The Washington herald., 1922-04-13
HARDING SEES NATIONALS WIN
OPENER, 6-5, With 24,679 FANS

Continued from Page One.
as President Harding and his party
arrived. Those in the vicinity of
the party doffed their hats and ap-
plauded. Seldom has the President
ever faced such an army of pho
tOgraphers as he did yesterday. No
lees than forty were lined up as
he entered his box. while others
perched at vantage points on near
by boxes
Distinguished Group in Box.
In the Presidential box was
seated a distinguished group. The
President. Mrs. Harding. and Sec
retary of state Charles F.. Hughes
were in the first row. Behind them
were Secretary of War John W.
Weeks and Chairman of the Ship
ping Board A. d. Lasker. together
with Director of the Budget Charles
&c. Dawes and Mrs. Dawes: George
w. Hibbard. of New York. and
George r. Christian. secretary to
the President. In the back row
were Mrs. Clark Griffith, wife OF
the Washington ball club presi-
dent: Mr.. and Mrs. Bobby Burks.
and their children.
When the President seated him
self in his box three figures well
known to baseball fans-President
Clark Grifith. Ban b. Johnson,
American League head, and the ir-
repressible Babe" Ruth walked
over and shook hands with him.
The President had another visitor
before game time. This was Wal
ter johnson. jr, son of the Ma
tional's star pitcher. The youngster
scrambled up into the Presidents
lap as though the pair were life
long friends.
"Finc Boy" Says President.
This is mighty fine boy you
have here" the President told the
lads father when the mighty
Walter himself had been sum-
moned from the Nationals dugout.
AS the hands of the clock out in
right field drew near $3.50. Manager
Clyde Milan handed President
Harding the ball with which the
Executive was to start the game.
Milan then ran out TO join his
teammates. who were lined. up in
front of the Presidential box to-
gether with their rivals, the Yam
KEGS. The President rose and with
a big league wind-up pitched the
ball into the waiting hands OF
Pitcher George Mogridge.
roar went up from the stands
as this annual ceremony was COM
pleted Amidst it sounded the
play ball" of Umpire Owen. The
game was on.
From that time on. all eyes were
on the field. Even the President
and his distinguished party were
temporarily forgotten.
Real baseball fanaticism was
witnessed before the thrilling game
was over. Babe" Ruth, seated
behind the Yankee dugout.' to-
gather with Ban johnson and Col
T. L. Huston. owner of the Yanks
jumped up time and again to yell
announcement to his teammates.
Pencils were busy in the Presi-
dents box. Both the President and
Secretary of State Hughes kept
score cards. as did George Chris
tian, the Presidents secretary.
There was a scramble for the Pres
ident's card after the game. 1t
finally fell into the hands of Q
newspaper man.
Same "Old Fox.
Those seated near Clark Griffith
saw the same "Old Fox of othe. /.
years. When the Yankees were
hammering the slants of pitcher
Mogridge with q ferocfty that
threatened to give them the game,
there was no anxiety on Griffith's
face. nor was there any visible
elation when the tide turned IN
favor of his own men.
There was a bit of world series
atmosphere around the park yes
terday. 1t showed itself In. TIE
lfne-up at the ticket windows early
in the morning. and in the crowds
seated in the outfield. For one Of
the few times in the history of the
local park, spectators completely
encircled the playing field.
Those, who arrived at the park
two or three hours ahead of game
time werR far froxu horad Il; .