The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-23
PARENTS PLAIN TALK

II think John T.. Brush has a lot OF
nerve 10 call me contract jumper,
says Freddy Parent, formerly OF the
Providence Grays. but now the crack lit
tie shortstop OF the Boston Americans.
II defy him To show any document which
can bind me 90 his club ON the other
hand. Mr. Brush went squarely back on
his word 10 me. He offered me $1,000
year for three years. and / signed an
agreement to that effect, which / have
in my possession. Now, Mr.. Brush has
never made good. lie has never submit
ted "A three-year contract. All he did was
TO send me contract for 1900 for one
year. and he did not send that until he
found had signed with the Boston Am
orleans. lie knew that would be con-
tract jumper II | signed his contract; yet
he didn't scruple 10 send IT 10 me.
II rather think that If there has been
any agreement breaking. IL has been on
his side Had he kept his word | would
have signed a three-year contract and
would be playing with Cincinnati today.
mot only has this man deliberately
gone back on his word TO me. but he has
gone out OF his way 10 place me I'm a
false light before the baseball world.
am no contract jumper.I have not broken
my word. / have lived up 10 every agree
ment / have made with this man. i have
a clean reputation I'm baseball and intend
action at law against Mr.. Brush on his
agreement and could have compelled him
10 make good.
Let me tell you the whole story. on
the second western trip last season. while
we were playing in Detroit, w. III. Wat
kins, Brush's agent, came on especially
TO secure Winters and myself. He did not
come TO the grounds himself. but sent
bellboy from the hotel where he was
staying. requesting us to meet him that
night. He made overtures TO us TO play
In Cincinnati, sand started at $1,000. / said
l wouldn't play for that amount. and af-
ter some talk he raised his offer TO $500
for one. two or three years. told him L
wouldn't do anything for less than three
years, and would think the matter over
Then he said he would see us in Chicago
a few days later.
"In Chicago he sent Fox OF the Cincin-
natis over to the Victoria. asking us to
meet him at the Auditorium. AS soon as
we arrived he said Well, boys. I've been
thinking the matter over, and have de-
cided 10 give you $4,000 year said: III
sign an agreement II IL suits me. for three
years Watkins then asked Winters IL
that would be satisfactory, and George
said Yes
Watkins then wrote an agreement and
showed IL 10 me. i didn't like 1t and he
wrote another / thought IT was all right
fed with Il. Duplicate copies were made
and we signed all the papers. He then
said that we wouldn't be sorry we had
signed, that the Cincinnati club would be
the best club in the country and have the
best grounds
Before we left the room he told us
that contracts would be sent TO us later
in the season. Winters and / gave him
our addresses. never heard from him
nc VT ~
weeks afterward, asking him to send on
his contract and requesting advance mon
ey. No answer was received to this COM
munication. ! said TO Winters They're
bluffing us. The best thing we can do is
to sign with Boston If they will do the
fair thing by us
1--WE heard nothing from Cincinnati and
signed with Boston. / went home after
the season closed and the following week
received contract from Brush calling
for one years services at $1,000. A letter
was inclosed the tenor of which was de-
sire on his part to sign the contract i'm
mediately | paid no attention TO the let
ter or contract. Two weeks after that he
wrote TO me asking why had not signed
the contract. l made no answer To this
communication
81 did not hear from Cincinnati again
until this March, when Manager McPhee
sent me n contract and a letter. McPhee
requested me TO sign the contract and re-
turn IL and he would send me a blank for
the measurement OF my uniform. / took
no notice OF this. Then | got another let
ter on the heels OF this one ordering me
20 report but ! went South with Collins
team just the same. When I'm Augusta I
got a letter from Brush I'm which he said
he wanted me to report. and II I didn't he
would go 10 law about II. but he thought
/ would report and obviate such action
on his part
"If he intends TO begin any process
against me | wish he would hurry up
and not keep me I'm suspense. I am get
ting "A little nervous and IL may affect my
batting average. Both Winters and
Doughcrty received letters of the same
tenor. but have not been disturbed BY
them any more than I. ! am perfectly
satisfied here in Boston. | like the people