Evening star., 1914-02-11
h to Apply for Injunction Prevent Groom Playing With Federa<
MURPHY DEALS ORGANIZED
BASE BALL A SEVERE BLOW
His Action in Turning Out Evers Only Adds Fuel to
Federal League Fire-Henmann Thinks Outlaw
League Cannot Last-Other News and Gossip.

tracts. Hence the club does not have
to hold them any longer than it wants
to. l am for fighting the Federals. There
must be no compromise nor dealing. but
real fight
The arrival here yesterday afternoon
of President Gilmore and Backer
Weeghman of the Federal League caused
quite stir among the organized base
ball magnates. Rumor had 1t that the
Federal officials had come here at the
request of organized base ball and that
there would be compromise. This,
however, was denied on all sides. The
federals did considerable gum-shoeing
after their arrival here and were be
1eved to be in conference with Ned Han
lon OF Baltimore. who arrived here be-
fore noon. But nothing as to their inten-
tions could be learned
Notwithstanding the optimistic view
winch the big league men seem to hold
over the situation and the numerous
predictions that the Federals will never
open the season, there is no getting away
from the fact that the big leagues, as
Wen as the class A contingent OF the
minors. are much worried. The invasion
has already cost the big leagues fortunes
m increasing the players salaries and the
emu Is not near at hand, it is argued,
The minor leagues, of course, are IN a
bad way, because the presence of Fed
erals in the field undoubtedly eliminates
.hem from selling any of their players to
tile majors next fall. Such players are
sure to be approached by the Federals
ana shem onered 1.ensd bonuses for signing with
clubs to the big leagues. they will not
snare IN the money which Is paid for
them. There is no doubt that some of
the minor leagues live on what they get
eacn ian out OF the sale of players, and
Wnen this practice is discontinued, as 1t
VIII be when the Federals are in the field,
IT Will mean disruption for most of the
little organizations.
From organized base ball circles comes
the story that Joe Tinker was handed a
check for $4,000 when he went over to
the Federals. but that this check is
dated January l.. 1915. It is intimated
that the outlaws have really laid out III
tie or no money. but have been working
on a bluff. Tinker, however, came back
with statement to the effect that the
supposed check was really a certificate
OF deposit. showing that the league has
put his money in bank for him and that
ne can draw it from now until January
l OF next year. Just which contention
is correct no one. of course, can say, un-
less the Federal League display its books
Dock" Miller an outfelder, who fin
ished the season with the Philies last
year and was sent to Montreal has
signed with the Cincinnati club. Miller
had been claimed by Baltimore. but Man
ager Herzog of the Reds signed his con-
tract at the Waldorf yesterday after
noon.
Incidentally. Garry Hermann won
one-thousand-dollar bet on Miller's sign
ng. He had made arrangements with
sam Llchtenstein. owner of the Montreal
club, to sign Miller. and insisted that he
could do it In two hours. Lichtenstein
offered to bet $1,000 to SO that Miller
could not be signed in less than two
weeks. believing him to be out on the
coast. Hermann took the bet, and the
money was posted. and just an hour and
twenty-five minutes later he produced
a contract signed by Miller. It seems
that Miller is practicing in a hospital in
Brooklyn. and it cid not take Hermann
long to get in touch with him. He.
however, refused to take Lichtensteins s
money. but compromised on dinner for
a party of ten, which the Montreal man
had to pay for.
Griffith says he is sincere in his threat
to enjoin Bob" Groom from playing
with the Federals. IF Bob jumps 1 will
go into court and prevent him from
playing said Griffith. II am not bluff
ing. I expect. however. to hear from
Groom when l return home for have
written him to let me know one way or
another just what he has done or in
tends to do
adopted today. From what is learned
from a semi-official source the Nationals
will open the season in Boston On April
IA. where four games will be played
Thence Griffith will go to New York and
is scheduled to open the season on his
own grounds on April %. This means
that about eight games will be played
away from home before the Washing ton
fans will get chance to look at their
favorites in championship game.
Those familiar with affairs in Chicago
insist that there is not a chance for
Weeghman to go over to organized base
ball, even though elaborate inducements
are made him. He Is said to be game
sport and sure to go to the last ditch
with the Federals. While there is GER
tain element in organized base ball which
would be willing to invite Weeghman into
that side of the game. there are those who
oppose this plan In both major leagues.
and it is questionable whether it can be
swung or not, though there is no doubt
that such a plan would be effective in
putting the Federals out Of the running