is not a man in Amer
lea who could ill the place as conipe-
tently as Garry has. and from where
stand 1t looks like he has the job for as
long as he can be induced to remain.
This is IN no way supposed to take
credit from Ban johnson or Tom
Lynch, but anyone who 10 familiar
with baseball cannot deny Garry
Hermann or fail to appreciate what
he has done for the game"
:. This coming from one. who for
three years was as near to Hermann
rs any man living. is a pretty high
tribute. Griffith had his troubles In
Cincinnati. but II a person wants to
Knock the chairman of the national
commission in the presence OF Grif-
nth ne has the Washington manager
i DESPITE st the opinion of erifnth as to
worth H. OF Se
fision Of the commissions in the re-
port on the ticket scalping continues
70 come from all sections OF ma1o
league baseballdom. Some 20 so Tar
Not arise to the occasion and take
Some drastic action and adopt non.
Elastic rules. 1t will be question Of
Put a few years before the whole
Hhe general public as nothing but a
grating proposition, an opportunity
oE the d sISScessful clubs to pay of
3ties by passing along tickets that
Eill be sold at greatly advanced
prices.
Y Were Disappointed.
4 Many Washingtonian who pulled
Ill season long for the Athletics in
HE hope of seeing at least one game
In tbs series was sorely disappointed
last October and should the Athletics
once more finish in front and there
thould be no change in the arrange
Hents concerning the tickets there
VIII be many others who will suffer
next time.
A time time KSes on NJ, It APP; appears more Dr.,
leaguc. which is threatening to place
1eilure because Of the impossibility
obtaining enough financial support
to enable 1t to weather the storm
Which IT must expect when It at
of the teams in organized baseball
es guaranteed by the national conf
rThe first real evidence of the prep
eration of the white flag Of surrender
0omes In the announcement that in the
death OF Orlando HERMAN, a New
York millionaire, the proposed league
lost one who had offered a guarantee
for funds. This. real estate operator
being silent in the grave, cannot deny
fhe report of his ante mortum promise
mt II Is interesting to note that, al
though the league has been under con.
Iteration fol- many weeks, Herriman's
Aame was never coupled with the prop.
osition until after he had died.
Today another evidence of the prob
Able financial weakness of the venture
came when It was learned that one OF
the prime promoters whose name hal
been prominent in the affairs Of the
teague since the first announcement OF
Its formation, has but recently beer
declared a bankrupt In a Pennsylvania
court. This official has been held up a.
one Of the, Representatives magnates
pessimism and liberal bank accounts
he would appear to be a rather veal
reed to be leaning on when the In
evitabie call for real money is made.
Most Are Known.
While there may be some substa ntia
support for certain of the franchises
most of the names of those who are I,
control the projected clubs are familiar
Jaw undertakings in the past. Will,
an arch-promoter and perennial Opt
1nist, Al Lawson, Is missing from tn,
roll OF honor, and most of the others seen
TO be hy-by-night promoters of spor
who are hardly likely to prove impress
ssive when they try to sell stock to mel
lof real standing in the business circles
iof their respective cities.
4 Composition In baseball. as in utheI
things, is the life CT any business, blu
the United states League of PROBES
gional Baseball Clubs has yet t. show
that Il lis the Moses to lead the poo
oppressed into the land of promise an,
shatter the shackles by which the ma
tional commission holds the star play
ers In Involuntary serfdom.