The Washington times., 1915-09-03
Griff DefieS Feds 10
Keep Mayer On Bench
Ban Johnson Advises Griffith to Play Outfelder as
Soon as He Reports and That Outlaws
Have No Hold on Him.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Before taking a chance on playing
Sammy Mayer in his outfield. Manager
Clark Griffith conferred with President
Ban johnson here. He was told to go
ahead. that MAYER was a free agent
and eligible to sign with the Washing
ton club. However. the Brpokfeds
claim to have a string on Mayer. and
may invoke the aid Of the courts as
soon as Mayer appears in the washing
ton lineup.
I'm going to play MSyer as soon as
he reports" said the Old Fox today.
HE never played with the Feds. and
he tells me that he never signed with
them. either. That's good enough FOR
me. II he had ever appeared In the
Brookfeds' lineup, / wouldn't have any
thing to do with him. but he never did:
80 I shall give him a trial here. II
Camel has any claim to him. let MN
prove It.
Before President Johnson left town.
l asked him about my right to use
Mayer. and he told me that, so far as
he was able to learn. Mayer was free
agent, and eligible for my ball club. l
should worry about Camel and the
Brookfeds.'
Mayer conferred with CAMEL in
Brooklyn yesterday, promising to see
him again after the ball game. He did
not show up, however, and was sup
posed to have started for Washing ton.
The Chicago Cubs have been after him.
but President Hampstead. Of the Giants,
declined to run any risks or lawsuits
by signing the sluSger.
President Ban Johnson has gone to
New York and from there Will go to
Boston to investigate the charges that
wholesale gambling is prevalent at Fen
way Park. His short stay here was TOT
business Of a purely routine nature.
! Frank B. Conger, former postmaster
of Washington. saw his first profes-
sional ball game In thirty-one years
yesterday, when he watched Harry mar
per 20 down to defeat at the hands Oh
his hitless mates. He declined to grow
excited over the exhibition, saying that
thirty-o years ago they played JUST
as good a game as they do now. II rs
doubtful II there is another fan In the
Capital. though. who has not seen a
professional game in thirty-one years
Conser was once identified with a strong
down third base Press of business
has kept him away from the parks ever
since 1884
Harry Harper has fallen under the
curse botherng the other Griff tWlrlers
ali season. Though he pitched great
ball. giving but six scattered pngies,
famed four and passed but two. he lost
to the Yankees. to o. because the littie
old bingle failed to appear behind him.
Now Harry knows how 1t feels 10 ne
mound hero with the hitless Wond-
ers.
In discussing that contest. one must
hand whole lot Of things to 800
Shawkev. The former Mackman deliver
ed the real goods. all neatly wrapped
and tied with blue ribbon. Only four
hits were made off him. and not =
Grlffman reached third base. Shawkey
had excellent control. Merlin Kopp get
ting his only free ticket in the ninth
inning. He kept the home boys pop
ping up or going after bad balls all
afternoon. At the same time. strictly on
the merits of the two twirlers. the con-
test should have extended into extra
| innings. for the Yanks had bunch OF
luck when they got that lone tally In
the sixth.
! Doc Cook coaXed a pass for be-
! ginner in the sixth. Harper tossed out
| Iiartzell and wild pitch put Cook on
| thr Paddy Bauman hit one to
George Mcbride. who got the slow
| footed Yankee with room to spare at
first. Gandil attempted to double up
Cook Mt the plate. and should have