The Washington times., 1918-12-03

'An authentic news concerning the
Washington club will come from
President Minor or. ir his absence.
from me. Neither he Hor have any
information now T. The effect tEat
the franchise is to be sold. As a mat
Ter of fact, it is not for sale, though
c. rtain New York writer's insist on
selling it whenever they happen to
give it a thought.
THE Washington CLUB is loyal
unit OF the American League. 1t will
be represented at the annual meeting
OF the league. It will cast its vote
only for the good of baseball ami the
American League. u is backing no
campaign of which it has yet learned.
Nor is it lending its name to any
now"
80 Dates From Last Summer.
RECENT stories purporting TO tell
"inside stuff in baseball have Grit
fifth allied with those who would
''drive Ban Johnson from the game"
These stories date from the memo
r4ble meeting in Cleveland last sum-
Iner when Ban Johnson, seeking to
shut the gates of every American
League park. was overruled by his
board OF directors. The season was
continued to Labor Day against the
wish of the league president.
The following day the country was
thrilled by the publication Of a round
robin" which informed a weary world
that "the magnates were through
with Johnson's high-handed methods
in office, and in the future would run
the lea fhRrnga1u This Gfa
ment carried the names of Harry H.
Frazee, of Boston; Clark Griffith, of
Washington, and Charlie Comiskey,
Of Chicago.
FraEee Was Left Alone.
sAs soon as it was called to their
attention, Comiskey and Griffith dis
claimed all authorship with Frazee.
The Boston magnate was apparently
pleased at the attention given the
statement and never denied IL. In
this he soon found himself alone.
As a matter of fact, Frazee, Frif-
nth, and Comiskey voted against
Johnson's plan of suspending opera
lions at once. thus defeating il. In
doing so, they displayed no personal
feeling whatever. Indeed, President
johnson probably knows that They
were considering only their invest
ment In Griffth's case, it might be
added, he had every reason for be-
lieving that the the United States
Government had no intention of put
ting baseball on the shelf.
President johnson later is said TO
have shown some testiness at the at
titude of Griffith, but the season end
ed without any signs of machine
guns on either side. So far as the
writer knows, Griffith has never ex-
pressed himself as an opponent Of
Johnson.
Johnson's Future Status.
Just what will happen at the COM
ing annual meeting OF the American
League is not known 1t may not
become known. at least. in detail,
either. The American League has
meyer adopted the habit OF washing
ftF lines in public. France, owner OF
- worlds champions, nils the news
rapets with statements, but when II
c6fnes to casting ballots at the an
nnel meeting. he is more than likely
tAfnd himself facing seven nagnates
opposing him
The rivalry between the two major
leagues still exists. Neither wishes
70 give way any, Frazee. thus far,
has been seen in the camp OF the Ma
tionaI Leaguers, never in company
with the magnates OF HIS own organi-
zation.
Just what Ban Johnson's future
status IL TO be will not be known for
s6faes time. II Is generally felt by |
close students OF national game that |
be win remain as head of the AmerI- |
can League As 70 whether or not his !