The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-28


Salaries in the Western league, says
Joe Campbell, this season call for hard
time figures, and it is common talk
among the minor league players that
there are certain Western league ath-
letes working for the miserly stipend
of s75, and on contracts that call for
four-and-a-half months wages. This
close-fisted policy has also crept into
the major organization. There are
players fresh from the minor ranks
who draw less than $1,000. Although
there is supposed to be a $1,000 limit in
the major league, there is no minimum,
and there are players in the twelve
club organization who are content to
draw 500 per month, though their SER
vices in the Atlantic, Western or East
ern leagues would command larger
salaries. This small-salaried player is
looked upon by his comrades in the
same angry light that a union member
views what he terms 'scab.' This i'll
feeling gives rise to many a spat,
bicker and knock among the players on
the same team. IF a ball player isn't
worth 5000 month to the big league
then his services are worth nothing, and
I blame the players as much as the
cheap jack magnates for this state of
aIIalrS. says Joe hellty. eli SEoi
ago there was no salary limit, and play
ers in the old Western association re-
ceived as high as $4,000 and $4,000 on the
season. Killen, who pitched for Tim
Hurst and Sam Mortons Minneapolis
club in 80 had a 81 500 contract, and
Elmer Cleveland, who played third base
for the same team, was paid $500 for
his services that season. If a player
receives a 81, 200 contract in the West
ern league nowadays he is regarded as
high priced Will the flower and velvet
days of base ball ever return? Think
of those days in the sos, when Johnnie
Ward. Buck Ewing, Ed Hanlon and
the other stars were paid $500 and
over! The Brotherhood killed the snap
Now the relatives are dying
At a most appalling rate,
And the sudden spells of sickness
Much anxiety create.
And the strangest thing about these
Tales of woe, these faces wan
Is that they are much more frequent
When the baseball seasons on
Tears are trembling on the eyelids
Of the office-boy. once bright.
And he sadly makes announcement
That his uncle died last night.
Then the tears so plainly noticed
Down his face begin to stray
And he sobs his thanks on being
Told he needn't work to-day.
AS the hour of noon approaches
1t is noticed that the clerk
Is SO sick that he's unable
To continue at his work.
He's complaining of fever
And a pain that racks his head.
So ne asks and gets permission
To go home and seek his bed.
Just al D. m. the merchant
Who has long denounced the game,
Feels a twingc of rheumatism,
And he suddenly gets lame
Every minute brings more torture,
AS his grimaces attest.
Till at last for home he's starting,
With the hope of getting rest.
But recovery is sudden,
And from favorite grand-stand chair,
That sick merchant sees the ball game,
And he sees the sick clerk there.
And among the yelling rooters
On the bleachers TO the right,
Is the office-boy who told them
That his uncle died last night.
Yes. the relatives are dying
At a most appalling rate,
And the sudden spells Of sickness
Much anxiety create.
But no undertakers profit,
With the doctors it's the same,
For these tales are fabrications.
Told to get to see the game.
--Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph,
It is rumored that the ownership of
the Baltimore franchise is likely 10
pass away from Ned HanlOn ct al. in
the not very distant future. Ever Since
the Brooklyn-Baltimor deal was con-
summated there has been q desire on
the part of the owners to cut loose from
their Baltimore holdings because Of the
cry Of Syndicate BALI that has gone
up all over the league circuit. Within
the last week negotiations have been
on, it is said, by which the Orioles will
be purchased-players franchise and
all-for $26, 900 cash. One of the pros
pective buyers is J. J, MahOn Of Balti-
more brother-in-law of Joe Kelly,
and the hitch over the sale is said 10 b
u demand on the part of Mahon tina:
Kelly be included in the assets If the
Baltimores. This condition may result
in the dropping of the deal, as Kelly
is one of the mainstays of the SupcfJaS
Brodie and Griffin have been mentioned
as likely chaps to succeed Kelly, but il
is admitted that they would fill Kellv's
hrogans about as well as a Cinderella
foot would fit the slipper of a Chicago
miss. On account Of the good ball tina!
the Orioles have been playing the clut
has not been losing much money, anC
it is expected to be a good Investment
in case the new owners spent Attlt