Evening star., 1918-01-16
CUBS FLAG HOPES
GET SEVERE JOLT
Pitcher Alexander, Bought
From PhiIIies, Placed in
Class | of Army Draft.
By DENMAN THOMPSON.

By DENMAN THOMPSON.
Charley weeghman's ambitious plans
to obtain a pennant for the Chicago
Nationals by the lavish expenditure OF
the cash placed at his disposal by
Messrs. Armour and Wrigley have been
severely frostbitten. Grover Cleveland
Alexander, the leading pitcher of the
National League. who, with Catcher
William Killefer, was purchased from
the Phillies for sum variously esti-
mated at from $4,000 to $4,000. has
been placed in class 1. division A. of
the selective draft. and will not play
ball this year, according to word from
st. Paul, Neb., Alexander's homo, where
he registered.
Weeghman yesterday was unoficially
advised of the action taken in regard to
Alexander, and Immediately telegraphed
to the pitcher for confirmation of tho
report, which was Forthcoming without
delay. Alexander previously had In
formed Weeghman he expected to be
placed in class Of the draft. as his
aged mother is dependent upon him.
Il will ask no exemption" Alexander
said. I'm ready to go. am no slack
er. I don't know what they will do
about transferring me from Philadel-
phia to Chicago. That's up to the base
ball people.
One OF the conditions OF the purchase
of Alexander was that il either he or
Kfllefer was drafted at any time prior
to thirty days before the opening of
the 1918 season the transaction for the
player taken into the military service
would be cancelled. Alec has not been
drafted yet, and 1t is not known Just
when he win be. as the date for sum
moning the next quota of 100000 for
the new National ARMY has not been
definitely set. 1t is understood, how
ever. that the call will be issued about
February Is. Even If it is delayed
couple Of weeks. until n March s IL. !: the ,s
the pitcher passes the admission tests.
as the season will not open until six
weeks after that date.
However. If Alexander for some
the transfer Of cash for him will not
be affected. although his subsequent
summoning to the colors would deprive
the Cubs OF his services. AS the situa-
tion Is now the Phillies stand q chance
to gain financially, but the Cubs pros
poets Of getting anything out of the
deal rest on the slim chance that Alec
will fail to measure up to the physical
standard demanded by Uncle Sam.
The abolishment of race tracks in
Maryland is provided for in bills IN
troduced in both houses Of the legfs-
lature at Annapolis last night They
are identical with the bills introduced
defeated arter hard fight. Public
hearings on the measure are to be held
within u few weeks. and 1t is expect
ed that in the meantime the inter
ests for and against racing will dis
play great activity.
Reports emanating from New York
today to the effect that Connie Mack
will manage the Boston Red Sox next
season should not be taken too seri-
ously, in view of Macks statement
at the time he completed his house,
cleaning by sending Stuffy McInnis to
the Hub. Mack at the time admitted
1t looked as If he got all the worst Of
the Boston deal for MoInniA but asked
how 1t was possible to get full value
as Stuffy.
I'm in base ball in PhiladelpMa to
stay" Mack said. 'Philadelphia may
not be satisfied with me, but I'm satis-
fed with It. It's about a draw between
myself and the fans here,and I'm ready
to begin all over again. It's up to me
to make Philadelphia like my club, and
think I'll win out in the end.
Mclnnis wanted to play in Boston.
and in view of the fact that couldn't
ability, I let him go to Boston. The
Mclnnfs deal. also the sale OF Jack
Barry, were different from other trans
actions because took these players
into consideration. I have sent eight
players to Boston, but my favortte club
in the American League is the Ath-
lettcH The war has forced mo to aban-
don my plan Of rebuilding with young
mon. Just now I am concentrating on
the 1918 season. Old men as well as
youngsters will be seen on my 1918
team"
Promoter Wellmans offer of $4,000
purse to Willard for a bout between
the heavyweight champion and Fred
Fulton. to be hold July at Carson City
or Reno, New, has caused Willard to
reiterate that he win promote his next
championship match all by himself
without any assistance from any out
side source.
I'm not going to lot any of the
Forty Thieves get anything out Of my
next fight" tho champion declares It'll
stage 1t myself. and tho public will get
a better run for ite money than 1t would
II a professional promoter handled 1t.
II have two or three propositions
under consideration and expect to make
decision within a few days Fred Full
ton will be my opponent, unless Miske
or Moran licks him In that case I will
pick the one Of that pair who makes
the best showing"
STENGET. NONE TOO PLEASED