Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
CATCHER HELD OUT
FOR CAR FARE

In commenting catcher George Glib
sons owledgment to President Drey-
fuss that his work last season didn't war
rant an increase in his salary, New York
writer says:
Once there was a catcher who belonged
to club in the west. 1t doesn't matter
much what club, because he is past and
gone now, and the base ball procession has
oozed away from him.
He was asked to come to the Office some
pleasant day and sign his contract for the
next season. He rang the bell one morning,
sidled up to the contract bureau, said Good
morning to everybody. and allowed that he
was willing to talk business.
A nice, clean, shining white contract was
lifted out of the secretary's desk and handed
over to him. 1t stipulated that this catcher
was to receive 81, 800 for the season. The
catcher read it through somewhat leisurely,
crossed out the 81, 800, wrote in its place So,
600, and said he would begin welding to-
gether his autograph as soon the club
accepted his terms.
Wanted Big Raise.
The club, from the president to the Office
boy, threw up it's hands and pretty much
everything else. The cat, seeming differ
ence of opinion, resolved itself into COM
mittee of the whole to get out of the room
and sit on the roof of neighbours bay win
dow and when the secretary caught his
breath his language came in such chunks
that he nearly choked.
The catcher did not sign that morning,
nor the next, nor for several days there
after. He called repeatedly, and after each
call the contending parties were always
nearer compromise, but they couldn't
quite tag on.
At length it grew nearer the time for the
-. Cow orfto n,,1
agreed that this particular catcher should
be forced to state his position, OF be notified
that he could take his spring practice at his
own expense.
about reached the limit in negotiations, for
the next morning when he called he cut his
figure to something like a reasonable limit
and the club owners, taking encouragement
therefrom, began to discuss business with
renewed energy.
Finally he said he would write his terms
on a slip of paper and place it, writing
down. on the desk. and If the president
would do the same on behalf of the club
he would split the difference, if there was
one within $500. and sign for the summer.
Stood Out on Technically.
Thereupon he Scrubbed, and the president
scrubbed, and the secretary, as umpire
turned over to him the slips after they had
been placed before him, to see how the club
and the players stood.
The president had written $1,000.
The player had written $3,001.O5.
This is easy said the secretary, de-
lightedly. There is only a difference of
$1O5 between you. If split that. according
to agreement, you will get over $1,000 a
year. But say, what's the $1.05 for?"
81 won't stand for any splitting of that
said the catcher. That's the size Of the
street car fare I've blown In to try to do
business with you people. If that's split
iii play this year with bush team"
IN, we wouldn't think of dividing that
amount said the president of the club,
hurriedly. Let the figures go at $3.0O1 .05
and, If you haven't any objection, well just
pay you that $1.05 on account now and have
1t out of the way"
So the money was paid over and receipt
was given by the catcher. He felt so much
relieved and so easy after the transaction
was completed that he invited the club own
ers to celebrate with him at his expense.
There were five of the club. They ordered
lust enough to bring the check to ST. The
catcher had cents left with which to buy
o glass of beer.
But he was game He bought sarsaparilla
because he got more for his money.