The Washington times., 1917-09-07
BAN JOHNSONMUST
NOW SETTLE ROW
AMONG BROWNIES
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Ban johnson has more trouble on
his hands. No sooner does he clean
up the Baltimore rumor situation
than an outburst comes from another
sector Now it's in St Louis, where
Phil Ball, the new president of the
Brownies, openly accuses his play
ers of quitting in the face Of the Chi
cago enemy, thus besmirching the
claims Of the White Sox to being
the best club in the American
eLague.
Without a doubt, Ban will be right
on the job. He will never allow this
to run too far, for 1t would make
his league look ridiculous, and the
boss Of baseball never endures that.
Fans everywhere, however. are
watching the situation along the
Mississippi, for 1t is most important.
About ten weeks ago the first scan
dal appeared in the camp Of the
Brownies. Frank Baker, the Yam
KEGS third baseman, was charged
with tampering with Allen Sothoron
and one or two other Brownies. 1t
was said that he counseled them to
jump the team and sign up with the
Upland team, of the Delaware County
League, an independent organization
in Pennsylvania
Baker Il ExOnerated.
The exoneration OF Baker was as
speedy as his accusation was start
ling. Ban johnson hoped to his task
Immediately, demanded explanations
from Baker, and visited St Louis to
listen to the Brownies themselves.
Bakers delay in filing his answer
caused a slight furry, but when it
arrived at Bans office, backed by q
sworn affidavit from Paddy Bau-
mann, who heard the whole affair, it
was convincing.
With Baker found innocent, 1t de-
Veloped that some of the Brownies
had spread the tale for the purpose
OF coaxing more money out of the
St Louis club. They were dissatis-
ned with conditions and were willing
70 talk about their troubles.
Allen Sothoron had inquired OF
Baker concerning conditions in the
Delaware County League, where
Baker had played for a season with
the Upland club before Joining the
Yankees. The big third baseman had.
advised Sothoron to stay right where
he was. showing him that it would
be the greatest folly to jump or
CANNED baseball for the bush stuff.
Apparently the dissatisfaction con-
tinued In the camp OF the Brownies.
Fielder. Jones has ever been known
as biting cutting driver OF men, and
he has been living up to his reputa-
ton since becoming manager OF the
st. Louis club.
Phil Ball. who was a Federal
League magnate before the death Of
the independent organization, comes
forward now with most serious
charges. Reaffrming the appoint
ment Of Fielder Jones as the teams
manager, he charges his players col
iectively with laying down." claim
ing that they were seeking to be sold
or traded TO other clubs.
Those fellows are all wrong when
they think they can do that with me"
says President Ball. They're going
TO stay right here and be made to
give their best efforts for Jones, who
VIII remain at the head OF the team"
Ball Makes n Mistake.
Undoubtedly Ball is in deadly earn
est He may believe his PLAYERS to
be quitting, but he might better have
conferred with Ban johnson than
with the eager and energetic ST.
-4Stss VIM hdSleneQ TO tell
the world all about II.
1t is most unfortunate thar This
outburst came right at the close Of
the Chicago series, for many fans
not knowing the real inside of the
national game, may believe that the
White Sox have ben given their viz
tories over the Browns this wear
Fifteen out OF twenty-one tusseIs
with the Browns have been wins FOR
the White Sox, and now they are All
tainted in the minds OF many foolish
fans.
Ban johnson may issue a statement
or he may not, but he will waste no
time IN settling this bad situation.