Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-19
A LITTLE TOO STRONG.

Director Billings Tries to Persuade the
World That His Club Lost SS7 900
Last Seasonal Big Figure for John
Clarkson.
rCoisiEsPoNDENCE OF THE DlSPATcH.l
Boston, Jan. 1.-THE Triumvirs are violently
opposed to the location Of an Association team
in this city, and, as they are backed up in their
| stand by several League officials. they are very
likely to carry their point. Director Billings
says:
The Boston League club lost 'SS7, 900 last
season. and it is nothing but impertinence to
ask us to fight for patronage against strong
rival again next season. We went into last
seasons fight stronger than any other League
club; we advanced money to help other teams
along. and now that our opponents have sur
rendered, we want our rights respected" Some
months ago it was stated that the Boston
| League club lost so5, 900 during the season of
go but Billings story is an astonsher Think
of it-SS7.O00 lost on a ball club in one season I
That certainly beats the record. and it would
| interest some people if they could find out how
the TriumYirs do their figuring. The Boston
club ives very expensive one. and Billings
acknowledged to a friend of mine that Jonn
Clarkson cost the club $4,000. Bennett also
made the triumvirs give up an extra s.. 600 be-
fore they could touch him with a I0-foot pole.
Herman Long for the season, cost Sl0 900; Sc 500
was paid for his release from Kansas City. and
he received not less than $780, In Kansas
City they say that Long receives s., 500 for his
services. but $1,000 less is much nearer the
mark. Tucker cost S6 600. half of which was
maid for his release to Manager Barnie OF tine
Baltimore club. kid" Nichols was another
expensive man. His release from Omaha cost
$4,000 and his salary as much more. All in all,
it was a disastrous season for the Boston League
Club, and one can blame them for wanting
the field to themselves after the eventful season
which has lust passed out of sight forever.
On the other hand President Prince. of the
P. L. team says that nothing can prevent his
team from playing at their old stamping
grounds at Congress street. He says the
League club has not money enough to buy his
club out. but as Mr.. Prince is a good. shrewd
lawyer. 1t looks as if he is making big bluff.
Prince was assured by AL Spalding that his
club would be protected, and the fact that he
(Pri1ce) recently bought General Hi Hi Dix
wells s., QUO worth of stock shows that he feels
safe whichever way the cat jumps. If Prince
has binding contracts with his players, he can
make great deal of trouble for the League
people All of last years Boston Brotherhood
PLAYERS signed for three years, and as they have
complaint Many of the players frown at the
idea of having to 20 back to the League again.
and they will stick by their last years employ
erS until the last ray of hope is gone.
The American Association moguls are blow
ing their trumpets long and loud, and will not
listen to any proposition that does not include
Boston ana Chicago in the Association circuit.
The Association people may fight. but 1 don't
believe they will. They have taken the meas
ure of the League men, and know them to be
lot of solid Muldoons in an open fight. How
ever, the League people would not run up
against a lot of chumps when they tackle the
American Association, and the latter body
would make it very warm for the older organi-
cation if they showed as much sand in fight
as they do in their talks with newspaper men.
The Leagua is the only organization that could
be injured in such a fight, as the Association
has no territory that the League would care 10
encroach upon.
On the other hand, there are many League
cities that the Association could swocp down
upon and with strong clubs and cheaper prices
they would certainly do the League clubs
great deal of harm. Brooklyn was always
greaC American Association town, and with
25-cent admission and Sunday ball, the Associa-
tion would make it very lively for ''Byrnes'
Flushing Bridegroom" But in the end?
Well, there is where League diplomacy
sometimes called ''roguery") would get the
upper hand. for the diplomats OF the League
would soon gobble up the best Association
talent and give their rivals a chance to attend
their own funerals. But let us have peace; that
is what the public wants. and their wishes must
be taken into consideration every time.
CHARLES j. FOLEY.