Evening star., 1928-01-26
GRIFFITH HAPPIER
NOW TR|S IS GONE
Release Removes Supposed
Thorn in Side of Club
Last Campaign.

SNclat lhSNatch to The star.
TAMPA. Fla. January c6.-To what
extent. if any. the management of the
Washington ball club was influenced in
Its decision to release Iris Speaker be-
cause of the undercurrent of diSSatiS-
faction among several equally capable
members Of the club caused by the
signing last year of the Gray Eagle at
salary reputed III excess of $50 600
probably Will never be known by fam
dom.
Clark Griffith. president of the club.
is CnQualifiedly silent on this point. He
has not by any construction of his COM
nentS on the matter committed him.
self in the slightest to this theory of
the reason actuating the unconditional
release of the star outf1elder. On the
contrary the Nationals president as
signs as his main reason for his action
his desire to continue the upbuilding
G. his club on Young blood lines.
Iris Speaker and / are the best OF
friends. and l wish him all the good
luck in the world in his efforts 10 estab-
llSh himself with some ball club. either
III managerial, ownership. or player
capacity" said Griffith this morning.
4 have made this statement over and
over again since the season closed 10
Speaker himself and TO the newspapers.
Wanted Iris TO Find Job.
'I have delayed taking formal action
In the matter Of Offering Speaker his
release solely in an endeavor TO give
iris an opportunity to hook up with
some club as its manager. I under
stood he had a couple OF offers which
he was considering. and I waited until
he might have taken some action in
the matter.
1t having become apparent TO ne in
the last few days that Speaker would
not sign with any club as its pilot. /
considered it 10 his best interest to give
him his unconditional release.
There is no reason whv TITS should
not have many more useful years as a
PLAYER. His batting average OF 321 last
year demonstrates that he is far from
through as player. His knowledge OF
the game generally and his wide eX-
perience should make him valuable
managerial timber. ! am sure he will
carry 10 any new post Of duty the sin
cere wishes of every fan of Washing
ton"
Clark Griffith thus disposes for all
time Of the more or less perplexing
question: What are they going TO do
with Speaker" But just what effect
his release will have upon the fortunes
OF the Washington club the coming
srdA- AAlOuSl 4SSS W AilC
just 20 what extent il Influenced the
teams play in the last season are
questions which are still to be settled.
Loss May Help Club.
That there were several members Of
the Washington club who felt last
season that they were being diScrim-
mated against in the way OF salary
through the signing of Speaker was
general gossip around the circuit.
These players. according TO rumors,
felt they were eCxally as capable as
the gray eagle. and nkd demonstrated
their ability TO the extent OF bringing
two pennants and one world cham
pionship TO the Capital
II was natural, according 10 these
Yunors, that the players in question |
should be more or less nettled at the |
signing Of the ex-Indian al his reputed
high salary. and while none would ven- /
ture such a foolhardy statement as TO !
say that there was any deliberate effort |
not TO give Of their very best TO the |
club. il seemed 10 be the opinion that |
the psychological effect OF the acquisi-
tion Of Speaker was adverse to the best
interests Of the Washington club.
This naturally Is all mere supposition,
but with this supposed source of irrita-
tation removed. Washingtons chances
IN the coming season are decidedly
brighter.
President Griffith vent about his
duties at headquarters here after he
had sent his release message to Speaker
IN the manner Of one who had gotten
something rather important OF his
chest His general good nature. re-
fected with other things. in his best
golf score since he struck Florida, would
seem 10 bear out the impression that
ne vas rather pleased with his work