The Washington times., 1914-05-25
CAPITAL CITY FANS
WANT WHOLE TRUTH
Seek to Know Who Is Conduct
ing Organization and Who Is
to BE Believed.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

Judging by today mail. Inc
officials of the Washington baseball club
have not yet taken the matter to heart
to such an extent as TO offer an eXpla-
nation to an eXpectant city on the issue
that exists between them and Manager
Griffith on the corporations stand on
not seriously considering Sunday
baseball.
Last week the manager-who had
been the spokesman for the club-rc-
peatedly declared that d game would be
pla! ed Sunday il certain conditions
we're met: in a formal statement the
officials declared, without qualification
that such a proposition mad never even
been seriously considered The man.
ayers assertions printed in these col
umns, have the CorrOboratIon OF other
newspapermen; the statement of the Of
Tcials was signed by the president.
The issue is cIear-the people are at
once the judge and jury. That there is
an nsistent demand for an explanation
i evidenced by letters that have been
coming into this office from all sections.
The public seems to feel it has been
msied, so contradictory are the deClara-
lions of the two parties
That there is disSenslon amOnS those
who are directing affairs has never been
publicly charged, still the two views are
utterly irreconcilable. While supple
mentary statement is awaited, the good
work of the actual players is being
Clouded through the fact that the base
ball followers do not know what to
make Of the case.
Ii is not a question of the propriety or
lmpropriety, advisability or inadvisa-
hility. legality or illegality of Sunday
baseball. 1t is purely a matter of the
position of the Washington club that is
vital TO those who have patroniZed the
park and who are now supporting this
paper in its avowed determination to
obtain assurances as to who is to be
relied upon in the dissemination of news
concerning a corporation that stages
public exhibition
Developments of the last couple of
days Justify the assertion that the pub
lie wants an answer as to who is con-
Quoting the club This paper has ask
ed insisted and demanded an account
ing This stand will not be altered.
From every quarter have come COM
municat tiOns asking light on TINS par
tiCular angle Griffith has declared he
is running the club. The officials have
openly repudiated interviews he gave
day after day last week-have repu-
dated them in that the statement says
what Griffith had been quoted about
had not even been worthy of serious
consideration in the eyes OF other OIL
ficials.
when il published interviews declaring
that there was the strongest probability
OF q game at National Park yesterday,
We want to know. If our columns Were
thrown open for the public exploitation
OF A tissue of foundationIess statements,
based on assertions of the mouthplece
OF the club. we are equally as inter-
ested II Griffith is not qualified TO
speak for the company, as was indi-
h. dnrnHanr
from the president, it is matter OF
grave concern 10 the baseball public.
No, il is not a problem of Sunday
baseball 1t is a problem of VINO is TO
lie accepted as representative; what de-
pendence is to be based on news before
II IS exposed TO public gaze. The dla-
metrically opposed statements of last
week were shots that challenged the
very confidence of the supporters OF the
club The Washington club Is puDIlc
CORPORATION. 1t is sQuarely up to the
noard of directors TO explain TO thelr
patTUns who is and what Is 10 be Oe-
leved in the future.
This sporting department., and through
IL the public wants an answer. 1t IS
vital, II the Z I'D will Of the people Is TO
he retained. "a the meantime, the ques-
ION OF victory or defeat on the dia-
mugd the probable pitchers, releasing
ar signing new men, is all subordinated.
No newspaper started this muSS. IL
f. Iurey a matter of Veradty. NJ" took
W the case by asking whether NJ we're
Ia beliey the manager or the other Of
f'Cials As yet we have received no
answer But on the part % the public
and incidentally. in the interest OF haT-
U.Cuy and fairness to the ~ ASniliSIon
,lub. We await Il Satisl aClOTE t&plani-
non OF the whole trouble. As the infer
.rCc from the signed statement given
20. other paIcrs was that our articles Of
last week. that w. can support through
the testimony of other writers VINO were
lolG yirtUally the same thlnE, were ms
..adInE the explanation should be IN
The form Of a si.ned declaration.
N ne mean TINE we pause Tor an
answer TO The query: Who are the
IcOple to look to for the truth IN n.st-
rers OF public interest In the Washing
.,u baseball club"
40 matter how arrogant and unrea-
;, ma bile are SOme OF the ssOCkhO dcrS
.l attempting to dlSDarage our battle
.ur The Iruth th"y cannot i:lputc mo-
r:trs Of auinuS to the writer. Our
confidence III the Nationals has been
reiterated until tiresome. Through III"
.-Bu days. following the opening Of
'n,. season, idith was never lost. and
=! -" Columns we're crowded with ad-
..a to the patrons Of the club to abide
ih ne team. tnst better times would
follow. When Walter Johnson was he
!nr charged with almost every sin on
.He baseball calendar we pleaded for
laiIeuC".
cur faith in Griffith never falter-i.
Dn The field and il personal way
~, have had the highest admiration
snu have sJpuily defended the one who
s.t Washington on the baseball map.
-To=e facts-mattcrs Of printed record
r-Iuld silence charges of malice.
Between unrclentiugly backing a GAL
.aEt team OF ball players and being
asked TO endure such as Was handed
..H by the officials when they repudi-
ted the one We had been asked TO
.""k 10 for the truth. there Is a vast
difference. 1t is now Griffith or the
"tAers. We insist upon which before