New-York tribune., 1918-02-02
Higgins Hopes His New
Team Will Travel Faster
Than Train Which
Brought Him Here
By Louis Lee Arms

's''S' 0o e"peSteu, tHe lTdlH Wnicn con-
vcyed Mr.. Miller Huggins East was
only eight or nine hours behind its
schedule. Thus, at this early date. il
may readily be seen that some fas.
travelling is to be anticipated on the
part Of the Yankees this season.
The Forty-second Street stage was
set for Mr.. Huggins's managerial ar
rival. Baseball reporters who have
worn their fingers to the very bon.
tossing fuel into the Hot Stove League
were on hand prepared to welcome the
Yankee manager. At length he arrived
and was conducted ceremoniously
through Il s-examination. 1t was
the general opinion as the case reached
its finish that the jury would find
verdict in favor Of the defendant.
The main fact brought out in the case
Of NJ. j. Higgins VS.. the Baseball Re
porters was that the said Mr.. Huggins
is here in New York to manage the
Yankees, that he expects to remain here
In the meantime he will answer all
questions to the best of his no inconsid-
cradle ability.
Casts Mask Aside
Once in the witness chair tho de-
fendant cast aside his mask of in
scrutability and proved that he has fol
since he was first convicted oD the
charge of managing the Yankees.
Had he seen Pratt before the date Of
the memorable trade? He certainly
had. Not only had he seen him but he
had highly esteemed him as a Southern
gentleman Of impeccable character
He remembered we'll that the said Pratt
had been instrumental in busting UP
several ball games on him. In spite Of
that fact, he had done it fairly and in
manner we'll within the law.
The defendant of the charge of man
aging the Yankees CURED one leg over
the other and indicated by his exprcs-
sion and words that he considered one
ball player who could really play bal.
Immensely superior to as many as five
ternoons at the park.
At one stage during the examination
the defendant smiled. easily conveying
the impression that he wasn't exactly
displeased with himself over the fac.
that he had nabbed Pratt
"Of course" he said. fcking the
ashes of Romeo and Juliet out of the
Forty second Street window, pratt
may hit only 200, in which event nv
trade would be largely in the nature or
a bust. On the other hand, il he wal
iops the old sphaghetti for an averayc
Of .275 he Will be doing all that ask
OF him. consider him my kind of 4
ball player"
Wrist Strong as Ever
One of the assistant prosecuting a.
torneys objected Justify 30 the te.ti-
nony that had been adduced, unless
the defendant supplemented his re-
marks with the assurance that Prs1ts
wrist, which vas broken in April, 19l-,
was strong as ever.
II have every confidence that it is"
responded the defendant. with dignity.
BY the complacent smile with which
the defendants counsel faced the jury
1t was evident that he believed this
point was highly material, essential and
relevant. it was regarded in the nat
ure of coup d'ctat, or cup of tea,
as they say up at Doyles.
The defendant readily admitted that
hc had seen but few Of the Yankees
in action. But he declared he fortu.
rately was possessed of strong ewes
that he believed capable Of any strail.
whatsoever.
Further than that, the defendant
spoke generally upon the great crime
OF baseball, but beyond admitting that
ne was interested in outiieldors there
vas little deposcd that will influence
INC cases on the present court calendar
lie called attention 30 the fact tha,
while 1t w2s true tho Yankees were per
mltfed by a judicial mandate 10 op-
crate IN New York for six months OF
the year, he would not try 70 lengthon
that concession, but would, in fact. take
every one of them out of town during
the first part of March
Battery Men First
nc catchcrs and pitchers, who in the
past nave been found TO be the ,nost
'nveterate offenders, will be sent away
i'fst ., and nterned IN Macon. Ga, during
the first week Of March. About March
10 every one of the Yankees, whether
on parole or not, the defendant said,
would be sent to Macon for an indc-
terminate sentence. The baiifY was
forced t" restrain the incipient cheers
that were raised upon this announce
nent, and the court threatened to
clecl all spectators if .hc domonstra-
ton was repeated. The trial wa re-
sumed upon the restoration Of order
nc defendant said that i was his
opinion there WAS little difference be
tween the motif Of American and Ma
fional League style Of baseball, excep,
mat the American League ball players
seemed 10 hit the ball more quickly.
ms was taken as conclusive proof tha.
INC defendant has in the past seen
httle OF the Yankees. It was almos,
necessary for the bailif again 10 bring
the courtroom 20 order
AS the opposing counsel aroso IN on
yer an objection, ono of tho jurors de-
rclopcd compound fracture OF the
tunny bone by looking at the Yanks
~ club batting average, and the court
ordered recess.
John Buckingham Foster received a
letter from John McGraw yesterday
he Little Napoleon is enjoying his
rest III Cuba. and says that between
Goif and swimming he is losing weight
John Heydler. National League secrc-
t.ary, said yesterday that the short
jumps, rather than the long ones
would bother the league clubs next
season II the present conditions Of
Taiiway traffic obtained s. Louis to
Pittsburgh and St. Louis 70 Cleveland
WIN no days rest in between, have
l"ng been considered the meanesT
,,h'fts with which the schedule makers
nave TO contend.
.,,a IN me matter Of long jumps, day IS
allowed, and many clubs have taken
advantage !; of ii by scheduling an ex-
'"p'"on game along the way.