Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-19
McALEER NEVER SIGNS
Asst. LOUIS CONTRACT

ST. LOUIS. Mo-, January 19-Manager
Jimmy McAleer is one Of the Brownies
overlooked when President Hedges mailed
out his contracts for the season of 1907,
Furthermore, Hedges does not intend to
mail McAleer a contract, and IL he did so
he would expect to get it back unsigned
Not only this, but McAleer is not under re-
serve. and IL he sees fit he can quit right
now or in the middle Of the season and take
charge of any other club in either league
All OF which is admitted by Mr.. Hedges.
though the latter does not appear to be in
any way alarmed over the matter.
McAleer never has signed a contract.
Neither has lac ever been reserved Prob
ably that is the main reason why Hedges
is not worrying about his manager for the
coming season. McAleer Is unique in both
leagues In respect to his neither having
signed contract nor been reserved since he
Joined the American League. When the
American League club was formed in St.
Louis McAieer was picked for manager by
the powers that were in the league. Ban
johnson. Of course. being the high chief Of
the power department. McAleer was the one
who carried on negotiations with the play
ers and signed them up to contracts.
Stormy Days.
Contracts were not worth much those
days unless backed up by GOOD faith on
the part of those making them as the
American and National leagues were en-
gagged In the gentle art Of convincing play
ers that 1t was no crime to jump them and
the leagues stood ready to prove in court
that this was true. Not only that, but
they came pretty near proving that the
holders of such contracts were violating the
anti-slavery law. Since then this has, Of
course, changed somewhat, and Garry
Hermann. Ban Johnson and Harry .-ul-
outlaw players in the Tri-State League to
that organization to wear sackcloth and
ashes for the remainder Of their lives. But
that is another story.
When McAleer organized the Browns and
assumed management OF the team there
was an understanding between himself and
Hedges This agreement has stood ever
since. When peace was finally declared and
contract would have been binding Hedges
and McAleer agreed that they were satisfied
with the way things were going and they
have kept right on with an agreement With
out anything which would b:nu it, Outside
OF the select few on the inside of the club
nobody knows exactly what salary Nc
Aleer receives or how he stands with the
club. Despite the fact that his name never
appears in any way officially connected
ager, 1t is pretty certain that McAleer has
held stock in the organization.
Strong Friends.
What has enabled Hedges and McAleer
to get along SO well without any written
agreement is the personal friendship and
unquestioned faith each has in the other
Hedges will take McAleer's word for any,
thing in connection with the running Of
the team, and players never think of ap-
pealing from the manager to the president.
If they did, they would get nothing but ad-
vice to go back to McAleer. In fact, they
are more likely to get anything they may
want out Of genial James than Hedges, I'M
less it applied to financial matters Two
years ago, when some of the fans were
hammering McAleer, and even one or two
Of those holding stock In the club were be-
ginning to the appointment Of new
manager, Hedges declined to listen to any
such a move, and 1t is more than probable
that when one quits the game the other
will go, too. So far there has never been
an open disagreement of any kind between
the two. Both are quick tempered at tines
and it is more than probable that they have
their battles in private. but they must
settle them that way. for the outside
they have always been on the best terms
with each C..Ier