The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-01-27

Murphy Returns to Cubtown
After Talk with Higgins,
Who Refuses Offer.
(By Irving vaughan.)

u for excitement. one way or the
other, according to Charles WEIGH
Murphy, president Of the Cubs. The
west side chief, who returned yester-
day from his two-day stay at Ctncin-
natl, announced that a trade with the
St. Louis club is improbable: that he
had not received a warning wire from
Frank Chance. ms stated in dispatches
from Los Angeles, and. lastly. that he
wants the public to know that he is
not interested in the Philadelphia
club, outside of holding a half inter
est in the Quaker park.
Speaking of the trade he had ex-
pected to pull off with the Cardinals.
Murphy admitted talking terms with
Miller Huggins. manager and second
sacker of the St. Louis crew. Several
different propositions were discussed
at length, but Just what mon were
slated for trade the Cub boss refused
t say. He wished to withhold all
names because Of the dissatisfaction
usually arising from a PLAYER. who is
rcported on the market and who fails
to be transferred. d.
May Trade ut Meeting
The only possible chance for a
trade now is at the National league
schedule meeting in New York next
AllOlINIls AAcIlAuoOA AINSA0 ~ ~ AoA
ply there and the two will confer
with Higgins. but the Cub boss has
little hope of landing the men he is
seeking. While he wouldn't admit it,
it is q certainty that "Slim" Sallee. the
elongated southpaw HEAVIER. is most
desired, while Konetchy is only a Sec
ond consideration. as Safer is consid-
cred capable Of filling the first base
Job.
A deal with Philadelphia will prob.
ably be taken up along with the Car
meeting. Murphy hasn't said SO, but
he is after a pitcher from Manager
Doom. and it would not be al all sur
prising il Evers were negotiating
along this line at the present time.
Murphy was indignant to think that
some reckless scribes had dared to
quote him as saying ne wanted to get
Eppa Rixey. He hasn't mentioned
any names in this connection. but If
the Cubs get q. pitcher from the Phil
lies it will not be Rixey-it will be
either Brennan or Moore.
Murphy couldn't quite understand
why Chance should send him a wire
telling him to refrain from making
any, more personal attacks in his
numerous interviews and statements.
He saw he refrained from %prolonging
the wordy controversy last fall be-
cause Of his realizing that Chance
was not in the best of health follow
ing his operation at New York. He
claims 1t VAS consideration for the
former Cub leader hat made him
stop talking and not any threats Of
exposure by Chance.
To Murphy's way of thinking the
message was sent. He says 1t
is a typical product of California. the
Land Of Fakes" meaning in so far as
newspaper reports are concerned. To
show that he was anxious about 1t. he
called UP the telegraph offices and
made inquiry, about such a missive.
but was informed that there was no
record OF it's receipt. However. the
Cub owner has made his reply in case
the message was actually sent by
Chance and he says as follows:
Il have not received the message,
but have read the G X of it in the
morning newspaper reports from Los
Angeles. Chance refers to the way he
forced me to remain silent last fall.
but it vas not because OF anything he
said. I had some regard for his con-
dition and did not care to upset him.
1t is said that Chance can, tell things
about me thai will force me to drop
out of baseball. If he actually said
this l give him free rein. He is at
liberty to tell anything he pleases
about me. as l know Of nothing that
Is as serious as he says. I don't want
to get into another newspaper battle,
but I don't want the public to believe
that Chance is in possession of facts
that reflect on my activities as a club
owner.
Denies Owning Philllcs.
Let INC add that I am not a stock.
holder in the Philadelphia club. l
am opposed to syndicate baseball and
can make affidavit to the fact that no
conditions exist at present In the
National league. I purchased half of
tho Philadelphia ball park from
Charles p. Taft. hut this gives me no
say In he running Of the club. The
stock Is held by the men mentioned
when the sale Of tho club took place
But didn't you mt one time, say
as late as last fall. own stock in that
was then asked of Murphy.
II refuse to answer that question. [
say that I nm not o the holder OF
any stock in that club" was the reply,
He would not deny a story that ne had
given Frank Chance the impression
that he was interested in The Quaker
Murphy announced that he had re-
ceived tho signed contracts OF Tommy
and Bert H,mphries. the pitch
or obtained in the Tinker trade. Leach
Ia spending the winter Mt his home i'm
Pa. q suburb Of Pittsburgh.