The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-31
MANAGER WORRIED
 BY BASEBALL FANS RumorS Circulated About WiI-
 helm and BIankenShip HAVE NO FOUNDATION Many Good PIavers Can Be Had. But
Many Good Players Can Be Had, But Price Is Above Leagues Salary Limit, Says the Big
 Mogul.

There were developments in the base ball situation yesterday. and the fans are now guessing more actively than ever what the outcome will be of a lot of talk that has started in some unknown quar- ter and has spread all over the slag belt.
 Somebody put out the rumor that Man ager Vaughan had turned down first class opportunities to bring Pitcher Wil- helm and First Baseman Blankenship back to the Birmingham club. Immedi- ately after the report was well on It's way, the guilty man took to the woods and although pursued some distance by a crowd of excited fans. succeeded in making his escape for the time being.
 Manager Vaughan himself denied the rumors but that had little effect The fans held him up everywhere. At Second avenue and Twentieth street a lot of ex- cited enthusiasts of the fair sex button- holed him and put question after question to him in such rapid fire style that the big mogul was all out of breath watching and listening to them. After a moment or two however, he very ungallantly took to his heels. He was pursued but obtained refuge in the press room of the Age-Herald remaining there until after dusk when he was successfully conveyed home by several close and intimate friends
 Question of Money.
 Tt would not be very difficult for ne or any other Southern league manager to get Wilhelm or Blankenship or Bill Ganzel or Clark Griffith or Christy Mat thewson," said Vaughan last night; the only proposition being that of finances. Baseball players can be bought from all most any club, if you are willing to pay the price. They will also work for any club almost, on the same conditions. l do not believe for a moment that I would have any trouble getting both Will helm and Blankenship if l was willing to pay $500 or $500 for the release of each and then sign them at the rate of $4o0 or $500 per month.
 Everybody that knows baseball knows how valuable a man Wilhelm is for any club. know 1t, and know it well. Noth ing would give me greater pleasure than to have him pitching for Birmingham this season. know too that Wilhelm likes Birmingham, and would probably accept a comparatively small salary to play here But that adjective 'comparatively' does not make the salary small enough for us to hire even eight other men and still keep within the salary limit.
 Blankenshp Is going to remain in the west until he goes higher. just because he insisted on proving that he was mighty near the best baseball player in that sec- tioh or the country. How do you suppose l can get him for less than sackful of gold and precious stones? I have hoard that story of nine months contract for iiVe months work, but it cannot be han died that way any more. The rules make 1t plain that no player Is to receive cent more than his contract calls fo. III any manner shape or form, not even II he acts as president and secretary of the club, official score card operator and bat carrier.
 II anybody can show me how can get those two men without drawing on inc reserve fund of the whole financial in- dustry, I will send them plank contracts except for the salary figure and let tban have all the chance they want to figure 1t out and sign them It is almost inn possible to get men from minor leagues not to mention getting fellows that are now or soon will be playing in big league company. That is about all that can be said on that subject"
 Wants to Be Umpire. Wilson Matthews. formerly umnire with the Southern league, has applied for an other berth of the same kind with the association this season. President Kayan- augh has received several letters advo- eating the appointment of Matthews, but up to this time has made no announce ment on that subject. Matthews was with the league during the times of war. when lnsurrectionist Charley Frank led his band of revolutionists through the South ern baseball world
 "Noodles" Hahn Backward.
 The news has reached Birmingham that Noodles Hahn, the outfielder sold by New Orleans last season to New York Americans, has not yet signed the con tract for this season which was sent him by Manager Griffith. Hahn also has the head for more money He played in the Cotton States league in 1904 with New Orleans early last season. and with the Highlanders during the fall. He moved upward so rapidly that he believes he is Just about the best there is. He Is a