Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-16
FRASER GOES BACK.
Negotiations Are Also on Between
Laioie and Col. Rogers

special from Philadelphia says that
Pitcher Chick Fraser left that city late
last night and will join the Phillies at
Plttsburg today. Fraser is the first of the
three players of the Athletics who were
enjoined by the Philadelphia National
League Club to decide to return to his old
team. The others, Second Baseman Laioie
and Pitcher Bernhard, are still considering
offers made to them by Colonel Rogers
Manager Shettsline has been expecting that
they would report for duty, but in this the
Phiilies' manager will be disappointed. La
Joie and Bernhard, it is stated on good
authority, are still holding off for better
inducements, each having given his terms
to the PhillieS' officials.
The present condition between this trio
OF players and the magnates by whom they
were employed, previous to their signing
with the Athletics was brought about in
directly by the court proceedings in which
the two Philadelphia clubs and these play
ers We're involved. 1t is reported that the
players have not received any salary from
the Philadelphia American League club
since the season began. This condition, it
is believed was brought about by the fact
that common pleas court No. > granted a
temporary injunction against all three on
April %, the day the Athletics opened the
American championship season at Balti-
more. Lajoie played in eight innings of
that game. and Bernhard pitched the entire
stood to begin April 10, but as the court
later permanently enjoined all these play
ers, the Athletics mana gement it is under
stood, decided that since the court ruled
they belonged to the Phillies the players
must look to the National League club for
their money, and thus the Athletics would
avoid any legal complication that might
arise should they pay the men any salary.
In addition, Fraser received a consider
able sum from the Athletics in the form of
advance money, possibly more than a
months salary, so that he was not much,
if anything. out on this score Bernhard
may also have received advance money,
while Lajoie's salary, 1t is said, ran from
January l until the time he was tempo
rarily enjoined. 1t is likely. therefore, that
all three have lost nothing to date by the
failure of the ghost to walk for them
since April 10
This condition Of affairs, however caused
uneasiness among the enjoined trio. and
negotiations were opened with Colonel Rog-
ers. AT conference between the latter
and the players and their counsel the ques-
ton of the return of the men was dis
cussed. The men stated the terms they
desired, and the salary question was ad-
justed in so far as the two pitchers were
concerned. Lajoie and Colonel Rogers, 1t
is reported, could not come to terms on this
point.
One of the joint conditions of the players
that the Philadelphia National League
club should pay them from April Is, the
same as if they had been with the Phillies
throughout the championship season. AL
though one month of the season has now
passed. Colonel Rogers agreed to this ar
rangement providing the players reported
in Pittsburg in time for today's game. Bern
hards conditions, as we'll as those of Fra
ser, We're agreed to, and it was thought the
pair would leave Philadelphia together last
night. Bernhard. however. it is understood,
imposed another condition that caused a
temporary hitch in his case. In returning
to the Philies, Fraser, it is reported, will
receive an advance over the salary paid to
him under his 1900 contract, and both Bern
hard and Lajoie will fare equally well
should they follow Chicks" example.
Lajoie yesterday removed all his per-
sonal belongings from his locker at Column
b!a Park, which Is looked upon as an indi-
cation that he is about to follow Frasers
example