New-York tribune., 1918-01-18

value of such a battery as Alexand.,
and Killifer," said Pat. "Yet I tbinl
the critics are yelling wolf too Som
in reference to US. Any pitcher vbo
can win thirty games is valuahl.
asset. No one will attempt to dom,
the fact.
"Still, Alexander was not our pitch
ing staff by a long way He will sti,
be of assistance to US IN KNOCKING
down rival clubs that We must hvb.
for the pennant. and / do think he "a,
be better spared now than year aco
tor the club of 1913 is geing to b.
much stronger in other Departments
than was that of 1917.
"Cy Williams is type of nlav.,
who, IN my opinion, will rise to su-
preme heights in congenial surround
Ings. He is fleet of foot and a dan
gerous hitter. He should be particu-
lariy advantageously placed with
club such as mine, which for years
mas run strongly to right-handed stick
ers. He is bound to see plenty Of
right-handed pitching, and he is one
left-handed hitter who murders this
Good Reports From Coast
II hear the very best reports Of IN.
two outfielders from the Coast~F';.z
gerald and Meusel. The repor, ths.
fitZ mad been drafted is untrue. He
was rejected by the army doctors II
these lads are half as good as report
ed the outfield may be greatly i'm.
proved, even after sparing George
Whltted for inficld duty. if it develons
ms presence would bolster the inner
llne. Nh,tted is one of the very best
and at the same time most vcrsa.;]o
players OF the game"
BOTH Moran and Baker denied tho
conference had anything to do wi.S
the trade that sent Alexander and XII
!lfer to the Cubs in exchange for
Prendergast Dilhocfer and Z bundle Of
cash. A''''' VI
THAT deal rests with fate" said Mr.
Baker, as Pat nodded assent. "It was
s'raight business proposition with
oehnlte understanding. We agreed that
n case Alexander were drafted bv the
government any time previous to thirty
Gays before the opening of the cham
plonshlp season Approximately Marrh
l6l the deal would not 60.
stories have been circulated tha.
PRESIDENT Weeghman Of the Cubs ha,
attempted to call the deal off in face
OF the tact that Alexander is liable to
De called among the first Of his dis
tr'cf. these stories are untrue. Tho
Ohlcago and Philadelphia clubs had a
perfect understanding on the point.
alexander Will become the bona fdc
property OF the Cubs if he is not called
or does not enter the military or naval
n =
days before April Is, which has been
selected as the opening data of N.
major league schedules this ve,rr
Moran admitted That he had several
trades in view that would be submitted
20 rival clubs at the proper moment
presumably during the schedule meet
ing IN this city next month. His most
serious problem is the pitching staff.
now that RlXey is in the army. Eppa
Jeptha was Pats main southpaw de-
penoence. Moran has his lines out for
several youngsters who showed we'll in
the sticks last season. He has hopes
Oh landing veteran southraw, too.
10 Train at st. Petersburg
The Phillies will train at st. Peters
ouig' a. again this year. No definite
time has been set for the assombI,
ne training trip will in all probability
De shorter than usual, as the weather
IN Southern Florida is hot. The time
O. gong and the length Of the stay
may be Influenced by the training pIans
Of the Washington Club of the Amer
lcan League.
Clark Griffith, of the Senators. ap-
pears undecided between Atlanta. Ga,
ana Tampa, Fla, as a base of spring
operations. The Quaker City people
arc are tryln2 to persuade him to go to
iampa. That would guarantee n mum.
per Oh exhibition games at the Florida
resorts as Well as an opportunity for
d pIohtaple Joint tour northward. II
", W ashlngton goes to Tampa, Moran will
,lAe4y go INTO training at st. Peters
burg about March 1s. Otherwise the
start viii be delayed a week.
Moran IS Of the opinion that the
many trades effected in the National
League this winter have tended toward
better balance of a field that was
topheavy in 1917.
a runaway race next season, as ap-
peared certain at the close of the last
campaign, would have been more dam
aging to National League patronage
IMAM reVerses IN arms. The Giants will
nave to fight hard for their honors,
especially If Alexander is available 10
the Cubs. Chicago, Boston and Brook
lyn have all strengthened. Philadel-
rhla, Cincinnati and St. Louis may be
counted upon to fight quite as stub
Dornly as last year" said Moran.
Though Business Manager Walter
Hapgood of the Braves did not tarry
on his trip north after arranging the
Jolnt tour OF the Yankees ard his club,
Chairman John B. Foster and John A
Heydler. of the war tax committee, held
an informal meeting yesterday after
noon at National League headquarters
William Shettsline, business manager
OF the Phillies, sat in in an advisory
capacity. The committee will be pre-
pared to talk intelligently when it goes
to Washington next Monday. Ban
johnson is going to the capital city 20
represent the American. League. Au-
gust Hermann will represent the
minor circuits. The joint schedule
committee of the two major will meet
IN Washington on Tuesday.
Secretary John B. Foster of the
Giants fell down on his assignment yes
terday. He failed to announce the re.
turn of signed contract. He delivered
a sacrifice, however, in a letter from
Pitcher Causey, the Waco lad farmed
out to Rochester last season, accepting
contract terms.
Boxer, Now an Aviator
MONTREAL. Jan. 17.-Franke Flem.
ing, atherwelght boxing champion oi
1,o. ID rf.-sr