New-York tribune., 1918-01-05

Armando Marsans and Frank Gilhooley.
Wait minute, now; l did see Frank
Baker play one game with the Ath-
letics against the Browns some years
ago in st. Louis. But. with these ex-
ccptions, my new club is strange to
me.
"Still. from what I have read and
heard, / have every reason to believe
fecklNpaugh one of the best, if not
the very best, shorttielders Of the two
leagues. think Pratt would plug up
one apparent inhcld weakness imnc-
diate,y But to get HIM | do not pro-
pose to make bigger hole in a more
important spot.
Irving Every Minute
"They've spiked my guns, all right,
for the time" smiled Huggins. but
they have not captured all my ammuni-
ton ard small arms. I'll be in there
trying every minute, anyhow, from now
to The end Of the season. Yes, nave
some other trades up my sleeves
trades or purchases. it doesn't matter
which. | am sure something Will de-
velop before the team leaves for the
training camp at Macon"
Huggins had intended % establish a
city residence on his arrival here, but
because Of illness in his family will
leave for Cincinnati this afternoon. He
expects to return at the end OF ten
days or u couple OF weeks. TO remain
right on the lob till the close Of the
championship season.
Huggins spent most Of the afternoon
in routine business that directly con-
Germs himself. He has in charge the
preparation Of contracts for 1918 toI
the unsigned players. There are few
hodover contracts, Baker. Gedeon
Shawkey and Nunamaker being the IA
vored ones. Before he leaves to-day
Higgins will have decided upon sal
aries of the others. Contracts Will be
mailed early next week.
Higgins has decided upon a short
training trip for his ball club. The
main squad will not leave this city for
Macon, Ga, until Friday, March Is
though the pitchers may be sent South
a week or ten days earlier so as to be
ready to cut loose in batting practice
when the full squad starts training.
Huggins is not at all superstitious
and will brave Friday start in order
to make sure of reaching Macon by
Sunday, March II. He wishes TO get
down to the heavy work on Monday
March 18. He is giving. himself
against any disappointment in trans
portation delay.
Thirty Players Going South
Higgins plans to take no more than
thirty players South. There are thir-
ty-fve-the full quota allowed by the
roster limit-~under reserve now. OF
the number, however, Pitchers Ray
Fisher and Smallwood are in the army
At least three, and possibly more, play
ers will be traded or cast adrift before
the assembly is sounded. SO far the
Yankees have not been hard hit by the
draft. What may happen is problem
attic. Only Baker and Marsar( are in
eligible to draft. Baker is over age and
Marsans is a Cuban. Fifteen of the re
mining Yankees, however, are married
and many more have close blood rcla-
tions depending upon their salaries.
From his observations in st. Louis
Higgins is of the opinion that there is
very little likelihood of Rogers Horns.
by escaping his fate. He believes that
nothing short Of a tremendous cash
consideration would tempt Branch
Hickey to part with this fine young
shortstop. Money might tempt the st
Louis president only because of the
fact that Hornsby is unmarried and
therefore eligible to an early call ir
the draft.
Th manager Of the Yankees further
reports that Hickey made popular
move in securing Jack Hendricks as
leader Of the Cardinals Cosey Dolan
former Yankee. Cardinal and Pirate. is
campaigning for the management oi
the Indianapolis club. the vacancy lef'
by Hendricks 5 transfer TO the Mounc
City.
The annual meeting of the Natona
Commission in Cincinnati next Monda,
and Tuesday will doubtless nttrac
most of the major league magnates tc
Garry Herrmann's town. A great man,
matters of vital interest and genera
Importance must be settled before tn,
opening of the 1918 season, and th'
sooner these are strai ightened out tn,
better. The amusement tax to bs
levied against baseball is one stickler
After a thorough discussion join
committee will be appointed TO take NJ
the matter with proper authorities il
Washington.
Another question to be decided re
lates to the new division of wor,,
series prize money. Only the share
to be drawn by members Of the worls
champions and their rivals have beer
determined. The cut-up for member
of the second. third and fourth team
of each league must be decided upon
BEYOND this. Of course, is the oppor
tunity of trading. The market ha
been much more active this season
than ever before. Practically ever,
club is envious of rival talent or de
sirous of unloading excess baggage
This fact of itself should assure
fun attendance in Cincinnati
Immediately after the Cincinnati
meeting the Joint schedules committe
will leave for the Dover Hall Club
near Brunswick, Ca, to prepare tn
drafts of dates for the National an,
American leagues for the coming yea1
The Dover Hall Club is shootin
and fishing preserve in which mos
Of the major league ma gnates. as wei
as other prominent sports men OF th
country. are interested. On the join
schedules committee President Ba,
JcxHson will represent the America,
I.er <ue. President John X. Tenel
Secretary John A. Hevder and Barne
Dreyfuss will act fer the Nationa
League.