The New York herald., 1922-03-02
Chill Texas NOrther Prevents
Training Start-Only Five
AbsenteeS.
BY DANIEL.


Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex. Mar. 1.-Flam-
bouyant cardinals and detected katydids
doomed earuffs to-day land chirped
hoarsely on cotton. enoased palm
trees in the Patio of the Menger Hotel
begin training this morning for the de-
fense OF the National League pennant
engaged in sharp competition for fav-
ored positions around the steam radia-
tors. Under leaden skies marrow
piercing Texas norther. lone rival of
an Adriatic bora, screeched defiance to
the ball players and forced John Nc
Graw to limit the days training to the
well patronized dining room.
Somebody called IL the Funny South.
This morning the weather man reported
a temperature of 23 degrees, while for
the third day this city of sunshine that
used to be, shivered and hoped. Texas
weather boosters, first cousins, of their
California comperes laid aside their
harps. folded their tents and offered
nary a prediction. But they do not say
the blast will wear itself out by to-mor-
row and that the Giants will be able
to get down to the business for which
they are assembled.
A count OF noses this evening re-
vealed the fact that there were only five
absentees. a record for the first day in
camp. The missing are George Kelly,
Phil Douglas, Fred Toney, Earl Smith
and Claude Jonnard. The last two
named are expected by tomorrow, but
Kelly, Douglas and Toney very likely
will not report until the end of the week.
Illness Leaves Kelly Weak.
Bill Cunningham saw Kelly in San
Francisco just before he left and
brought the news that the big first
baseman after losing his mother and
seeing his father take to bed came down
with a severe attack of influenza which
came dangerously near the pneumonia
stage. Kelly has lost eleven pounds and
feels very weak indeed. says Cunning
ham, so McGraw is going to let George
report at his own sweet WILL
AS for Douglas, he Is apparently the
only real holdout on the club. Tony is
reported to be iii up in Nashville. His
wife has not answered inquiries wired
by Jim Tierney
Dave Bancroft. Irish Meusel Johnny
Rawlings. Frank Snyder, and Jesse
Barnes all declared to-day that they
were not holdouts. They did say that
they were anxious to have a word with
McGraw before putting their signatures
to the contracts. McGraw seemed In
no hurry to enter into conference with
any of the players and stated that he
preferred to wait until the chill was out
OF the air and all the hands were in
a more cheerful frame OF mind.
The leader OF the Giants, however,
did discuss the situation quite frankly.
particularly in so far as Douglas was
concerned.
IT cannot see how any man on our
club could be holdout. We have
treated everybody more than fairly in
the new contracts. and do not believe
that anybody with the exception OF
Douglas, really presents a grievance"
said McGraw. mo man who has re-
ported will remain unsigned for long
and as for those who refuse TO report.
that's their own affair. / am going TO
do no worrying.
UItimatum for Douglas
II refuse particularly to worry about
Douglas" he continued. I'VE have Of
fered him a contract calling for Just the
salary he got in 1921. This contract
however. has several stipulatons which
call for Douglass delivering pitching
of which he Is capable IL he behaves.
II he refuses to accept the stipulatlons
and does not intend to stick to the
straight and narrow path ! do not want
him under any circumstances. not even
IL he would pitch for nothing
"If I thought that J would have to
put UP with tho worries had over
Douglas 'aat season | would not take
him back. I am through with that sort
Of thing He got out OF condition early
In, ND he
to get into shape 10 pitch ball game
Then he went out OF condition again.
and this time he took three weeks TO
come around. He pitched fine ball In
tho last series with Pittsburgh. but he
fell or again. That won't 60 any more.
\ want promises that viii be kept. ana