New-York tribune., 1918-03-15

AS a general rule, the actions of the
great stars of the game reflect the
attitude of the rank and file of the pro-
fession. Strikes in the past have been
attempted. Invariably they have broken
up because of the failure of the
geniuses to stick through to the bitter
end once their personal differences had
been adjusted. Wherefore the case OF
Grover Cleveland Alexander in his re-
lations with the Cubs is likely to nave
!: marked influence on the behavior OF
his former teammates, whose retlcence
at present is causing such worry to
those in command of the Phillle camp.
Grover Cleveland Alexander and his
renowned battery mate, Bill Killlfer,
were purchased by Chicago some weeks
ago at a tremendous price from the
Quakers. Chicago gare UP battery
Prendergast and Dilhoefer- and $6O,o0O
for the pair AS has usually been the
case in such matters Of frenzied finance.
he should share in the divvy. Alex
ander demanded bonus of $4,000 as
balm for his transfer from Philadel-
pha to Chicago.
Show down Long Coming
A showdown between Alexander and
his present employers has been com
ing for the past several weeks. This
show down came to a head yesterday
on a train that was carrying the Chi
cago Cubs to their Pasadena, Cal,
training camp. Manager Fred Mitchell.
of the Cubs. told Alexander he might
have bonus of $4,000 for signing a
1918 contract, but that that was the
last word of high finance.
Alexander held out for the $4,000
and threatened to leave the train if it
get it. And he didn't get off the train.
1t would appear that the champion
pitcher of the National League was
we'll. Just chucking q little bluff. 1t he
has folded when that bluff was called
as appears to be the case) the prop S
will be knocked from under a lot of
the other holdouts-the eight men OF
the Phillies, for instance: Alexander
is the only member of the Cubs un-
signed Pete Kildutf. the second
sacker and former Giant, made his
peace with Mitchell before the club
reached Clovis, n. NJ.
Baseball players appear after all to
be only human. Those of them who
are left for service undoubtedly would
sooner WELD their ashen truncheons
for lucrative salaries than to shoulder
muskets for Uncle Sam at $50 month.
The have yelled long and loud against
alleged serfdom. But they captulate
daily in astounding numbers.
In which connection it may be whs-
pered that old Cotton Top" Terry
Turner, the veteran intielder of the
Cleveland Indians, weakened at the last
moment. Terry, who was running ram
,ant in the National League at the time
Hans Wagner and Larry Lajoie broke
into major league box scores, and who
is now the dean of major company,
signed his contract at Cleveland yester-
day in time to leave with the second
squad for the training camp at New
Orleans. Pitcher Bill Bagby, of the
Indians, is the only player of conse-
Quence unsigned.
Few Local Worries
Few local worries from hold outs re-
main. Practically all of the Yankees
and Dodgers who can possibly affect
the chances of these two teams have
enrolled for 1918 service. Charles Her
zog's Indifference, of course, continues
to provoke the Giant peace of mind, as
1t may entail the cancellation of trade
that might have been beneficial to the
New York and Boston clubs of the Ma
tional League.
Herzog. however. is the only source
OF worry. McGraw has talked jim
Thorpe into reason. Davey Robertson
temporarily retired to devote his time
TO government work, has promised to
help the cause of the National League
champions should they suffer additional
losses to military necessity.
Friends Of Captain T. l.. Huston, half
owner of the Yankees, will be pleased
to learn Of his good fortune, fine health
and success somewhere in France" in
command of very active company OF
engineers engaged in most important
work for the cause of democracy.
Major j. I. Russell, of Roosevelt
Hospital, and Captain James, of Belle
vue, have just returned from France
bearing messages Of greeting to the
friends Of the dearly beloved Captain
These officers, VINO we're established
with A medical unit Of the United
States abroad for many months, were
messmates of Captain Huston for many
Captain Huston" says Major Rus
sell, "has done and is doing the most
wonderful work. He is one Of the
most universally esteemed and dearly
loved officers ! met in France. His
work there has been the grandest pos
sible endorsement Of American cngi-
neering skill CAPTAIN Huston, per
Eona!ly, has been directly responsible
Tor the proper sanitation of many O.
the most important base HOSPITALS
over there. he has superintended tn,
construction Of many important rail.
ways essential to final success.
=, Inere IS no more serious officer II
the service, though his affabIc spirit.
and sunsh:ny disposition are quite a.
pronounced as when he PLAYED abor
New YORK with no military and few
business cares. He is beloved of hf
men because he never asks them To d,
anything ne considers beneath his owr
oofficlal dignity. He is a born leader
ms company would die TO the last ma,
10 snicid him from harm.
"Captain Huston is working from
O'Clock IN the morning until 10 o'clocl
at nixht, every day The physical an,
mental reserve Of the man is truly AZ
founding. Yet he thrives on this work
wnich ~ nearest and dearest 10 hi,
heart. He has taken off mrch weivn
And appears ten years Younger thai
when he arrived over there
Tell tsosc fellows back in the goo.
old Z. s. A. was his parting iniunc
ton. tina. there IN Il war on ever here
We will held up our own end IL tn
civilian population docs not fail
"That vas mis- message 10 lis friend
in this country" Major Russell con
cluded. ITO thoSe Who know the cap
tain no mere need be said