The Washington times., 1922-12-03

1lrst In peace ana last In the
American League but ten years
has seen . change in that. Our
average for the period has been
better than most Of tho other
cities but I will never be sat.
isfied until we have copped a
world series.
But next to a championship
ball club, my interest . is in get.
ting the Army-Navy football
game here. for the sake Of the
city. As we can sell only one
third Of the seats. it viii just
about pay us for the interest
on the 100000 investment nee.
essary for building the additional
stands. but stand ready to
take tho chance IL they will
have the game played here"
Whether Griffith can get the
service gridiron classic will prob.
ably not be settled for q num-
ber Of weeks. West Point and
Annapolis have been playing
the game not being played south
game not being played south OF
If Philadelphia, the Army pre-
ferring it in New York each fall.
There are, however, strong
factions in both the War and
Navy Departments which insist
that the Army-Navy game is a
national event, and should be
played in the National Capital.
A week ago the largest contin.
gent that ever left Washington
to go to an outside event trav.
eled to Philadelphia to see the
contest, and then hurried back
that night. 1t Is not only a
sporting event. but it attracts the
best Of resident. diplomatic md
official Washington. and those
who have studied the question
closest can see no reason why
it should not be q fixture here
annually.
WORKS FOR PLAN.
The great drawback in the
past has been lack Of facilities,
but with Griffith ready, willing
and anxious, the last substantial
objection seems to have been re-
moved. He will spend the rest
Of his time from now to the
beginning Of the baseball season
trying to convince the powers
hat be Of the feasibility of his
plan.
As a matter Of fact, bringing
the football affair here would
not be such a financial boost
as would at first appear. for two
thirds Of the tickets are distrib-
uted free to the officers in the
service end the outlay would be
SO great that most Of this would
be accounted for by expenses.
But Clark Griffith insists it would
be a big thing for Washington
and he wants 1t here for the
sake of the city.
Time was when a man profess
sionally interested in baseball was
in town only during the playing
season and at once returned TO
his homo to receive bids to be
elsewhere the next campaign.
But Griffith Is here to stay, and
he perhaps shows more interest
In Washington affairs than the
president of any other club In
he country shows in those Of
his baseball home.
Griffith is Of decidedly the
better element In baseball. His
education in the schoolhouse at
stringtown, Mo-, was modest and
most limited, but he has never
overlooked an opportunity to bet
ter himself, reading much and
associating with the better class
OF citizens. His favorite reading
IL history. and he was the un.
conscious principal in an Incl
dent while the Nationals were
training at Charlottesville several
years ago, that did not add to
his popularity with at least one
newspaperman.
WHAT GRIFF WANTED.
Shortly after arriving Griffith
was not able to obtain . certain
paper and he asked the scribe
to wire the home office and be
sure to have It mailed every day.
This was done, and then the
papers representative prepared
a snappy statement praisins the
sporting and general baseball
news Of the sheet and took II to
Griffith to sign. Griff looked at
Il in amusement. and then blurted
out, Man. I don't read your
paper for sporting news. I'm
interested In the historical serial