The Washington times., 1922-12-03

Frank Farrell, owner Of tho Yam.
KEGS. was ono Of the largest own
ers Of horses in the country. and
Griffith was q regular patron Of
the track. But in a few years
he learned the lesson learned by
SO many before him, and he limit,
ed himself to baseball.
When he took UP his residence
here he was attacked by a most
virulent form of golfitis. Today
he is an inveterate player and
has developed into quite q star.
Every time he can get away
from the park during the sea-
son. or his office during the
winter, he is off for the links.
and there are now few Wash.
ingtonians who average more
rounds a year than the president
Of the ball club.
Most Of his golf is played at
the Columbia Country Club. but
he is a welcome guest on any
Of the courses here and when the
ball players start South Griff;th's s
golfing bag Is one Of the most
important pieces Of baggage in
the car.
During the day, when hs 10
not at Columbia or his office,
he can usually be found at the
Racquet or City Club in a friend.
ly game of cards. He Is a regular
attendant Of the luncheons of tn
Rotary Club and Is an honorar:
member Of the Kiwanis Club.
Griffith is an Elk, and a men
ber Of the Harmony Club. He
shows his interest in civic af-
fairs through being on the rolls
Of the Board Of Trade. He L.
strong for boys and youths. He
Is q director Of the Boys Club
at Trinity Church, and during the
summer time after time he throws
his park open for benefits to the
Boy Scouts and other reputable
organizations for the Americans
Of the future.
One Of the most brilliant chap.
ters in Clark Griffith's career
: was written during the world war.
In 1914 his study Of history
stood him in good stead. and
with the first sweep Of the Ger
man army into Belgium he took
the side Of the allies and talked
war to and over the heads Of
most Of the players he was d.
recting. With him the matter
became an obsession. and he read
every line Of the news. He
saw America gradually drifting
into the conflict. and was pre-
pared long before the actual
declaration Of hostilities. When
the crash came he voted for the
closing Of the baseball season and
offered his services and every.
thing to the War Department.
HELPS WAR VETERANS.
Plans were made for building a
roof over the park and con.
verting 1t into a huge storage
depot, but Griffith could not wait
for a decision in that matter. He
started out to raise q fund to
buy baseball equipment for the
unframed citisenry that was being
herded into camps by the hun.
dreds Of thousands. Great ship
ments Of baseballs, bats and uni
forms were sent to camps here,
and when the rush overseas was
started Griffith's equipments fol.
lowed the colors.
In the meantime hs was chafing
for . chance to 60 to the front.
He was In line for . commission
in the chemical warfare service,
but the War Department decided
that his plan for furnishing base.
ball equipment was helping the
morale Of the troops. % he was
kept At home.
One Of the most prissd sections
Of Griffith's files II the oollec-
tion Of letters Of appreciation and
thanks from the soldiers, but
with the coming Of peace he did
not consider his duty ended. for
ever since he has been IN On.
during friend Of those for whom
the war 10 not yst over.
Never since the war has q
game been played at National
park that groups Of disabled vete.
rams have not, been guests Of
Griffith. and he frequently visits
the hospitals with words Of cheer
for the mon MANNED BY enemy
shrapnel and machine gun ire.
Clark Calvin Griffith could be
rated ~ . ball player. team
manager. club president. snthusi.
astic golfer or war worker. But