Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-17

tell me you say Baltimore never gives
you a square deal said Dunn. Well,
I'll show you it does. I'll give back that
$4,000 you paid me for a chance to try
Cantrell. You take back the money
and keep the pitcher. If you do, pay
me the $4,000. If you don't, give him
back to me. That's square DEAL
don't you think?" Dunn finished
And that's all there was to It,"
Grifith continued. ut was just Dunn's
way of proving he was as ready to deal
| in a gracious manner with the Wash
ington Club as with any other. There
was no evasion of the MAORI minor
agreement there"
Griffith cannot understand how the
acquisition of Simons from the Birm-
ingham Club. the sale of Partridge and
Glazner to the same organization and
the return of Kloza and Wells to the
Barons could be in violation of the
ma jor minor agreement.
why, Kloza and Wells were given
thorough trials here last Spring and
neither measured up to the major
league standard Nobody wanted Wells
to make good as a pitcher more than
did. but he failed and was glad to
get back the money had paid Birfning-
ham for him when returned him, and
the same was true OF Kloza. Was /
supposed to stand the loss when these
PLAYERS did not measure up to the
standard required when had chance
to get back what had paid on them?
don't believe the maior minor agree
ment could find any 'cover-up' deal In
that.
Denies Covering" Sim0ns.
"Simons bought from Birmingham
H.. 49, T5~n &f aA tA VBn
last Spring for trial. He did not APP
pear to be quite ready and was re-
turned to the Barons. He improved
greatly last season and in the Fall I
paid Birmingham $4,000 for him.
There was no 'cover-up' in the case
I was able to buy him and did so. Why
should the fact that he had had a
trial with Washington last Spring and
been turned back enter into the case
this year? Maybe Judge Lands knows,
but certainly don't.
LAS to Glazner and Partridge. they
were outright sales. GlaZner I bought
last year from Mobile and during the
past Winter I sold him to Birming-
last year from Atlanta for $4,000 and
on January sold him outright to
Birmingham. What's wrong there? |
Again say don't know, but perhaps
Judge Lands may.
Perhaps the fudge became peeved
because did not heed summons to
attend a meeting he called In Chicago
last month. Well, I couldn't because I
was Ill at the time. suffering with
lumbago and unable to travel. wired
the judge" Grif1ith continued, that
was sending the club secretary, Ed
Eynon. to represent me and conduct
the clubs end of the affair. Evidently
that didn't please him, and now 1t seems
me by hurting the Washington ball
club
Griff Shows kilograms.
Grifith produced several kilograms
Take a look at these. They may be
enlightening."
The first, under date of February 23,
came from Chicago, and read:
In matter players Cantrell, Kloza
Wells, Simons. Partridge and Glazner
the commissioner will conduct hearing
at his office In Chicago IL o'clock We'd
nesday morning. February "a. at which
hearing 1t is desirable that you be
present with account books of Wash
ington club and all correspondence and
records relating to these transactions.
II any person or persons other than
yourself had to do with these negotia-
lions or. transactions or any of them on
behalf of Washington please arrange
for his or their presence at time men,
toned. Answer.
(Signed) 'KENESAW M. LANDIS.'
Now that came when I was too Ill
to travel" said Griffith. Il wired
Lands to that effect and notified him
I was sending Secretary Eynon on to
confer with him and also sent full
particulars of the deals mentioned. And
here's the reply to my telegram:
Chicago. February 25.-I have
received your telegram filed Sunday
night In acknowledgment my wire de-
livered to you early Saturday afternoon.
In view of record evidence, your re-
fusal or failure to attend hearing here
Wednesday morning, as requested by
commissioners telegram 23d, can hardly
do otherwise than force an inference
distinctly hostile to legality of transac-
lions under investigation. Of course
YOU understand the status of six ball
players Is involved with incidental OBJ
legation of imposing appropriate penal
ties in event of rules violation.
(Signed) 'KENESAW M. LANDIS.'
"War-and to a Finish"
"Reads as though was convicted
before any hearing was held, doesn't it?
Well that's how it seems to me and
I'm going to fight 1t out with Judge
Lands" averred Griffith. Hes over
stepping the rules In these cases and
think I am entitled to seek justice
wherever I may find it. The war is
on and to finish, too
The telegram informing Griffith that
Simon, Cantrell, GlaZner and Partridge
were made free agents also mentioned
that Ralph Judd was such. Griffith
was sent to Birmingham from the
Washington club three years ago.
When Griffith was informed of the
blow struck his club, the players Simons
and CantreD also received kilograms
from Lands telling them they were
free agents. However. there was pro-
viso In each telegram, Cantrell being
forbidden to contract with the Phila-
delnhia American, Washington and
Baltimore clubs, and Simons with the
Washington and Birmingham clubs.
Why the Philadelphia American club
ban in Cantrells case isn't known here
at present.
Both Simons and Cantrell expect to
remain here and work out with the
Nationals until they make other con-
nections. Observation-Disclosures Fuchs OF
the Braves who played here today IS
negotiating with Simons. but has
reached no agreement with him. Can
trell has no immediate prospect OF get
ting on with new club.
Both of these players had been ex-
pected to be Of much value to the Ma
tionals this year. Simons has beer
fielding brilliantly and batting well in
exhibition engagements and promised to
land berth as utility outfielder. Can
trell has pitched exceptionally well and !
was slated to be retained for relief
toleA