New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-04
Cap" Huston Too Busy
Saying ''Howdy'' to Talk
Much Baseball
BY Charles A. Taylor

Benny Kauf and his whole wardrobe
signed up with the Giants yesterday
afternoon for one year What stipend
Benny is to receive for his services was
not made public, but it is fair to as
sumo that his monthly wage will far
exceed that he obtained from Uncle
Sam during his few months experience
as a soldier boy
1t will be remembered that Benny
was called to Camp Sherman just when
the Chicago Cubs were cutting big
slices off the tremendous lead the
Giants had piled up in the pennant race
of last year. In fact, many of the
cri les and dopesters figured that had
Benny remained with the McGrawmen
the Cubs would never have swung
through to the heights.
But, as fond as Benny was of swing
ing his Old home run bat to the acclaim
Of the baseball populace, he took up
has military job with all seriousness
and left the service as a sergeant. He
was anxious to get overseas, but fate
ordained otherwise, So Benny remained
In camp in his home state until Mr..
Armlstice cut short his military career
Record Well known
AS far as his baseball prowess is
concerned, there is no need to delve
deeply into the records of the diamond
to bring it once again to the surface
Benny has not been away from the bat
bag long enough to require recapitu-
lation of his history and deeds.
1t might be recalled, however, that
Benny had a brief and unsatisfactory
trial with the Yankees back in 1912
But it was with the departed Feds that
he first began to WELD the old war club
with such effect as to attract the espe-
cial attention of fandom. John J. Nc
Graw, manager of the Giants, watched
his career with the insurgents" close
ly and when the "break" came the New
York club put up a large-sized bundle
of cash to land Benjamin.
The Judgment OF McGraw proved cor
rect, for Benny proved mighty help
with his bat and as guardian of centre
field. He bad his slumps and got his
paintings, but one asset Benny always
possessed TO endear MIN to the man
ager and the fan, and that was the
spirit he put in his work. Benny was
doing his darndest all the time, and no
one felt more peevish over his some
what frequent strilsc-outs with three
on than little Benny himself.
New York is nightly tickled to reach
its arms cut wide and far to welcome
Benny's return to the fold.
Lieutenant Colonel Huston, part
owner Of the Yankees, is beginning to
believe that shaking hands if carried
TO excess is a strain comparable with
building railroads and bridges under
shell fire. Yesterday, the second day
of the Gaps" furlough here, was a
repetition of his Thursday experience.
Wherever cap" went about town it
was greeting after greeting
In fact. he has been so busy saying
"howdy' that he has not had chance
to get posted regarding the politics
of baseball. When asked if he favored
q one-maa commission Cap" replied
that it would naturally depend on the
man. He was very much interested
in learning of the offer made to ex-
President Taft by Harry Hampstead,
of the New York National League club,
and Harry Frazee, head of the Boston
American leaguers. Aside from pay
ing tribute to the qualifications of Mr..
Taft for such post, cap" again said
he was not just ready to express any
opinions. so Ban johnson will have to
be patient.
After looking over the theatrical at
fractions. the cap" ordered seats for
"The Girl Behind the Gun" and nobody
was surprised at his selection.
A report comes from Boston that
the Braves have been purchased by
former Mayor Curley and Charles
Daily, the latter banker, for 500, 900,
the new owners securing rs per cent of
the stock Of the club. Along with the
rumor came story that Johnny Evers
would supplant George Stallings as
manager of the team.
Leslie Mann, Cub outfelder, is on
his way from Camp Grant, at Houston,
former manager and now president Of
the Chicago club, regarding the play
er's services this season.
Harry Sparrow, secretary of the
New York Yankees, will start for
Florida within day or so to arrange
for the Southern training trip of the
New York club. jacksonville, Orlando
and Sanford are the places Harry will
visit. with the probability that Jack
sonville, where the Philadelphia Ath-
letics have been training, will be the
place selected.
Bob Shawkey, U. S. u, one of the
pitchers the Yankees are depending
upon this season, called at the club