The Washington times., 1930-03-27
Discipline.
!. BEHIND:
<EElN] !
By BOB THAYER

HOO
By BOB THAYER
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, March
27-It's time someone is breaking
this mysterious silence surround
ing the Goose Goslin-C Clark Grit
filth salary controversy, and-al-
though Grtff does not desire it
bare some personal slants.
Save In statements given out
by himself Griffith has stead
fastly refused to be quoted in
this connection. He does not
seem to think he owes the public
first hand information on one Of
the livest topics of the year. This
written does. So here goeS-let
someone else wait for the quotes.
One of the points Griff has
emphasized, but has kept
under cover SO far, is that
carOusing around played
major part In GOslin'S 1929
slump. .."
He has repeatedly scored Cos
Inns personal habits and has in
tirnated that unless the Salemite
braced up, he would be a bad
influence, on any ball club.
Without quoting Griffith it can
also be said that this belief
largely influenced the drastic
salary cut imposed upon the
Goose. And the bonus PROPOSE
ton outlined was calculated to
make him behave himself.
The fact that this same Goslin
in 1924-1925 played a big part in
landing his clubs pennantS and
until last year had never failed to
bat we'll over 800 apparently had
no bearing in the matter.
According to those who
know, Griffith has always
been Straight-laced in such
matters.
Several Washington club play
ers in the past have been hawk
shaved so closely as to puncture
their morale, while others have
been accused Of things having no
basis. .
It lis stfiS writer's belief that
discipliIie. when needed, should
be enforced on the spot.
Certainly a player who has
delivered cannot suddenly be
called down for traits which have
been his throughout a long and
successful career.
This writer believes he is
closely enough acquainted
with GOslin to say that the
Goose is not nearly SO wild
as is generally thought.
Goslin, while fun-loving and
normal, has his serious moments.
Furthermore he is a good busi-
ness man and probably boasts a
bank account Of respectable pro-
portions.
One angle which Griffith is
overworking in the Goslin case
is that of beating around the
bush.
Newspaper men, because Griff
keeps under cover, are expert
enoing difficulty getting facts.
Yesterday he declared that
Goslin had never been denied a
bonus he earned. When asked If
his slugger was ever offered q
premium he didn't earn, Griff
wasn't sure. At least, not sure
enough to be quoted.
Goslin has been frank
enough in his stand. He has ,
openly voiced dissatisfaction
/ of terms offered him by the
Washington club and has
otherwise made known his
views. ~
BY remaining stubhornly silent
the Old Fox-who doesn't always
act so foxy-is rapidly getting
nowhere. And, of course, Walter
Johnson, baSebsll's favorite son,
will suffer most in the long run.
Usually a club owner-when
his punch is miSsing-immedi-
ately seeks : a substitute. Yet
Griff, whose outfield needed boil
stering badly anyhow, let Harry
Heilmann and Bob Meusel, two
known driving powers, be waived
out of the American League last
winter without so much as a
InurInur.
Despite repeated denials, Grit
fifth would today organize "wel-
come home" party for Goose Cos
lin were he to report here. And
hollow threats cannot convince