Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-06
By J. ED GRuLo.


If there was one player of the many
who have been under suspicion of having
been flirting with the proposed new
league who was believed to have already
signed his contract with Promoter Flet-
cher it was Charley Street, the star
catcher Of the Nationals.
Rumor has had It for some time that
Street had cast his lot with the proposed
new venture. and during the gathering
OF the club owners and officials at the
recent worlds series 1t was repeatedly
asserted by those supposed to be In q
position to know that Street had already
signed q contract with Fletcher.
So persistent were these stories regard
ing. Street that the local club owners ex-
pressed some apprehension as to whether
Street would be in line with the Nation
ais next spring.
It seems, however, that Street has not
signed. In response to telegram from
the writer Street wires from his home at
Williamsport that he has not signed, adj
hitting, however. that he has had much
correspondence with Fletcher, and, that
he has also been rendered contract.
telegram, which follows. explains
itself.
Williamsport, Pa, November 5, 1910.
J. Ed Grille, Sporting Editor Star,
Washington, D. c.
Had numerous correspondence with
Fletcher and have been offered contract.
but. have not signed with new league.
C. E. STREET.
That Street has had lot Of correspond
vry1th of a
was the object Of the promoter to interest
as many star ball players as possible In
his venture. The more players OF merit
that he could induce to tie UP with his
were for its success. for It IL believed
that Fletcher expected to raise money to
back his movement by displaying the sig
natures of q lot Of first-claSs ball play
ers.
The players were to lure the capital
men who believe that base ball Is all
profit. No doubt that the contract which
Street says he has been offered calls for
q large increase in salary. 1t would be
Fletcher's game to offer most anything
to a player to get his signature since
he felt satisfied that 1t would never come
to where he would be compelled to make
good with real cash.
It is gratifying to note that Street says
he has not signed. though it is not to be
these alluring figures which Fletcher
seems willing to put into their contracts.
Not having signed Is fairly good as
surance that Street Will not anix ms
signature, for as time goes on the
Fletcher movement is not gathering much
moss.
There is no doubt that the proposed
Fletcher league caused the major league
club owners moro worry than schemes
10 Tat hot Iy0 q
feared Fletcher would launch his league.
but 1t was the general opinion that the
promoter had q scheme whereby he would
try to make the signing OF every player
cost the club which had claim on the
This. It is believed. is Fletcher's plan.
but It would have failed. for the CLUB
owners had virtually agreed not to give
up q cent for the return OF any player
who might tie himself W with Fletcher
at fancy price; REGARDLESS ns s;,,, o. Hvn tns
would have stood pat. even though the
leagues would have lost their best men.
They were virtually forced to take this
position. for II It was possible for
Fletcher to- get away WITH sn.s year
year and every year theresfter.
Though Washington hnishsd but sew
enth in the last race. 1t 10 fact tnat
there IL not club In the American
League which would realise as much
money as the local club should it put its
PLAYERS NO for auction. Walter Johnson.
Tor instance, would bring a. big price .,
any player in the county. for the rea-
SON that he is still young and has many
years OF service before him. Milan Is
an outflelder that most any club ~ the
country would DO willing to pay q fancy
price for. From Street down to Henry
svery one Of the catohers would com
mand q big figure. while George Mobride
would rate with the topnotchera when
same down to being, in demand. Then
there is Cunningham, who. OF course;
cannot Do figured al having made good
IN fast company. for he has not had
chance. but most any club would Dc VIII
M to take him OF OF HGAieers hands
1t a figure greater than the one paid
for him. But this is not the only evil
ionoe that McAieer has the nunleus tor
good ball team. Tho tact that hve menl-
bsrs at the Ail-6tar team, which defeat
bd the Athletics three out OF four be-
fore the worlds series. we're naAmbers
Of tho Washington team would Indicate
that McAlser has some hlgh,ciass ma
terial. and needs but to plug I'D o fBW