Evening star., 1914-02-13
FEDS PLANNED To
RAID NATIONALS
Tip From President Mavin of
Detroit Puts Griffith on
His Guard.
SCHEME TO CLEAR WAY
FOR ATHLETICS WALK-IN
Local Teams Only Hope Is to De-
velop Pitchers to Fill Vacancy
Caused by Groom's Action.
BY J. ED GRIILC.

That the Federal League originally in
tended to make Il raid on the Washing
to1 team and was prevented! from so
doing only because of the aiertness of
Manager Griffith in acting on "A tip he
received from President NaVin of tht, De-
trot club came to light at the recent
meeting If the American League in New
York. The Feds had planned to weaken
both Cleveland and Washington IN order
t. give the Athletics cl"ar sailing for
the pennaut neNt season. thus making
runaway race Of it, which would Mil in
terest in the American League campaign.
!. happened that President Navin of
the Detroit club, hearing that Willett
was negotiating with the Fcdersls. sent
Trainer Harry Trhiil to Chicaso to head
off the big pitcher. TuthiI got there too
late, hut learned from Wilett that the
Federal League had assured him chat
four or FIVE members of the Washington
team had joined their forces: Tuthili. IN
reporting on Willet' added this sisnili-
cant line to his telegram to Navin:
Washington hard hit.
Navn sent the message 10 Griffith,
working the wires soon haj himself in
communication with his players. 1t re
quired many Increases IN salary, hut
within ten Gays he had his entire team
lined up and the Federal League was
til warted.
The Federal League Efforts SO far as
Cleveland were concerned We're success
fui in signing up Falhepbers. Blandns
and kahler, Eddie Foster of the locals
also was wanted, but Griffith got to him
just in time to prevent his being coaXed
into the ranks of the outlaws
Proceeding OH the theory that Bob
Groom will not be a member OF the Ma
tlonals the coming season Manager
Griffith realizes that he must depend
upon one or two OF his young pitchers
to ill the gap left by Groom. Notvilh
standing the fact that Washington fans
not in the least disturbed by Groom
act on. Griffith feels that he Will have i
hole to ill if Groom fails to report.
Groom was not winner last season. yet
his work away from home was far bet
ter than on the local grounds. There
is also a chance that he might have Il
good season in the coming campaign.
Furthermore he is seasoned and the
young fellows cannot always be relied
upon.
But Griffith believes that his pitching
staff will be stronger than ever even
with Groom absent. for he considers
himself as being well fortified with
young pitchers. Griff, however. wants
Groom. and if the latter has really
To resort to the courts to prevent him
from playing.
When Murphy secured Roger Bresna
han il was believed that he eventually
intended him to manage his team. The
job was believed to he for Bresnahan
in the event that EverS should fail. Bres-
nahan no doubt was also under this i'm
preston. and he Will probably resent the
engagement of Hank Day. and there
i,jy IN lta nj a1C a ,t
altogether on the Cub roster. Evers
made a splendid showing with the Cubs
last season. No one believed that he
would be able to finish in the first d-
vision and yet he was good third
when the race was over. 1t is doubtful
indeed if ODay viii be able to duplicate
this performance. If ODay is man
aeer. he still has to prove ii. Murphy
who thinks Hank has chance to make
good. for when Cincinnati turned him
loose after u years trial. none OF the
other clubs made an effort to secure
him.
But for owens Joining the Feds. Grif-
fifth would undoubtedly have added Mike
Mitchell, the hard-hittinS outfielder of
the Pittsburgh team, to his squad. Drey-
fuss had agreed to such trade. and
Griffith had notified that club to open
negotiations with Owens The latter,
however. insisted on twelve thousand
dollar contract for three years. which. of
course was out of the question for
player just coming from the minors. and
the deal was called off. There is still "a
chance Of the Natio, ais landing Mike
Mitchell. if the Pittsburgh ciub decides
not to carry him. He would be val
liable man for the Nationals. because he
: an excellent pinch hit.cr, and especially
IS that true when he is asked TO face
eft-handed pitchers.
Sporting Editor Star;
I have lust received d letter from my
brother Elliott. who states that the re
port of his signing with the Pittsburgh
Federal League is false. lie states that
the manager OF the Pittsburgh Federals
wrote him several ilunications urging
him TO meet him at the Hotel caswe1l in
Baltimore for the purpose of talking busi-
ness. but he had Informed the manager
that under no circumstances COULD lie
consider a proposition. as he had already
affixed his signature 70 a contract with
tho Atlanta team and would stick by II.
Very truly yours.
W. G. DENT.
Ar