The Detroit times., 1914-12-23
Proposed Transfer Will. How
ever. Greatly Strengthen
the Gothamites
WHERE HE'LL PLAY UP
TO WALT, SAYS LAWYER
Neutral Attorney Gives Opinion
on johnson Case That
FavOrs o. b.
BY HAROLD Y. WILCoI,

f* BY HAROLD y. WiLtsA,
Ii II Is necessary that Detroit should
spot the Yankees couple OF gooa
hall players In the approaching pen
mani race. President Navin could not
have improved upon the selection Of
Nigh and Pipp az the sacrihciAl oner
iisss The going OF neither player WIZ
greatly cripple the Tigers. while both
BOYS win be splendid acquisitions for
the Gothamites.
High has played utility outheid for
* two years, much or his time being
spent In Ty Cobb's center garden. dur
inx Cobb's holdcuts and vacations. He
has proven himself timely swats-
man, swift and accurate fielder. and
D youth OF decided major league class.
Pipp Is q Grand Rapids boy who
performs at first base. He was at the
Tiger training camp. last spring, and
proved himself so nearly the equal Of
Burns that Jennings did not choose
between the two until the week OF the
reasons opening. Burns got the call
because or his right-handed habits at
bat, and Pipp went 10 Rochester,
where he held the team up in the
running for the pennant throughout
the year by his clouting and fielding.
With Cobb Crawford, Veach. Jacob
sen and Holman, Detroit does not
need High, and with Moriarty and
Burns, the same goes for Pipp, al.
though both had been slated for the
squad next year. A better plan TO
strengthen the Yankees at the ex-
pense Of other clubs could not have
been evolved than the sacrifice OF
these Tiger cubs.
or course they may never go to
New York. Frank Farrell feels that
his name did not appear in print fire.
quently enough during the Rupert
negotiations, and he is up on his dig
nifty. asserting that the deal Is a fake,
that Bill Donovan won't manage the
Yanks, and that nothing that is said
e have been done in Chicago yester.
day and Monday really took place.
Farrell today Is putting a noisy Char
ley Murphy. However time will tell.
Meanwhtle the announcement of the
High and Pip transfer stands for the
day.
Rehg. OF Boston. and Mills. OF ST.
Louis, are two other contributions 10
the collection being taken up by the
American league Goodfellows for the
needy and homeless Yankees.
In these days of Mysteries and
squawky squabbling over the title to
ball players particularly the rights TO
possess and hold In princely bondage
one Walter Johnson high-brow
opinion OF the merits OF the claims OF
organized ball and the outlaws tosthe
possession Of the great twirler Is in
teresting. A neutral lawyer Of more
than ordinary standing in the legal
profession has this TO say Of the con-
tentions OF Uncle Ben Minor. of Wash
tngton, and Battling Jim Gilmore, OF
Chicago:
The federal claim, OF course,
sets forth that Johnson has sign
ed contract with them. con-
tract decided legal and binding
by their attorneys. They main
tain that the option clause In the
American league contract. pre-
viously signed by Johnson. is lille
gal, on advice OF the same attor-
neys. II Is impossible therefore.
to get around this self-evident po-
sition OF the Federal league: That
the word of signature of a ball
player is worthless when signed
TO any contract wherein their at
torneys can find technical loop
hole, but Is sacred when signed TO
any contract drawn up by these
same counselors. Even IL the OPP
ton clause first signed by John
y son should be found invalid, his
desire to live up to the terms OF
any contract first signed by him,
In good faith, must take prece-
4 dence over any subsequent agree
ment. In other words: While you
may not compel man to observe
the terms of the option clause,
you can not compel him to violate
said option clause II he, OF his
own free will, desires to live up 70
its terms and limitations.
II the Feds take the Johnson case
into court and garner that sort OF a
decree. 1T looks as II organized ball
would be In a position TO do some
lively plucking back Of players who
have hurdled. providing they are will
Ing to display the shekels necessary
70 put the hurdlers in the amiable
frame OF mind that must precede a
double flop
Al Platte. former Tiger and Provi-
dence player. has signed with Louis
Vile Platte IL Grand Rapids boy
ana got HIS start in the state league.
Pontiac Evnoct,