Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-07
WANTS Killing TO Be
MANAGER OF CLUB
Fletcher Plans to Make the Cub
Catcher a Field
Leader.
MORE ABOUT THIRD
BIG BALL LEAGUE
Promoter Insists His Scheme Is Go.
To Open Office in New York
Shortly.


KANSAS CITY. Mo-. November Al
KANSAS cry. No. November AL
though the ten4gatne series between the
.4ll-Stars has been called OF by Promoter
d: A. Fletcher. the third major league
still is OH the boom. and. according to
Catcher Johnny Killing OF the Cubs, who
arrived home recently. the players who
have signed with. the Cincinnatian will
stick by him and go through with their
end if Fletcher is able to show the de-
sired capital.
Fletcher still contends that he is going
to fight the National and American
leagues and prove that he has a right 10
enter the base ball field
Fletcher has signed ninety-two major
league players said King. and not one
Of US will throw him down until he shows
that he is unable to go through with his
plans. He has the right idea about us be-
ing slaves, and there is absolutely no
chance for US to get fair hearing at any
time
If Fletcher really is sincere in his new
venture he has the supporI of almost
every one. He is trying to prove to the
base bail world what a syndicate the two
major leagues are today, and all he
needs is the money to complete his deal.
W
not corraiied, and he has the contracts OF
ninety-two players signed and is on the
hunt for more. king declared that
Fletcher wants him to manage one of
the clubs. and he has consented and will
work his hardest to develop winner.
The catcher also gave the information
that of the ninety-two signed players
twelve are members Of the Cubs, and
they are not bit anxious to continue
playing with Murphy If Fletcher puts the
deal through successfully.
Will Bring on r War.
d. A. Fletcher. backed by Tex Richard
and Jack Gleason, declared that he would
open permanent offices in New York early
in November for the purpose Of carrying
out his plan to organize a third major
league, and SO bring about a base ball
war.
This news is not welcome to those who
have the best interests of the sport at
heart, in spite OF the fact that few well
informed base bail men accept Fletcher
and his plans seriously. Frank J. Far
Ebbetts and others closely allied to the
sport see only ruin ahead for those who
make the venture.
But the fact remains that A. G. Spald-
ing took the threatened invasion with
enough seriousness to come out with a
opinion would mean a base ball war that
would cost between $2,O6e.O0O and S.
0OO, 900.
One of the leading players on q team in
New York who has been approached by
Fletcher and offered one OF the liberal
contracts prepared, was outspoken in a
warning to his fellow players not to
swallow the alluring bait dangling be-
fore their eyes He said:
Promises are one thing, but before a
player cuts loose from organized base
ball he must consider the future and
not the present. Under the plan Of the
men promoting the new enterprise some
ninety-two players in the two big leagues
have been offered contracts at stated
salaries for a period of five years. with
cash bonus for jumping Of $1O.OO.
The contract contains no renewal or re-
serve clause. SO that at its expiration
the player will be a free agent.
"A contract so worded is bound to be
attractive; but what guarantee has
player got IL the bubble bursts and the
fans fail to support the enterprise? Even
with base ball as popular as it is. some
clubs in the National and American
leagues are losing money. while Others
are barely making ends meet so what
could be expected OF new organiza-
ton, trying to fight its way into me
favor Of the tickle base ball public?
..The players would have their bonus.
or purchase. price. of $4,000, but they
would soon be out OF job and out
lawed by the national commission, II the
new league proved the failure that it is
almost sure to be. The players vino are
now earning good money in organized
base bail. more than they could in nine
out Of ten cases in any ether line, would
do well to look sharply before ey leap,
or they may find themselves scrambhng
about in bad mud hole
It is said that the promoters are PLAN
ming to invest about $2.GDOG0 in the
new league by putting clubs In New
York, Pittsbu-g, Chicago. Washington
Louisville, Detroit. Philadelphia and Bos-
tor. but this amount, big as it rs. will
not go far toward building stands. lay
ing out grounds. paying rental and salts
flying the players.