New-York tribune., 1918-12-17

.so,e-ty. but emphatically denied that
a..ted with Johnson's feelings on tn
A;rectly and pointedly on many matte
A;rted at vaguely in the meeting of tt
yobnson to have his clients buy the Re
put the blast is best told in Frazee's
ovn words as contained in statement
hv the Boston owner, which reads as
follows verbatim:
aWeN, gentlemen, in reading the
New York and Boston papers to-day,
mbch contain Mr.. Johnson's uncalled
ior renewal of hostilities, to say that
am surprised is putting it very
mildly. and am wiring Mr.. Johnson
accordingly tonight 1t has seemed
IA me to be war of determination on
the part Of Mr.. Johnson, and has been
ovsr since l bought the Boston Ameri-
can League Club. The statements
rbsrh Mr.. Johnson has made, that he
would drive me out of baseball, are
no ridiculous to dignity with an an
swer.
Not Forced to Sell Red Sox
AT the request of Mr.. Johnson,
through an associate of mine in Chi
selling the Boston Red Sox, ! advised
him that he could buy same at stipu-
lated price. which incidentally has been
offered me by another syndicate from
Boston, but had the courtsey to give
to any purchaser which Mr.. johnson
might have, the first opportunity.
$50 far as being forced to sell the
Boston club this also is too absurd to
deny.
"lf Mr.. Johnson is quoted correctly,
by quoting q section of the constitu-
ton of the American League in refer
ence to gambling in American League
ball parks, he has placed himself in q
very laughable position, as he has al
lowed the constitution Of the American
League to be absolutely disregarded
and torn to pieces by the Cleveland
baseball club in its refusal to play two
scheduled games at ST. Louis Labor
Day last year, September 2, and the
excuse offered in defence. of same was
too silly to discuss.
Frazce Says Personal Spite
Il have at all times tried to consider
Mr. Johnsons position, but ! cannot al
low myself to think the man who is
drawing salary to protect the inter
ests of the American League could so
far forget himself as to make this last
statement, which is most injurious to
all concerned in the American League,
to vent his personal spite toward me
simply because | insist on managing
1, 7,
IS invested, without being dictated to
b. Mr. Johnson.
THE Boston public has been very
loyal to me and to the Red Sox, and I
DO not intend to allow the Boston club
to be used as target by Mr.. Johnson
simply because | cannot admit that l
have the same opinion of his wonder
ful abilities that he has.
Il think that Mr. Comiskey and other
owners have the same feeling in the
matter, as to managing their own af-
fairs as | have but Mr.. johnson seems
very content to let them alone and
use me as particular target. If Mr.
Johnson has any desire to go into the
gambling situation in baseball parks
other than my park in Boston, | will
be pleased to go into the matter with
him as fully as he may desire, anc
when | say this, ! am prepared to dc
so.
Johnson Avoided Argument
when l walked into the meeting al
Chicago, | was prepared to answer any
question pertaining to the Boston club
which was brought up, but Mr.. John
son was very careful to avoid any dis
cussion or any argument with me
Whatsoever There is just one way fol
Mr. Johnson to drive me out OF the
American League, and that is to pa!
me my price, and if he is quoted cor
rectly in saying this will happen some
time between now and spring, he Is
again greatly mistaken, as if it doe:
happen, it will have to happen within
the next thirty days, or it won't hap
pen at all.
~ am sick and disgusted with thu
entire affair, to think a man in his po
Sltlon, representing investments of ap
Fortunately ten million dollars, woult
stoop to tactics he has employed il
daelving into my personal business at
lars and discussing them in New York
Chicago and Boston, and has evidentl,
been very much disappointed in not Sc
curing information that would maxi
MIN happy.
Favors One-Man Commission
Il did not refuse to vote, as a per
sonal Endorsement of confidence to MI
Garry Hermann, which | was willing
TO do at the American League meeting
IN Chicago, as have very high regar,
LOT Mr.. Hermann personally; but
cid refuse, as did Mr.. Comiskey, t.
vote to sustain the present form o
National Commission, and Mr.: Comls
key advised me he thought the sam
as did. that it should consist of on
man.
AS to the gambling situation i
boston, and which I regret to say eS
lSts in great many bali parks. l hav
cone zone everything possible to curb it, t
the extent of having several gam
piers arrested and several OF them
nave barred out of Fenway Park er
,lrely and | have also employed Pir
3erton detectives, together with tn
boston police, who gave me every assist
a anee within their power, as did M
Ieiletier. the Boston District Attonre.
70 stamp out this evil, which | cor
Siaer a menace to the great nations
1T is too bad that Mr.. Johnso
Souid not be as militant when l wa
~ - Nhlcago as he seems to be whe
mere are a thousand miles separai
ing us.
Against Gambling Evil
a. have done, and will continue t
oVi oth everything l can, as know ever
V.ner owner in baseball has done, t
stamp out gambling of any sort; br
absolutely will not allow MIR. Johr
son 10 single out the Boston Red So
"S target in this affair.
Cyar Shovy, Do<4xy C.sxo