The Washington times., 1912-02-25
Montreal's First Baseman
May Come to Local
Club.
"NIG" CLARKE MUST BE
TAKEN BY THIS TEAM
Ban Johnson So Rules in
Wordy War Over
.,EiS Backstop.
By SENATOR"

Not vet satisfied with the material
available for first base on the Nation
ais, Clark Griffith is bidding for the
services of "Chick" Gandil, of the Mon
treal club, according 10 a telegram re-
ceiVed here today from the Canadian
city.
That Gandil is the best first baseman
in the International League is a conces-
sion that is made in every city on the
circuit, and the demands that the Mon
treal owners are making for the player
may kill a deal. = 500 a.. - ''
Billy Lush has but recently assumed
managerial charge at Montreal, and he
is going slow about disposing OF talent
although it Is said he would be willing
to part with his star if he can get
players from Griffith who might add
to the power of his Canuck club. The
Montreal people say Griffith has made
a strong financial offer, but fearful
OF the protest that might result from
such transaction, they want players
Griffith has disposed of SO many of
his experienced men that he has few
more that might be considered in a
deal, but If an exchange can be effected
no one need be surprised If Gandil is
the property of the Washington club
ere long.
Declares War.
Manager Griffith has declared war on
Col Bob. Hedges, of the ST. Louis
Browns, for forcing Mig Clarke on
the Nationals. Griffith charges Hedges
with being "Consarned deceitful
cuss, and says he won't ever speak
to him again. Furthermore, II he
writes any letters to this club, they'll
never be opened or answered." threat
ems Griffith.
After getting word from President
Ban johnson yesterday that he would
not have to take Clarke. the Nationals
boss felt pretty good, almost like hav-
ing another. But suddenly he woke up
for another message came from the
whipper-in of the American League, ex-
planning that letter written by Grif-
nth sometime ago to Hedges would
have to be taken as an acceptance of the
veteran catcher at the waiver price of
$l,500. Then Griffith exploded He is
expected to be resting somewhat more
comfortably today, but his fever is
still very high and applications of ice
brow.
Just Like Spring.
Under baseball law, when a player
wires or writes that he has accepted
terms offered, it is just as binding as
his signature on the contract Griffith,
in discussing Clarke to Hedges, wrote
that he would never pay $500 for him
and would not consider anything but the
waiver price. Wise old Hedges kept
that letter and, thinking to get rid of
his hold-out, shipped this letter to Ban
Johnson. The leagues monarch has
rt,1e hot is n 90 ~
acceptance of the player at the waiver
price.
II Clarke comes to the Nationals, he
will never appear in a uniform here.
Griffith says he doesn't want him and
will sell him Just as soon as he can ar
range the deal. But right now, Grif is
fiat on his back, amazed at the alleged
drplicity of Col. Bob Hedges.
Leave Next Sunday.
Next Sunday afternoon the first SQUAD
OF the Nationals will leave the Union
Station for Charlottesville, Va, cha
peroned by Manager Griffith. Mike
Martin, the teams trainer. will go dowr
to the training quarters Wednesday VI
Thursday, so as to have everything
ready for the noble young athletes or
their arrival.
In the first squad will be Tom Hughes
Buck" Becker, Dixie Walker, Cotton
Johnson Jerry Akers. Joe Engel. HI
Allen, Paul Musser, "HTsk" Cashiol
and Joe Boehling. pitchers; "Massa
John Henry, E. "Dorf" Ainsmith, anc
Alva Williams, Catchers; Bill Cunning
ham, the second basemdn, and mos
likely Ray Morgan, the third baseman
Hughes, Becker, and Engel are al
ready in this city, and the newcomers
may be expected to drift into toWr
about Friday or Saturday. They have
all written that they will be on the jo
bright and early, and that means tina
the season Is due to begin this Yer!
week