The Washington times., 1917-02-13
WASHINGTON HEADS
AGAINST REDUCTION
President Minor and Manager
Griffith Will Oppose Any
Such Action.
AYERS COMES FOR A CHAT
Weeghman Wants Alexander
and EVers to Bolster Up
His Chicago Cubs.
AYERS COMES FOR A CHAT
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

National League, which seeks to re-
duce the number OF players allowed
each time in its circuit, the Amer
lean League will not change its own (
limit, and, IL Ban Johnson calls for
support from his clubs, the Washing |
ton club will be right in the front.
''The Washington club will certain |
" give Johnson its support in this |
matter" said Manager Griffith to-
day "why should we allow the Ma
tional League to benefit by taking
our excess players. Our scouts and
our money have provided these play
ers and we're goiuS to keep them.
johnson is absolutely right in his
stand.
d .aThe American LeagHe is ready to
start business now. From what
have been reading, many National
League clubs have but five or six
men signed. But IL we had to cut
loose a lot of our men, they would
20 right to those National League
clubs needing them. Fine business!
Both Leave Tomorrow
Both President Benjamin S. Minor
and Manager Clark c. Griffith viii
leave tomorrow for New York in or
der to attend the meeting of the
American League. The club president
is not expected to remain IN New
York any longer than absolutely
necessary, but the Old Fox may linger
to listen to the trade winds rafting
through the rigging.
DOC" ,Ayres has written Manager
Griffith that the salary offered him
is not exactly to his liking and that
he is coming to town from his home
in the mountains OF Hillsville county.
Virginia, for a friendly conference
Il guess we won't quarrel, SAID
the Old Fox today. Doc" didn't
have a very good season last year,
but he may flash to the front next
summer / never cut players who
are successful and I always leave
openings for them to earn raises.
Maybe that's what I'll do with Doc"
Ayres will probably be given bo-
nus for a certain number OF VICTOR
les.
Seeking Alexander.
Charlie Weegham. the wealthy owner
of the Cubs, is in New York today to
attend the meeting OF the National
League. He is also there with a plan
for annexing Grover Cleveland Alex
ander. His hopes seem doomed to bit |
ter defeat however. for II is most un-
likely that Alexander will be allowed
10 leave the Phillies.
Alexander has refused to sign con- |
tract for less than $4,000 a year for
three years. but that does not mean
that the Phillies will let him 60. Presi-
dent Baker, indeed, has said that II
his players decline to sign. they will be
allowed TO remain out Of baseball until
they grow old and decrepit, until their
very boards do touch the earth.
Also Wants Evers
weeghman is a fine little 'wanter."
He wants" Johnny Evers. the Braves |
second baseman. He has a-better chance |
OF landing the fiery Trojan than he has |
Alexander, for Evers is ''in bad" with |
both Stallings and Haughton and is
anxious to get away from Boston.
If the Cubs are to make any splash |
in the National League pond this sum
mer, they will have to get some good |
players. knowing this, Weeghman has |
made It known that money will not |
stand in the way Of A pennant for the |
North Side ChlcagOans. He Is said TO |
have prepared to spend $4,000 for new
blood. That's some money, some money. |
Nick CuIIOp Signs.
Nick CuIop. the Yankees southpaw.
has signed and Bill Donovan has
brought out his customary smile again. |
Some time back Donovan said that,
as soon as one player signed. he
would have all the players he really |
needed for the coming campaign. He |
was thinking about Cullop then and, |
now that the southpaw is hooked, the |
Yankees can begin dreaming OF pen-
nants.
American League managers don't |
seem to be having much trouble land
ing their athletes for the 1917 season.
Baird Is n HOIdout.
Douglas Baird, who broke into the
limelight last season as a most |
promising infielder, has openly fiout-
ed Barney Dreyfuss. Handed a cut
in salary, Baird has declined to sign |
his contract. He makes no mention
of the fraternity, making his whole
complaint on the size Of the salary Of
fered him.
Jesse Barnes, the big pitcher Mike
Kahoe dug up for the Braves, has
signed his contract and will be at
Miami when the training season
begins. Barnes is expected to prove
winner this season, as he has learn
ed a lot about the pitching art since
joining the Braves.
American Is In Front.
The caIiber OF a league is shown
by its younger stars Comparing the
majors, all the glory goes to the
American League.
The Giants have Holke, Robertson
and Ferdie Schupp. The Cards have
Hornsby. Meadows, and Bethel. The
Pirates have Schmidt, MamauK, Coop.
er, and Baird. The PhilIies have
Bancroft. The Cubs have FIack ana
Williams. The Reds have Mitchell |
and Wilhoit represents the Braves.
Ranging these young brilliants
against the big array of American
Leaguers shows the difference be- |
tween the two organizations.
Maekmen Have Many.
Connie Mack presents Witt, Elmer
Myers, Catcher Meyer, Thrasher.
Sheehan, Nabors, and Picinich.
Pep Young, Harry Heilman, Gun.
nishham, and Ehmke Rre with the
Tigers. !
FeIsch CIaude Williams Ness Nc.