The Washington times., 1917-02-10
WILL INVESTIGATE
HENRY NEXT WEEK
Manager Griffith Insists That
Big Backstop Receives
Square Deal.
SAWYER'S LETTER DOES 1T
SAWYER'S LETTER DOES 1T
Connie Mack Believes Whole
Affair Belongs to Club Rather
Than League.
BY LOUIS A. DOUGHER-

more than ordinary interest in the
big baseball meeting in New York
next week, for Ban Johnson, boss of
tn American League, threatens to
drive John Henry, the Griffmen's vet
eran backstop, from the league.
Henry is charged with inicting
American League players to strike.
such persons are undesirable in our
league" roars Ban johnson. "The
club owners will act upon the pro
posal to pay the Washington club
a reasonable sum of money and then
order Henry's immediate release"
From the little snow hills or Am
herst, Mass, comes the reply of
Henry to the effect that he has never
written or wired any players, eX-
cept those of the Washington club.
Sticks To Henry.
unless Henry has overstepped the
bounds. thus putting himself outside
the pale" said Manager Griffith to-
day, I'm sticking to him. He Is
the Washington representative of the
Fraternity and, from his viewpoint,
is entirely justified in urging his
clubmates TO stick to the Fraternity.
I'm not complaining about that in
the least.
dence Ban johnson has in regard to
this case. / don't even know what
action is to be taken in New York,
except what 1 read in the news
papers. However, you can put your
money on one thing-rm not letting
Henry be railroaded out of the
league. I've got to be sure he's
guilty OF breaking up the game be-
fore / am against him.
Printed Sawyer's Letter.
This whole affair. as 1 understand
it, started when Henry's letter TO
Carl Sawyer was printed in a Los
Angeles newspaper. But that is no
crime, for Sawyer is a member of my
ball club. Henry had every right
to communicate with him.
'T have not vet heard direct from
Henry in regard to this last charge.
But, I'm going to New York to see
that he and the Washington club re-
ceive a square deal. 1t isn't because
Henry is a good ball player. either,
for I'd do the same with a bat boy.
Henry has agreed to be in New
York next week and answer any and
all charges broughts against him.
Mack Against Scheme.
hbhhlt NldNhs bthhS w
Ban Johnson's intention to drive
Henry from the league, said that he
considered it more OF a matter for
the individual club involved than for
the league.
Mr.. johnson may have some infor-
nation that is not known to club
owners" said Mack. but on the face
of 1t 1 should say that il is not up
TO the American League to order the
release of a player. II 1 found one
of my players to be disorganizer
should simply get rid of him and
would not consult the league. / do
not think the league should order
one club to release a player and then
tell the other clubs that they were
not to employ that man.
"As for the club owners contribut-
ing enough money to pay Washing
ton for the release of Henry, that Is
out of the question. I think that
must be a mistake l certainly would
not do such thing, and / do not
believe such a suggestion will be
made at the league meeting"
Savors of Blacklist.
Ban Johnson's announcement saw
ors of blsckIIsting a player, and, be-
fore Henry is driven from the Ameri-
can League. the matter may be taken
TO the courts. Blacklisting is con-
trary to law, and President Fultz
promises to see that Henry is given
every form of legal protection.
The Washington club has every
reason to safeguard its own interests
and President Minor may go to New
York next week for that purpose.
His legal knowledge should come in
h. Ell IN lnT1
facing the club.
Dodgers Must Sign.
Apparently hearing of criticisms to
the effect that he had started some
thing he couldn't finish," Charlie Eb-
bets, president of the Brooklyn Dodg-
.rs, today announces that his players
must sign or see substitutes in their
places on the ball club.
Several New York writers have bit
terIy assaiIed Ebbets for his whole
sale salary-chopping OF players win
ming a National League pennant.
"They have my figures" comments
Ebbets, land these figures will not be
altered one cent: they are final l am
not swinging a club over the heads OF
the boys. I'm simply trying to bal
HnCe lne scales Oh GdEn. MS
be done. I'm sorry the boys cannot |
agree to my ideas. because they will |
be the losers, not the Brooklyn Club. |
The sesaon will start April IL, and |
the Superbas will be on the field with |
enough bench warmers and substi |
tutes to go through the season, and |
put up a stubborn fight for the pen
Bant"
Huston Has DIERers.
Captain Huston, part owner OF the |
Yankees, who served in the Spanish
American fracas, is getting columns
OF publicity by boosting military
training for major league players this
spring. Huston would have two
hours OF military drill each day at
camp and morning drills in the ball
parks, instead of the regular baseball
practice. He would also have the
players instructed in trench digging.
"Ha, ha, that's good" laughed Man
ager Griffith today. reading of Hus-
toms scheme. The Cap has plenty