The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-12

The twenty per cent. reduction in
salaries in the Eastern league is caus-
ing more or less dissatisfaction
among the players at Wilkes-Barre.
The members of the Wilkes-Bar club
are in rebellion.
The two highest paid men on the
team, "Ratsy" Wright and Joe Knight
refused poinr blank to accept the re-
duction and would not take part in
the game yesterday. They were paid
'oit and given their release. President
Stegmaier said that according to thc
agreement entered into at Syracuse
Sunday, no other club in the league
would be at liberty to sign the two OBJ
streperous players.
Pitcher Keenan, was given his re-
lease this afternoon. Keenan, says he
asked for his release, but This is de-
MED by the management
Manager Finn, of Rochester, said
last night at Wilkes Barre he was an
xiously awaiting telegram from
President Powers. He said ne did not
know what town the Rochester club
would be transferred to, but he thought
Ottawa. Mr. Finn also said that all
of his players had accepted the reduc-
tion but one man, and he would prob
Manager Kuntzsch, of Syracuse, yes
terday offered to turn the team over
10 the players and give them 1000 and
the use of the park, providing they
Will agree to run the team until the
end Of the season. The offer will prob
ably be accepted.
SYRACUSE OPINION.
The Syracuse Standard of yesterday
has the following report of the meet
ing of the Eastern League held in
that city Sunday, which would indi-
cate that the league is in an unsteady
position at present:
THE Eastern League magnates met
at the Globe hotel yesterday morning
and decided upon 20 per cent. cut in
salaries. The cut takes effect under
the resolution of July !, but this back
handed sort of thing will not go gen.
orally, and players will he asked to
accept the cut from this date. What
arrangement is made 20 protect mag
mates whose players accept their re-
leases in preference to reduction is
not given out. The magnates say,
however, confidently that no player
released by one Eastern League club
will be signed by another
President Powers will certainly
not approve the contract of any such,
and further. President Powers has
from the presidents of the Western
and Atlantic leagues the most abso-
lutte endorsement in advance of the
association taken yesterday--for what
that action would be had been decid-
ed upon. This means that clubs in
these leagues implicitly bind them
selves not to take players who are re-
. leased by the Eastern league because
q of the cut in salaries. We shall see
whether they will do this. ,
Is IN A BAD WAY.
1T need not be concealed that the
league is in a bad way. In Provi-
dence Mr.. Draper and in Springfield
Mr.. Sheean have put up their own
good money to keep clubs afloat which
they could not hone would get on a
paying basis. President Pow""- ros
been kept busy keeping the league to-
gether and has had several narrow
escapes from failure to dc that much
He came to Syracuse yesterday not
unprepared and not much opposed to
disbandment. The salary cut was,
however booked for a trial.
IF the players know their business
best way out. 1t is hard TO live COM
fortably upon $3.50 month, of course.
All of us who have been accustomed
TO getting 800 regularly the 1st and
18th appreciate what sore trial it
is. But even on $3.50 there would not
be any foreclosing of mortgages on
the little family home. any living on
crust of bread in an attic or any
going barefoot and ragged.
IF the magnates all do as they
have agreed to do, each one will save
better than $500 month. and the
season may be finished at small addi-
tional loss. The difficulty is that there
isn't likely to be one magnate in the
bunch who will stick to the agree
ment Some men will be reduced 20
per cent. and some will be compro.
missed at 10. If previous experience
counts for anything this is about the
course the magnates will follow.
President Powers has a letter from