Evening star., 1950-04-13


for the sth time Griffith basebals ambassador on this
august occasion.
While they waited studied the photos the wall in
Grf ocedozens of framed pictures showing Presidents
throwing out the first ball. Taft Wilson Harding
Coolidge Hoover Roosevelt. you know" Frick said
these tremendously popular in the Hall of Fame Clark
Wilson and Griff, and 1913
Grif looked sharply Hall of Fame?" he asked.
Remember, borrowed these pictures
few years and had bowup made They're in the Hall
of Fame at Cooperstown."
"Oh that's right" Griffith said ct almost forgot"
brought gold National League pass folder of
elephant hide gift Harry Mines in
that box Gr said pointing large unwrapped box his
desk They examined the contents There gold Ameri
League for the President and fitted alligator handbag
forward this trip White Frick
fessed II don't know there's something about the place
When was newpaperman Ray Capper took me there every
in while"
ct feel the same way" Griffith admitted "and this began
with Wilson year before got Taft throw out
ball in mdseason"
When Truman Was Made an Umpire
They kept watching the desk clock so as to time their de-
parture. still early know, gets of
criticism" said good baseball
Remember during the warp"
Griffith, has personal friendship fellow
sourian in the White House. nodded.
"We had problem during the war;" Frck explained to
third party "We wanted decision preferably green light
from Gen Hershey But couldn't reach him. matter
tried and finally told Truman about our position He
picked UP the telephone called Hersheys office said:
"Ths is Senator Truman. expect the General to call
within 10 minutes
our answer pronto" s@>>.
The clock said 1o:15 Grifs appointment for II
o'clock and they put their coats climbed into the
and during the drive they talked Presidents this
is your 38h trip eh Clarke" asked Wilson great
FAM wasn't he?" a-E
e was" Grif answered even when he sick he used
to out to the park But Trumans been good
know he told he wanted to be ball player back in
Independence My weren't good, he sad so they
made me an umpire. almost got killed."
Next Tuesday, HorY'l Be Ambidextrous
Coolidge they agreed the tepd of the Presidents
far baseball concerned But Mrs Coolidge wonder
full Frck said 1--WE had clinic in Boston, kept get
ting the most intelligent questions from person.
out to be Mrs Coolidge"
"Thats right Griff agreed "Once she at ball game
here and the President had to leave early She Secret
Service to ask to sit with her can't said 1T would
look funny if dared into the Presidents
left The went but right said
Coolidge insisted.
II sat with her and, don't you know she
best scorekeepe Turned she'd been manager
and scorer for the baseball team at vassar."
They left their gifts Trumans desk posed for pictures
and left On the back Frick sad CLARK you the
President say ambdextrous Tuesday Why
you take two baseballs up to his box?"
81 will" Grff vowed "but I'm gonna hide when he throws
right-handed He's a natural southpaw"
"One thing" Frck said when leaving you ducked
back reached the door and talked
President again Maybe it's of business, but :"
"Shuck" Griff said grinning, IT forgot something
these forgot to get his promise to show He said