Evening star., 1925-02-24

Il may return to Florida at the
end of the coming season and settle
down there with my family Johnson
said. There is lot of money to be
made there in real estate, and | am
going to look things over with that
idea in view while we are training g
AT Tampa. ] had high hopes of run
ming d ball club of my own in oak
land, but two different deals for that
franchise fell through, and conditions
surrounding the situation in Vernon,
the only other property in the coast
league that / considered. were un-
favorable, so it looks as if ] won't be
able TO do any business in that direc-
tion. 1t is apparent to me just from
the few years that | have been visit
ing Florida in the Spring that some
splendid opportunities for invest
ments are available there, and if a
man got in with the right people he
ought to make some real profitable
transactions.
Not in His Line.
Il suppose a lot of people will
think l was foolish not to accept
some of the many offers l received to
quit base ball this year, and maybe |
was, because the financial induce
ments certainly were enticing, par
ticularly that one for the stage and
moving picture work, but those
things are just not in my line, that's
all.
Some of the fans may be led to
believe that l used these opportuni-
ties to try and get more money out
of the Washington club, but that is
not true. l have been going along
with Griff for many years now and l
certainly wouldn't start at this late
day to try and hold him up. l. was
pretty busy between hunting and
chasing around in connection with
business matters after he sent me
contract, and, not hearing from me,
with the training season about due.
he sent me a telegram asking what
thought l ought to get. l sent him
a wire in reply, and at his suggestion
/ came on here so as to not lose any
time getting in shape. FL sign when
/ get to Tampa. l don't know yet
whether I'll take a contract for one
or two years, but probably for two
johnson brought his kit of golf
tools along for the avowed purpose
of indulging in the ancient Scottish
pastime and laughed tolerantly when
one Of his mates suggested that
afternoons on the links following
mornings devoted to tramplng
through the woods might be too
strenuous a program.
These hills here are nothing but
mounds alongside the Nevada noun
tains / have been hoofing over, SAID
Barney. "A mild little hike such as
you fellows take is merely warming
up"
Ruef GIad of Change.
Herold Blackstone Ruel, johnson
exclusive receiver since he was oo-
tanned from the Red SoX two years
ago. rather welcomed the change In
training arrangements which brought
him here yesterday instead OF land
ing him at Tampa next week as orig
inaIly planned. Muddy benefited
greatly from the trip abroad last Fan
with the Giants and White Sox and
found that practicing law during the
Winter in St. Louis agreed with him.
He now weighs 155, as against the 130
pounds he scaled when the world
series ended, and figures he has just
enough surplus flesh to work on dur
ing the practice period to be at his
best weight when the campaign gets
under way.
Manager Harris has reached the
conclusion that present plans for his
Hot Springs delegation will initiate
seriously against the effectiveness of
tie Nationals in early interleague
practice games and is seeking to have
the schedule revised. Convinced that