The Washington times., 1917-02-18
Keeps Secret Identity of Four
teen Players Who Scorned
Dave Fultz.
BAN JOHNSON PLANNED IT
Harry Harper Expects to Set
Record of Victories During
the Summer.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

BY LOUIS A. DOBOnEhs
Manager Griffith refuses to name
the players who have signed up for
1917.
Harry Harper, Sam Rice. and
Charlie Jameson have signed, but
they do not belong to the fourteen
players who had signed before Dave
FNiltz surrendered.
Are you going to announce the
names OF the players you have now
under contract?' the Old Fox was
asked yesterday.
Quick as a flash came the deter
mined reply, NO"
Ban Johnson's Plan.
1t is understood that Ban johnson
has counseled all the magnates in
his league to keep secret the names
of those who flouted Dave Fultz by
signing without permission, hoping
thus to keep their Identities from the
players who held out to the last. 1t
is thought that the magnRtes fear in
ternal troubles between the two fac
tions, those who stuck to the fra
ternity and those who didn't.
Walter Johnson, Ray Morgan, Zeb
Milan, and Eddie Foster are working
out ironclad contracts continuing
through 1917.
Berry, Moran. and Flaherty. rockies.
have signed.
With Rice. Jameson. and Harper
in line. the Old Fox still has some
six or seven players to line I'D. But
he has fourteen other signatures TO
announce, those of the Griffmen who
stuck to the Washington club in the
face OF expulsion by Dave Fultz-
Trouble Ii Coming.
Troubles are surely coming on
many a field this summer. In tight
places, Oscar Stanage is sure to be
bawled out for his quitting the fra
ternity. Indeed, It is feared by manv
magnates that this condition will
exist inside OF club as well as be-
tween club and club.
Very likely Manager Griffith, pur-
suing the scheme outlined above. will
gradually let it be known that Sam
Smith, for instance, has just signed.
when really Sans contract has been
In the office safe for several weeks.
The fans can have little interest In
this proceeding. All they want IL 20
see. good baseball team and a VIE
tory for the home boys. But 1t Il
most important to the managers 10
guard against factional Quarrels and
the secrecy campaign is expected To
achieve that end.
Soldier As n Model.
It's in the air, very likely, but the
soldier will be held up to the coun-
try this summer as a model. Tn"
ball player will be filling the role
of a soldier.
Captain Illusions suggestion that
In, raflffary a
tion to and from the training parles
in the South will be taken up serI-
ousIy and before the Griffmen 6ave
Augusta, they will be looked over by
an army officer.
From the Hotel Albion to the Au-
Eusta baseball park is about a mile
and out Broad street the Griffmen
can parade daily. The street is dec
GRATED with shade trees and. even
a hot sun will not incommode the
players much
VIII Set Record.
Harry Harper believes he will set
q record of victories this summer. At
any rate that's what he said in New
York Thursday last.
"I feel right this very minute. and
not having put on any weight.
Shan't have to slave down. at the
training camp" Harper told the
writer.
I'm going out to make a record
OF victories, too; get that? ] lost
lot OF games last year because Of ig-
norance. but l also know NOW just
what to do the next time. You'll
have Harper's name up in that black
type. all right, II get started once"
AInsmIth In shape.
Eddie Ainsmith, who has spent the
winter here. could jump into a game
Of ball today. He Is at playing
weight and has kept IN good shape by
bowling in the Mt. Pleasant League.
Eddie Foster and Jim Shaw are
working out at the "G" gym under
the eye Of Mike Martin. Each has a
little weight TO remove.
The first party to leave for Angus
ia will get away from Washington a
week from Wednesday. 1t will CON
sist almost wholly OF pitchers. though
Ed Charity may be in the bunch.
Mike Martin, mayor OF Cherrydale.
expects TO leave next Saturday to
have everything ready for the ath-
letes at the camp.
The first thing the Washington
players will do when all together at
Augusta will be to send a message OF
consolation to the Newark InteTna-
tional Leaguers, who viii train be
tween snow storms At Charlottesville,