The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-17
Frazee Fires Some Hot
Shot at Ban Johnson
President of Boston Americans Ridicules Charges of
League Head-Says He Is Willing to Sell, but Only
at His Own Terms-Home Syndicate in Field.

Harry Frazee. president Of the Boston
club Of the American League on his re-
turn here from Chicago yesterday
made sharp reply to Ban John
son, president of the league, who
last Saturday was quoted as intimatins
mat IL Frazee did not sell his franchise
before the opening Of the 1919 season Il
would be taken over by the league on
the ground that France permitted open
gambling in the Boston park.
Il am one OF the eight men who en-
ploy johnson, and this statement by an
employee would be absolutely ridiculous
were II not for the harm that johnson
does to the league and TO baseball" said
rrazee. johnson gave out this state
ment after he thought I had left Chi
cago. While l was there he was tame
enough
During the American League meeting
Comiskey and told johnson some sharp
truths. but he never attempted to come
back. He answered such questions as
We put TO him, but other than that he
had nothing to say. we especially were
anxious to catch him on several items
that formerly appeared on the financial
report, but even these had been changed"
May Sell to Huh Men.
Frazee admitted there was a POSI-
bdlity OF his selling his club to a syndi-
cate Of Boston men, headed by former
Gov David Walsh of Massachusetts,, but
said that he did not think they would
meet his price IL will sell anything l
own at a certain price," said Frazee.
The price that have placed OH the
Red Sox Is Tar more than would pay
for the property. asked the Boston
tN0N 70 En-
600 last Thursday at 8 o'clock. and I
would give them a month to pay me the
rest They did not come across.
As TO that so-called Cleveland offer,
It was with moving picture money.
johnson was on the wrong track from
the start because he did not know how
much OF the Red Sox stock owned. He
had an idea that had only a minority
interest. whereas have IS per cent. He
went to zee my partner in Chicago
Sport Hermann. who has only Is per
cent Of the stock Johnson asked Herr
mann whether I would sell. and the lat
ter answered. II F'razee gets his price.
Hermann then named the same terms
! made to the Boston people, and when
Johnson heard them he nearly gwooned. 4"
Traces statement was as follows:
Asks for Explanation.
I'm reading the New York and Bos-
ton papers to-day, which contain Mr..
JohnSon's uncalled for renewal OF
hostihties. to say that am sur
priSed is putting II very mildly, and I
am wiring Mr.. Johnson accordingly to-
night. 1t has seemed TO me to be a war
OF determination on the part OF Mr..
Johnson. and has been ever since I
bought the Boston American League
Club. The statements which Mr. John
son has made, that he would drive me
out Of baseball, are too ridiculous TO dig
nifty with An answer
AT the request of Mr.. johnson,
through an associate OF mine in Chicago,
as to whether I would consider selling
the Boston Red Sox ! advised him that
he could buy same at a stipulated price,
which incidentally has been offered me
by another syndicate from Boston; but
had the courtesy 10 give to any pur-
chaser which Mr.. Johnson might have
the first opportunity.
80 far as being forced to sell the
Boston club, this also is too absurd to
deny.
If Mr.. Johnson Is quoted correctly, by
quoting section OF the constitution Of
the American League in reference to
gambling in American League ball parks
he has placed himself in a very laugh
able position, as he has allowed the con-
Eitution OF the American League 70 10
absolutely disregarded and torn TO pieces
by the Cleveland baseball club in It's re-