Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-28
WINTERS DENIES
COCKILL'S STORY
Local Manager Reads Letter
and Makes Final Statement;
Secretary Seiss Talks

Before leaving for his home on Sat
urday Manager George Cockill said the
controversy over Pitcher Winters was
closed for the present He is still of
the opinion that he was not treated
fairly by the local twirler and that his
old-time friend, Bill Coughlin, gave
him an ugly deal.
Pitcher Winters. writing to a friend
from Scranton, denies that he has vio-
lated any confidence and claims that
no offer was made to him by Harris
burg. The letter received from Win
tiers follows:
Just received your letter and also
piece out of paper. Well. had a talk
with Cockill down in front of the
Patriot one evening, but he sent for
me to come down there to see him.
and he told me to come over on the
island whenever l could. / was over
three or four times and the day Scran-
ton was there Coughlin was talking to
me. and Cockill, seeing this, sent for
me to come over to the clubhouse.
was pitching to Scranton for batting
practice at the time.
Talks With CockiH
'T went over to the clubhouse and
had a talk with him (CockilD and he
asked me if l could come over when
they came home for more practice.
said 1 would providing / can get off
work. But he said nothing about con-
tract or money. So that evening went
down to seee Coughlin, as he asked me
Ito go along. He told me what he
would give me and said he would use
me in my turn to get the experience,
as he had no chance for the pennant.
so he being a good friend of my
boss, he spoke to him, and my boss
says to me, If you want to go to Scran-
ton, will leave you off for a month
& \, ffaY-
from Cockill l would have stayed at
home. (But 1 am glad l came to
Scranton) SNOW BALL"
What Cocl1iII Says
Manager George Cockill when shown
the aboV eletter said: "He is not tell
ing the truth. I had conversation
with him at the clubhouse. He asked
me if he had a chance to get with
Harrisburg and I asked him whether
he wanted to do anything this season.
Winters told me that he would not take
up any other work before next season;
that he had a chance to go with Scran-
ton, but was told that Bill Coughlin
was not a good man to play with, and
he would rather stay in Harrisburg.
Winters said he preferred to wait until
next season, and 1 advised him that
II was a good course to pursue, as he
would probably be in better shape to
talk business. and I offered him a
chance to stay in Harrisburg.
HE was pleased with what | said
and gave me assurance that he would
stay here and not go with any team
this season I supposed he knew what
II meant to give me his promise, and
/ was more than surprised to find he
had gone to Scranton. l gave him
every chance. No teams were men
toned. as he did not ask for any, and
promised to practice with the Harris
burg team"
Secretary Frank Seiss was present
during the conversation between Man
ager Cockill and Pitcher Winters and
said yesterday:
After promising George that he
would not sign up for this season, and
preferred to stay in Harrisburg. l was
more than surprised when I reached
Scranton to find Winters there play
ing with Coughlin. l could not under
stand why he would go back on his
word after being so sincere with his
promise and pleased with the advice
Manager Cockill gave him. I under
stand there was a tempting offer, and
if this can be proven, it will be a ques-
ton whether Winters can play at
Scranton. He told me he was there
for this season only, but I was told
that he had signed for next season
also"