The Washington times., 1917-06-05
SENTIMENT RETAINS
GRIFFS' FRANCHISE
Ban johnson Insists That
Capital Will Keep Club.
SUGGESTS FED PROPAGANDA
'Big Boss" Prefers Losses Here
to Profits Elsewhere.
SUGGESTS FED PROPAGANDA
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Sentiment. II nothing more. Will
keep the American League in Wash
ington.
Ban johnson. confronted in New
York by reports that the local fran
ehise would go to Baltimore, Brook
lyn, or Toronto. came out very
strongly against the proposed scheme,
saying that Washington had done
much toward popularizing baseball
and that sentiment is connected
with our operations IN the Capital
City OF our country"
In addition. Ban suggested that
the original tale connecting Balti-
more with the American League
might have been fathered by those
formerly allied with the Federal
league in that city.
Baltimore Out Of II.
1--WE have never considered Balti-
more" said Ban johnson, "for our
circuit since the town forfeited its
franchise fifteen years ago. I can
not understand how such an absurd
story originated in connection with
the Oriole City.
Perhaps such propaganda was sent
out to influence the coming lawsuit
between the defunct Federal league
club stockholders Of that city and
organized baseball. This suit is to
come up for trial in Philadelphia next
Monday.
Il have heard suggestions that II
might be well to move the Washing
ton club, but they did not impress the
American League and ] doubt II they
were made seriously.
Stick to Washington.
THE sentiment Of the league is to
stick to Washington. There is a
sentiment connected with our opera
tions in the Capital City OF our
country. It has been a tremendous
force toward popularizing and incul-
eating the good name and sportsman
ship of our national game.
Il can truthfully say that the
American League would sooner oper-
ate in Washington at a loss than
elsewhere at a profit. Washington
has done a lot for the American
League. The American Leagues does
not propose TO forget its obligations.
1t would be a shame in this national
crisis to take the best class of base
ball away from the Capital City"
Toronto Bobs Up.
The latest candidate for a fran
chise in the American League is To-
ronto. and Arthur Irwin, who used
to comb the brush for the Yankees
until discovered to be a high-priced
luxury, is responsible for the yarn
coming out OF New York.
Irwin is now in the metropolis. and
has Informed the eager scribes that
he Is seeking to transfer the Wash
Ill
by the Fourth OF July. Arthur al
ways did like his little Joke, and this
seems in line with some Of the junk
he annually passed out when the
magnates gather in the winter up
against the mahogany.
MenOsky Gets Trial.
Mike Menosky seems about ready for
a trial In the Griffmen's garden. as was
shown by his starting yesterday against
the Browns. He did not remain long
in the lineup. giving way TO the demon
hitter, Hank Shanks, when a sJuthpaw
hurler mounted the slab.
Menosky is a yOungster. fast on his
feet. a good fielder, except OF. ground
balls. and with an arm OF iron. How
well he can hit major league pitching is
not known, but he has been going
through a course OF sprouts calculated
TO teach him how to get the most out
OF his swing, and he may deliver the
goods.
Barney Wants HOnuN.
The poor work Of the Pittsburgh
Pirates has soured their followers. and
Barney Dreyfuss is making a bid for
popularity by angling TO obtain the serv-
ices OF Honus Wagner. the famous vet
eran shortstop. II begins to look as
II he might land him, too.
Wagner's retirement last April caused
much comment all around the major
league circuits. Some thought that his
passing would aid the team. but Gala
hans bunch is just as bad as ever. and
Wagner is needed more.
UNI 1nuT,r INN uGHuy