The Washington times., 1935-08-20

41S WILL D04A V4uOO
Clark Griffith knows whether
or not he is going to re-engage
Bucky Harris as manager of the
ball club. He knows better than
anyone else that Bucky Harris
has done everything possible with
this club. Clark Griffith knew in
the early spring before the club
went South what was likely to
develop this season.
What Griffith Said
Just to refresh his memory on
the subject, we will quote from
a speech he made at a breakfast
Of the Early Birds Club held in
the Willard Hotel. Bill Werber,
Griffith, Edward B. Eynon, Bucky
Harris and your agent were the
guests of Harry P. Somerville,
general manager of the Willard
Don't hold anything that
happens against Bucky Harris"
Griffith said at that breakfast.
"He is taking the team that Pm
placing in his hands. will
assume full responsibility for
the team this year."
He made the same statement at
an Optimists Luncheon, the first
honor paid Harris after he was
named president.
Griffith condemns signing man
ayers for another year before the
end of a season. To defend his
policy he hands the general pub
lie a laugh. He points out that
last season, to still the tongues of
Walter Johnsons enemies, PreSi'
dent Alva Bradley signed the
Big Train" for this season, and
Cleveland dropped into third
place.
Was that because Johnson had
been signed tor another year?
Lacked Manpower
Fiddlesticks. This specious bit
of reason may satisfy others but
it won't go over with the readers
of The Times. Pry into the
reasons for Cleveland finishing
third. You will learn that Cleve
land did not match either Detroit
or New York in manpower, anc
lacking manpower, finished third
With glib but fallacious reason
ing Griffith says that when Col
Jacob Rupert signed Joe Nc
Carthy of the Yankees, for two
years, the Yankees fell out of the
| pennant race.
Was that because Mccarthy
was signed?
Applesauce, Mr.. Griffith! It
was because the Yankees coulc
not match the bats of the Tigers
any more than the rest of the
American League could match the
bats of the Yankees in 1925, q
and '28.
If you want to know why De
troit won in '34 and why Detroit
is winning this year, look at the
records. The mere signing OF g
manager in New York had moth
ing to do with the victory.
Now if signing a manager to
contract of more than one year, o.
signing a manager in the middle
of a season, is detrimental to the
best interests of a club, perhaps
Clark Griffith will explain JUS
how it happened that the Yankee!
won three consecutive pennants II
the American League under Mil
Ter Higgins. How did it harper
that Miller Higgins, who coule
have signed contract for life I'm
der Rupert, put on the field
team which experts agree was one
of the greatest of all time?
Mr.. Griffith has a reputation
for smartness and shreWdneSs
He is called the Old Fox, but Mr.
Griffith is trapped this time in 6
box canyon of his own making
He is trying to escape in a smoke
screen with false reasoning.
Evading the Issue?
It is lucky for the Washington
ball club that, if it has nothing
else, it has a levelheaded man
ager who ranks with the best
and a second baseman IN Buddy
Myer whose common sense anc
loyalty to Harris are only Seconc
to his superlative ability on the
field. I have seen teams tori
asunder by situations of this sort
and all Griffith has to do is put
stamped paper before Harris t.
still all gossiping tongues anc
silence all typewriterS.
Mr.. Griffith, are you tacitlJ
supporting the gossip mongers by
evading the issue?
Are you going to sign BuckJ
Harris or aren't you?
Do you honestly think that any
one man could do more with this
club?
Bucky Harris, one of the best
of managers, has been put on the
spot by goSSips.
Are you going to leave him ther'