The Washington times., 1918-08-11

IL
II the Red Sox do happen to
stumble, it is more likely that the
Cleveland Indians may stagger across
the line winners of the pennant Lee
Fohl's team is closer to first place and.
therefore, better able to take advan-
tage Of the shortened campaign. The
one tough thing facing the Indians
Il the scheduling of four games at
Georgia avenue, beginning August 81.
II the Cleveland club has jinx, IL
n the Washington club. History may
be repeated If the Griffmen slam the
Indians pennant hopes to the ground,
for Washington has ruined Cleveland
At least twice in this league.
Won't Change Schedule.
No changes are to be made in the
American Leagues schedule. 1t was
decided last week in Cleveland that
all teams would play out their string
according to the official schedule as
printed in the book. No games are
TO be advanced from September in
order to make doubleheaders to at
tract larger throngs.
The National League, on the other
hand, has begun Juggling dates. At
tendance figures in several cities,
notably in St Louis, Pittsburgh and
Cincinnati have been steadily falling
for several weeks and many Sep
tember dates are to be advanced, thus
bringing doubleheaders. The mag
mates in the old league do not intend
losing a single red cent, most of them
losing money, anyway, on the entire
awe're going thro6gh with our
original schedule" explains Clark
Grifhth. 1--WE settled that at the
Cleveland meeting, all three contend
ers to stand or fall on what they can
do in the remaining time"
johnson n %DeteckntIf."
Ban johnson has turned "deteeka-
tif," il what we read be true. He is
said to be ION the trail of the re-
porter who put on the wires tie
statemIer.t alleged to have been sign
ed by Comiskey, Griffith and Frazee."
That statement declared that John
sons rule or ruin policy was ended
and that the ma gnates meant to run
their own affairs
Il should be a comparatively SIM
ple thing for "Deteckatif' Johnson 10
md the wicked reporter who did that
thing. The story came out of CleVe-
land last week, Saturday night. and
appeared in newspapers all over the
country.
Following that statement credited
10 Comiskey, Griffith and Frazee. tales
from Chicago said that Clark Griffith
was being doomed to succeed johnson
at the head Of affairs in the Ameri-
can League.
Griffith supIkes Yarn.
Clark Griffith was the first to spike
the rumor connecting him with the
Il. 10
out strongly in favor OF Johnson.
Then Comiskey denied all knowl-
edge of the statement attributed 10
him Griffith and Frazee. Griffith fol- !
lowed suit Now Frazee alone is left |
without contributing his bit to the /
gayety OF nations
And Ban has turned ''deteckatit.' /
He'll get that miscreant yet Ban
doesn't intend being read out OF
baseball" by any dastardly reporter
in Cleveland. drat him.
And, inasmuch as therell be no.
American League baseball next year. |
the fans roll over and yawn. That's
how important II looks 10 them.
Was Against PIayerH-
Clark Griffith won out at Cleve- |
land because he was able TO show his
brother magnates that Secretary |
Bakers official ruling was against
baseball players. not baseball itself"
"when We started for Cleveland, !
Comiskey and l." says the Old Fox |
~Commy was all fed up on what Ban |
johnson had. already said. Indeed, |
Bans incorrect conclusion had just |
about killed the Western end of the |
league. II was only when we got to- |
gether at Cleveland that 1 was able
70 explain my view. quoting Secretary |
Baker step by step.
~As the National Leaguers had al
ready made their decision to play un-
til September /. there wasn't much |
else for the American Leaguers TO do. /
Had we voted TO quit on August 20. no |
National League club would have |
been available FOR a worlds series.
Had To Fay Salaries.
Il pointed out 10 the club owners
that they had 70 pay their players