The Washington herald., 1917-02-11
Griffith Says He Is Look
ing for Justice in the
Henry Case.
by JOHN A. DUGAN.

Thirteen may be an unlucky number
hut Clarke Grifith manager of the Ma
tionals, does not look upon the receiving
OF his thirteenth signed contract as an
unlucky happening.
Manager Grifith yesterday received
signed contract from one Of the members
OF the local tesmNand because he may be
a member OF the Baseball Players Fra
ternity, theNOld Fox did not care TO make
known his name.
After beating around the bush, the Old
Fox hinted that the new signer was a
promising youngster and one that is sure
OF making a position on his rebuilt ball
club.
The Old Fox Is confident that the local
players will turn in their contract. in
rapid order after the meeting of the
American League to be held in New York
City on Thursday.
Grif was little peeved yesterday when
asked about the Henry case, as 1t is evil
cent that he has heard both sides OF the
story. Sure Mr.. Minor and myself will
make the trip to New York to see that
the local club Is given square deal In
this question said the Old Fox last
night.
Il am with Henry until Ban johnson
or any Of the other officials can show me
that he has crossed the barrier Good or
bad, am for justice and we are making
the trip to see that We get justice. l do
not want anything to do with Dayy Fultz
and his crowd but II is a sure bet that
Henry and the Washington baseball club
and fans are going to demand justice in
this case"
Although different words may have
been used. Ban Johnson has announced
the railroading of Catcher John Henry,
Of the Washington team. Activity in be-
half of the Players Fraternity is the
cause. 6an has said something about
Henry not being desirable, and 1t is fig
ured that the Washington club will be
paid for Henry and then he will be
dropped. II is argued that Henry sent
out letters to players asking them to
stick by the Fraternity. He admits he
sent them to Washington players. but
that Is where his activity ceased. If
Henry merely addressed himself to the
members of the Washington team. Ban
hasn't leg to stand on as far as chas-
ing Henry from organized baseball Is
concerned. Even II he wrote to players
on other teams, It is questionable wheth-
er johnson has the right to go through
with his contemplated action.
Chasing Henry from the game will be
nothing more nor less than blacklisting
under a different name. He has merely
been active on behalf Of an organization
of which he is a member and has not
overstepped the bounds. Apparently
Washington will not stand idly by and
see the matter carried through without
a real kick. and by Washington is meant
the fans and writer's The folk in
the Capital have on more than one oc-
casfon felt that they have been discrimi
mated against by Ban and they are al
ready raising a similar cry.
Would Ban hand the same dose to Wal
ter Johnson IL he were in Henry's shoes?
Fans are asking this question and a mega
tive reply Is generally heard. The Amer
lean League needs and wants its stars.
While Henry is a good player, he is not
a Speaker, a Cobb or a Johnson. When
the Feds were signing American League
players of a more or less unSlportant
nature there was not much kick. ~
when Johnson signed up the American
League got real busy and spent real
money to get him back. 1t all depends
upon how big in a stellar way the player
happens to be just what action the league
takes under any condition.
\ few years ago the noble Redman was
a big factor in our national game. The
Giants had Chief John Tories Meyers bat
ting over $50. Just a step back Of Wag-
ner for the league leadership. The Ath-
letics had Chief Charles Albert Bender
pitching wonderful ball. Jim Thorpe was
rising against the horizon as a coming
star. Chief BLuejacket looked to be
find. There were others scattered here
and there. But today the ancient curse
seems to be following the first Americans.
His baseball shadow seems to be cast in
the sunset of a fading day. Chief Meyers
is barely hanging on, with the old war
club set below go. Chief Bender's big
league days are nearing an end, after
fourteen years in harness
The old stars are passing, and there
are now no new stars in sight to take
their places