The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-26
WITH THE SCRIBES.

If you judge from the New Orleans papers all the cities in the south have been hit by the slump. As a matter of fact the same complaint has not appeared very noticeably in other papers. Perhaps the New Orleans scribes are judging all Southern league cities by their own big, sloppy old burg.
 If Atlanta's attendance has fallen off it Is not apparent to the casual observer. The crowds have been good at every game this season And if the Crackers keep it up at their present gait there will be crowds this season like those of 19O7.- Atlanta Georgian.
 Despite the reverse of the Climbers when up against the Pelicans, the locals are better team than the Birds. Indi- vidualy the men have more merit, while collectively they are together better. Lit tie Rock is strong, and has played over Montgomery in many of the series, but the Travellers aren't as steady as ths Montgomery squad, and are less consist ent."-Montsomery Journal.
 Detroit made 1t six straight from St. Louis yesterday. McAleers Browns have won just one game since May 30, and that Is some time baclx-when 1t marks slump for a ball club. Another hilar- ious shooter of the present epoch is George Stallings outfit. Stallings' club is acting like ballast heaved out of d balloon four miles above the sod.-Nash- vile Tennessean.
 Manager Charley Frank exhibited a score of telegrams regarding the alleged ineligibility of Pitcher George Paige to be- come member of the New Orleans team and the last one received was from Pres ident William M. Kavanaugh of the Southern league. one which revealed the fact that the proxy is very much put out. and will insist on the use of all possible red tape.
 Paige came over from Charleston after becoming dissatisfied. He had pitched nearly half the games played by Charles ton. but had never signed or even been rendered a contract by Wilson Matthews, manager of Charleston, according to his sworn affidavit. He told Manager Frank that he was afraid Charleston would chuck him if he showed any signs of becoming tired, there being no contract between player and club.
 The Dutchman quickly signed Paigey, WhO iOofcu 8OOu, 2tllu tueH began W1rlnE Secretary Farrell at Albany, N. r., about him. Farrell said no contract for 1909 be- tween Paige and Charleston had been re- ceived by him at headquarters of the minor league association and therefore Paige was a free agent and could sign with New Orleans-the rule requiring that contracts shall be tendered players with in 15 days after they report.
 Both by telegraph and telephone Man. ager Frank acquainted President Kava- naugh of all these things, but Kavvy be- haved altogether to the ice, according to the local mogul.
 Must have official advisement from Secretary Farrell, the judge responded. Do not use Paige in any game until have definite report from Farrell"
 So there you are. The Dutchman has burned up the wires, but says his hands are tied because President Kavanaugh is exercising his authority little too much. Howevers it's best bet that Secretary Farrell will notify President Kavanaugh at once, for Manager Frank sent a sizzer to the minor league association man late yesterday, asking him to do so.
 And then when Little Rock says Go ahead" we'll see what Mister Paige has, New Orleans Picayune.
 Both teams played sensational ball in the field. For the first time in years our boys are in shape to play the. worlds champions to standstill. and they did 1t today. An unlearned observer, ignorant of the respective standing of the clubs. would have had quite a time deciding which team was the champion outfit. and he would probably have picked the Reds. The work of the entire inf1eld was dream. Tom Downey had the most ca do and he was everywhere at once, mak- ing Joe Tinker look around in amaze ment to think that an utter stranger could come onto his own lot and show him up. Egan Mowry and Hobby all played the finest article of ball. The Cubs no longer have a mortgage on the good work in contests of this kind. The Reds not only put up clever defense, but their batting was very effective. They soaked Jeff Overall so hard that he lasted less than two innings, and Kroh was an easy mark for them Hagerman and Brown pitched only inning each and that Is all that let them out. Dicky Egan led with, the stick, having three rattlins bngles to his credit. The Rebel, Big Mike, and Hobby also hit timely, to say nothing of MT. H Gaspar, who drew a couple at the most interesting moments. The Reds put up such a stern offensive that 1t carried the Cubs, who had ex- pected something made to order, com petely off their feet.-Cincinnau En-