The Washington herald., 1909-03-09
DEVLIN WILL SIGN
New York Third Baseman
Leaves for Marlin, Tex.
PROPOSES UNIQUE CONTRACT
Agrees TO Hit and Field Better Than
Last Season If Salary Raise Is
FOrthcOming-WiIling to Take Cut
II He Falls DOwn-Manager COrcO-
ran Will Answer Criticism.
By WILLIAM PEET.


Arthur Devlin. the former Georgetown
star. whose home is in Washington, Ieff
at 1o:5O o'clock last night for Marlin
Tex, 10 join the New York Nationals
He expects TO reach Marlin Thursday
afternoon.
p Devlin has not signed his 1909 contract
and last night said: I am going TO put
a proposition up to McGraw. which
hope he accepts, and venture TO say
that should he DO so the contract viii
be something new TO baseball Here ii
my proposition:
II have asked McGraw for more money
and he has refused, saying that each year
since I have been with the Giants he
has handed me q salary raise. and
each succeeding year I have fallen dowr
in some one department. instead OF i'm
proving. McGraw thinks that If 1 wa:
given a out instead OF a raise I might
play better ball. OF course. I cannot see
It that way. Here is what I propose
doing:
7 think I am worth $3.50 more a year
but am willing 10 show that I can deliver
the goods, so I will agree to hit for 26l
or better-last year I finished .252.
viii also agree to field for $50 last sea.
son I lead the third baseman OF the Ma
tional League with 947. I will further
agree TO steal thirty bases. against twenty
of last year. II I do all this he must
give me the increase. and If l fall dowr
I viii cheerfully take a $50 cut in ruy
salary. Now. is not that a fair PROPOSE
ton? New York fans need not worry
about my signing. for viii get into line
all right. whether or not my proposition
IS accepted"
Devlin would have reported two weeks
ago, with other members Of the New
York Nationals. but for the fact that his
being here in Washington was made I'm
perative by the recent death Of his father
and a large estate 10 be settled. Arthur
being named in the will as executor.
With this work on his handS ii was i'm
possible for him 10 get away sooner.
The great third baseman, just before
boarding a train last night. said that the
New York management had threatened 10
impose a stiff fine for his failure 70 re-
port with the others. but he thought that
when he had made an explanation 10
-A~N'-eN' SNS4 eiiiH6 "V1AQ nc SiuvotAeu
out.
Devlin declares that he is in fine shape.
and. indeed, he looks fit. He has taker
great care Of himself during the winter
and spent much OF the time in the oper
air on hunting and fishing trips
AS a tribute 10 the Nationals. the
Giants third baseman says: u believe
that Washington fans will have the salts
faction Of seeing their team finish nearer
the top than last year. Cantillon has GER
tainly strengthened his club, and if the
pitchers show form. I believe that the
season will be one OF the best IN recent
years"
Mrs Devlin leaves tonight for Chicago
for visit with her parents. and will join
her husband shortly after the season
opens.
In another column on this page is pub
lished letter signed Georgetown Alum
nus" registering a kick on the indoor
meet here last Saturday The writer has
seen Manager Vincent Corcoran, who has
agreed to answer the epistle stating why
Cooke. Of Cornell: Mike DriscoH. Of New
York. and Jimmy Lee, OF Boston. failed
TO put IN an appearance.
The Georgetown alumnus takes a shot
at the sporting editors Of Washing
ton. and intlmates that they lack the
necessary nerve TO publish stuff likely to
be termed as knocks at the manage
ment Of the meet. This indirect charge
should not 20 unchallenged.
That the games were a success the
writer still maintains: that they were
perhaps not run OF as smoothly as pre-
vious events IS 70 be regretted. The
programme was fun Of errors, which also
caused some Of the spectators to grun-
ole, but every event was announced clear
~ oy man with megaphone. three
fourths Of the races were close enough
10 be exciting. and the writer stiu main
tains that the meet was a success. AS
Tor the nonappearance Of Cooke, Lee and
Driscon, Manager Corcoran did all in his
power TO get them here. Corcoran's LET
ter to-morrnW will axnIair hLc ,n-i.i.--