Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-16
SP|LLER PLANNING
TO FIGHT, IN COURT
Atlanta Owner Would Have
Griffith Compelled to
Take Over Club.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

/
ATLANTA. Ga, June 1S.-Plans for
| the institution of suit against Clark
| G. Grif1th, Washington cluh-owner,
next week in the District of Columbia
| either to compel consummation of the
$3.50, 900 deal for the Atlanta ball club
| with r. j. Spiller or for heavy damages,
were being shaped today by Spiller and
his attorney, Leonard Haas, after fail
ure of Grifith or his representatives
to appear for acceptance of the papers
Friday at the stipulated hour of s pm.
Spiller and Haas visited the off1ces
OF Sam Evins of the law firm of Jones,
Evins, Powers 81 Jones, with the docu-
ments ready for signing Evins tele-
| phoned Haas earlier that he had been
! instructed not to receive the papers
and that he would not be at his office.
Or were any of his law partners pres
ent. Griffith. his secretary-treasurer
Edward B. Enyon. jr., and Joe Engel.
his scout, who was to have been made
president Of the Crackers, were all in
Washington.
Spiller and Haas insisted today that
the $4,000 binder, put up by Griffith
Wednesday of last week when the WASH
ington magnate accepted the terms of
Spiller for the transfer of the base ball
| franchise, swimming pool. restaurant
and the concessions as well as the nine
acres of ground on which they stand
belonged to Spiller and that they would
like to see Mr.. Grifith get it back"
Contend Griffith Knew Rules.
Spiller and Haas contend that Grifith
knew before he produced mis- $1,000
were, having his attorney telephone
president John D. Martin of the South
ern Association at Memphis for that
information.
They claim Martin told Grinith and
his attorney that three-fourths vote Of
the league directors was necessary to
elect a director. but that there was
| nothing to prevent Grifhth buying the
stock of the Atlanta Base Ball Co. and
operating it through trustee. such as
Engel wSuld have been. Grifiith agreed
| to the deal after receiving that infor-
| nation. They assert. according to Haas,
! Spiller continues as owner OF the club
and property until the court gives down
a decision. probably some time next
| week
Spiller, Haas and President Martin
practically repeated their earlier state
ments when asked this morning for
their latest views on the situation
Martin added, however, that he was
ready to call special meeting over the
deadlock" but that he had not yet
been requested to do so and could not
act until asked by Spiller or some one
else connected with the league.
Spiller said he did not intend to ask
a meeting of the league for that pur-
pose and would leave the matter en-
tirely up to Griflth.
League Seen Against Deal.
All the league directors, questioned as
to their stand, would not commit them
selves. Tom Watkins, president Of the
Memphis Chicks, who was here Thurs
day and Friday, did not speak favor
ably. however, and 1t was understood
| at least two other owners would at
tempt to block Grifith's man of the
board Of directors.
Grifith declared yesterday that the
Washington ball club, of which he is
president, had ended negotiations with
Spiller for the purchase of the Atlanta
club and considered the deal on
definitely He also denied that he knew
of any Southern Association rule for
bidding the sale of one Of its member
clubs to any other ball club without
sanction by the league directorate at
the time the 5000 binder was posted
with Spiller and his attorney Wednes-
day Of last week