The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-12-13
World of Sport

where the city rightfully belongs
with Seattle, Portland and Tacoma.
The Coast league people look upon
Spokane at this time as a better prop
osition than some of the towns al
ready in the league; but then they
haven't figured Spokane on the higher
and almost ruinous salary basis
which has throttled the northern
towns. With such salaries as the
Coast league has been paying Spo-
kane would not be showing up as
we'll as have other northern towns.
Spokane emerged from the wreck
of the Lucas league because of the
business ability Of the management
of the club, by means of which the
expenses were kept down and the re-
ceipts. when the large crowds at
tended. were ably used to further the
interests of the club instead of being
recklessly expended In wild rush for
individual players. Conservative
management and the faculty OF, giving
the fans their moneys worth 3n ball
playing. even with team th4t cost
one-third as much as a Coast league
team. was what won money for Spo-
kane's club.
The recklessness of the Coa}t peo-
pie in the matter of salaries. the
building of a payroll bigger than the
gate receipts, the cutting up of the
seasons to play in neutral towns
where the spirit of loyalty and pa
triotism is lacking, all has served to
drain the capital of the Coast clubs
and leave but one or two towns that
can be characterized as money
makers.
To roll this wave Of extravaganza
on to Spokane would be to imperil
even the strong financial management
of this city. There would be grave
danger Of another bankrupt club to
mark the wreck-strewn path of the
Coast league manipulators.
1t is not to be expected that Presi-
dent Clyde Williams and his associ-
ates would permit Fisher to move the
Tacoma club to Spokane. Neither
could it be expected of the local base
ball men to jump into the whirlpool
of salary extravaganza which has
characterized the Harris-Burt crowd.
Yet without high priced team Spo-
kane would be hopeless tailender-
and that, too, would mean loss.
All of these points must be consid-
cred in discussing Spokane as a men,
Der Of the Coast league. The outlook
Is certainly not encouraging. The
only real incentive is that never to
be tolerated Observation-Disclosures sea-
son of Lucas misrule.
Rather than risk good money in an
other wobbly Lucas outfit 1t would be
better for Spokane to attempt to buy
a Coast franchise and take a chance
with the Spokane fans.
Tacoma won from Los Angeles yes
terday, the score being to 4. The
Tigers are again ahead In the post
season race, with today's game to
hear from.
The Pfster alleys were opened to
an immense crowd last night. The
alleys are undoubtedly the finest in
the west and with the growth of reg
uIar patronage, are to be heard from
favorably in the future.
The bowling tournament of the new
Spokane City league will begin next
Friday night, by which time the
schedule will have been completed.
There will be four teams in the, con-
test, the Occur d'Alenes. WarWicks,
Empire State and the Imps of the 3.
A. A. C. The Pfster alleys may put
in a team later.
Chief Two Feathers and ID. Az Nc
MILAN have agreed to wrestler one
week from tomorrow. The articles
are to be signed tonight. =
The Indian Is to throw Mcmillan
three times within an hour If Nc
MILAN throws the Indian once within
that time the latter forfeits $3.50.
There will be three preliminaries to
the main event and some of these
are expected to prove good contests.
WILLIE b. GOODE