Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-16
MURRAY SECURE.
rs 1ronclad Contract With Phillies
Calling for $4,000.

NEW YORK, November 16-Base ball
players contracts, as a rule, do not
amount to much when tested in q court
OF law, because OF the compulsory re-
serve clause which they generally con-
tain: but in the case of William j.
Murray, manager OF the Philadelphia Ma
tionals, there's an ironcIad contract in ex-
istence which cannot be broken unless
Murray consents. Murray has been a
ba ball manager and player ever since
he could swing a bat, and he has had
much experience with the magnates
When he received an offer to manage the
the Philadelphia club several years ago
he was prospecting as manager of the
Jersey City Eastern League team. He
had declined other offers from major
league clubs in previous seasons because
of his success in the minors, but the
Philadelphia offer was so tempting that
he decided to consider it. With his usual
shrewdness Murray. after a confab with
the Quaker magnates, agreed to accept
the proposition, provided he could draw
up his own contract. AS his condition
was agreeable Murray proceeded to draft
document, calling for a yearly stipend
OF $4,000 and stipulated that he should
have absolute control of the players and
could not be released until the expiration
of the time therein stated, the end of
the season of 1911. This contract was
duly signed and sealed and Murray as
sumed charge of the Philadelphians.
1t was plain sailing until Felix Isman
attempted to get into base ball last sum-
mer as controlling owner of the Philadel-
pha club. 1sman secured an option on
the stock and boldly announced that he
had arranged to secure Mike Donlin from
the Giants as manager in exchange for
1sman declared Murray out Of the man.
agement. But that was just the kind of
thing Murray had fortified himself
against. He had an ironclad contract
and knew where he stood. So he re-
fused to resign and defied Isman. with
the result that the latter had to declare
everything off except the option on a ma
jority of the clubs stock. which Isman
still holds. Somebody asked Isman the
other day if he intended to buy the
stock and this was the reply:
Not unless Murray gets out! II he re-
mains with the club 1 shall relinquish my
option
Murray arrived in town yesterday for
closed. He laughed when asked about the
Philadelphia tangle and Isman's state
ment.
You can say for me- said the Quaker
manager. that I have an excellent con-
tract with the Philadelphia club which
will be lived up to by me in every way.
1t calls for $4,000 In the next two years,
and. as we all need the money I cannot
see my way clear to give up such a really
good thing to please even Mr.. Isman. i
am not to blame for the failure OF the
Philadelphia to win the pennant. i have
not had the material, but l hope to i'm
prove the standing of the team before my
contract expires. Donlin? Oh, he's a
good fellow and was great ball player
once. but l wouldn't trade Magee for him
under any circumstances. Mr.. Isman
probably means WELL but he will have
to learn that you can't run a major
league ball team like a theatrical troupe.
Yes. I'm going to stick Ii out and I'm go
ing to collect my salary in full, too. This
may be unpleasant news to Mr.. Isman.
but can't help II. Furthermore you can
say that my team will play better ball
next year and that We'll beat out the
Giants In the race
If Murray had been forced out of the
Philadelphia clubs management last sum-
mer ii is said that he would have had
several big offers from other majo league
clubs. notably the Boston Nationals, the
Brooklyns, Washingtons. St. Louis Amer
leans and Clevelands. He has always
been highly regarded as a handler and
dtScOyerer of plaVerS