The Washington herald., 1917-10-30
By JOHN A. DUGAN.

why pick on me and the Wash
Ington Ball Club"
Just stop one minute and figure
out whether I could afford to sell
or trade Walter Johnson.
why, there is not money enough
behind any club in either Of the
big leagues that could pay the price
/ would want for Walter" said the
Old Fox last night in reference to
the story that Miller Higgins, the
wee big man" now manager of
the New York Yankees. had put In a
bid for Johnson's services.
According to Huggins he Is willing
to give some real big money for
the smoke ball king, and Colonel
Rupert and Captain Houston, own
ers OF the Manhattan tribe, are will
ing to go the limit for Higgins in
purchasing any player he figures
would bolster up the Gotham club.
But Miller this trip has cast his
eyes in the wrong direction. as the
Old Fox would not part with the
services OF the king-pin Of the
mound at any price.
would you consider a trader" was
the next question put to the Nation
ais pilot
II made a statement last summer
that I would consider any kind of
a trad that would benefit my club,
but I do not see anything in the
lineup Of the Yankees that would
trade Walter. Johnson for. do not
believe I could let Walter go and
feel justified, II in return I obtained
the entire New York club"
Il offered to pull a deal last sum-
mer," the Old Fox said, "in trading
Walter johnson for Ty Cobb, Iris
Speaker, Frank Baker and George
Sisler. but you know well a deal like
this is impossible, and could never
be handled satisfactory for all con-
cerned. but that is just how feel
about it, as I believe Walter Johnson
IS the greatest OF them all and to me
he is beyond price that can ever be
offered by any other club in major
league baseball"
When asked IL Higgins had made
any suggestions to him for the pur-
chase Of johnson. the Old Fox claim
ed that he had heard nothing Of the
New York club wanting Walter ex-
cspting what had come over the
newspaper wires.
The Old Fox handed Higgins a big
boast and claims that it will be the
former Card Manager that will put
New York on the baseball map II
their Is any chance of him buying or
developing players
Ecsing in sideways. Griff was asked
about the signing Of Walters con-
tract of next season, as It is known
that the three year contract Of the
'smoke-oall kings" expired lost Octo-
Der. Griff stated that he was conf
dent that he would have no trouble
in attaching Walters name to a con-
tract this season and that 1t would
be time enough to break into the
"Old Stove League of baseball after
the college and scholastic elevens had
finished their football schedules.
In spite Of the National Commits
sion's rule against Transforming"
two teams of major league PLAYERS
are touring the Southwest. They
opened at Kansas City a week ago
yesterday. The Americans include
Walter Johnson. Doc I.avan, DerrilI
Pratt, Pete Kilduff, George Sisler,
Zach Wheat, Mack Wheat, Becker
and Packard. The Nationals are
Douglas Baird, Max Carey, Casey
Stengel, Rogers Hornsby, Hal Chase,
Riggert, Tierney, Snyder and Grover
Cleveland Alexander. The Nationals"
won the game in Kansas City, 4 to 8,
the pitchers being Johnson and Alex
ander. What will the Commission do :?