The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-03
GRIFFITH AROUSES
COL. HUSTON'S IRE
Frazee Joins in Attack on the
Defender Of Ban John
sons Actions,
ny FREDERICK G. LIEB.

Clark Giiffith, manager and part
owner of the Washington Americans.
| has reused the ire of the revolutionists
of the American League. Harry Frazee.
/ pr esident of the Red Sox, and Lieut.
Col. t. L. Huston, half owner of the
Yankees Yesterday trained their guns
on the "Old Fox"
Griffith recently broke into print with
statement defending Ban Johnson and
declaring the request OF the board OF
directors Of the American League for an
accounting Of the league funds was an
| insult to Johnson
Frazee rebuked Grifnth for repudi-
ating an interview given out by Com
iskey. Frazee and Griffith in Cleveland
! in August, 1918. in which Griffith Joined
with the others in strongly criticizing
johnson. Frazee speaks of an un-
authorized loan of s30.ae0 made by
Johnson inn behalf OF the American
! LEAGUE to the Washington club, and in
| timated that that Is why~Grifiith now Is
| q Johnson booster.
| Huston confined his attack on Griffith
| fer permitting Lavan to force his trans
fer to the St Louis Nationals last spring,
move not huch different from the
/ transfer of Mays to Boston to New York.
Frazee's statement follows:
| Defence No Surprise.
I
ii am not surprised at Clarke Crit
filth supporting Ban johnson In his I'M
| warranted and unusual action In the
| Mays case because / have had some pre-
vious experience with Mr.. Griffith
| where Mr.. Johnson WIS concerned. Since
| he has seen fit to enter the controversy
in this way will relate some facts:
rAfter the American League owners
had decided at meeting in Cleveland
| in August. 1918. to close the American
League season on September M. John
son gave out an interview in the Cleve-
land papers which he intended as a re-
buke to our action in not unfolding him.
In this he said he would not be held re-
| sponsible for the club owners action in
going contrary to what he considered
the orders of the War Department. After
reading the statement in the press II
WIS decided by Mr.. Comisky. Mr.. Crit
fifth and myself that I should give a
statement to the press which we Ind dis
cussed.
'T issued the statement to the Associ-
ated Press in the presence of Mr.. Griffith
and FIVE reputable newspaper men. in
reference to Mr.. johnson which Mr.
Griffith supported When asked by the
newspaper nien present whether these
were his views as well as mine, he re-
piled, Yes, and II you want to. as far az
am concerned, you can make II as
strong as you like-that fellow Is GER
! tainly through. Later Griffith denied
having had any connection with tbs
statement and would not stand sponsor
for same in any way.
Washington Got Big Loan.
"In the 1918 winter meeting of the
American League held in Chicago. Mr.
Minor and Mr.. Griffith of the Washing
ton club. appeared before the meeting
and requested loan OF $4,000 from thu
I league. They explained that there wer'
, several matters to be cleaned up in thu
bank, some pressing notes to be taker
up, SC. Theleague agreed to loan then
this money for the purpose stated, Ii
view of the hard times, provided tn
Washington board of directors and al
officials would individually indorse thu
note.
This Endorsement was never made
but In spite Of that fact Ban johnson
wrote them out the check for $40, 900
Lataer ! understand, he renewed Il
without any authority. Immediately, oil
within an hour or 80, after Mr.. Grit
fifth received this $4,000 he made ar
!, announcement that the Washington elut
had purchased players Layan and Shot
ten for SIS. 900. such information being
printed in the daily papers Naturally
he said nothing at that time about hav
ing borrowed sSo,0oo for pressing need
of the clubr
Now as to Mr.. Grihith's idea Of dis
} cipline," added Col. Huston. AT thu
beginning OF the 1919 season Player
Lapan reported to the Washington club
and declared that he would not plal
baseball at all II he could not play In st
Louis where he had some sort OF med
lea lpractice. He positively refused Il
continue to play with Washington.
"Did Griffith discipline him? He die
not. He communicated wit hcluh owners
all over the league requesting that the,
waive claim to Lavan so that he coulC
place his elsewhere. Through feelInl
of good fellowship and desiring to hell
Griffith out of his dilemma the various
/ clubs waived claim and Griffith sold tn,
0 player to the st. Louis National Leagu,
Q Club for $4,000.
J "Grihith neither inflicted nor advo
a Gated nor asked for any punishment o
Lavan for his breach OF discipline.
Q very similar case to that OF Mays. More
= over. President Ban Johnson inflicted NJ
0 punishment on Lavan. but. on the othe
0 hand. sanctioned the deal"
9 As to Connie Mack's expressed sup
' poort of Johnson" added Col. Huston
2 "I do not care to add to Mr.. Mack
| manifold troubles with a tailend club