The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-30
Public Ezas Rights
TO Be Respected
BY GUS MALBERT.

n
with football a thing OF the past, SO fai
as the season of 1910 is concerned thoughts
OIL the fans naturally turn to baseball In
lsH. 1t is a little early to form any plan,
or to attempt to pick teams. AS matter
of fact. SO far as the Virginia League
STANDS. few OF the cities which viii repre-.
sent tho league know just what men VIII
be on the teams.
however with the logs burning brightly
droa ,r =, nrepiaces and With me otnermise
ureafS evenings spreading dolefu before.
many who dom their coats during the heat
ea spell and watch the men as they work
tor baseball honors, will while away the
hours IN discussing prospects from base
pan standpoint. 1t Is for this reason that
we winter months will be filled with pre-
uictions and counter predictions as to what
WIZ happen when the leaves get green and
tnere Is that warmth in the air which
speils oaseoall' to the fan.
What Cities In League.
The one absorbing question locally Is
what teams will compose the Virginia
League next season." 1t is a hard question
10 answer. The men who really know re-
fuse to give any definite information, and
those who don't know are SO prolific in
giving opinions and have these opinions
change so frequently that little credenco
is given. 1t Is ever a mystery to the man
VINO cares and who spends his money for
nasepall entertainment why the magnates
refuse to come out openly and tell theii
prospects. 1t is this policy OF secrecy and
mystery which lends much weight to the
arsument OF tho man who pays the price
when he knocks a losing team. Given o
reasonable amount of advance notice as TO
the plans for tho season the fan can give
some good advice.
It is not always essential that tho advice
given by the outsider be followed. But It Is
vastly important that the public be taken
into the leagues confidence The affairs OF
a baseball team--a successful baseball team
should be an open book II, as Is declared
time and again, 1t Is the intention of the
management to give good baseball; in fact.
the very best baseball at the price. then
there is little reason for making 1t a sher-
lock Holmesian affair. Tho public Is in
teressed. intensely interested. and the pub
lie. after all Is said and done. is the one
thing to be pleased.
WHO VIII Be Manager?
For instance, take the question OF man.
ager OF course, we all realize that. under
certain conditions, II would be foolish 70
mention names. II IL is hoped to land
man on whom some other organization has
a claim, then publicity might mean the de-
feat of the very ends it might hope to
achieve. But admitting this Is the case. the
public is entitled TO know it.
The penny-wise and pound foolish policy
OF acting under the principle that, the public
is to be handled in the manner suggested
by the old Phineas Barnum philosophy ir
exploded. The public knows, and the public
as usual thing makes reasonable demands
Therefore 1t is no. only the duty. but
wise policy for the magnates to take the
public into their confidence
III the Virginia League the season which
Will begin with the departure of the snow
birds will be an innovation The salary lin
it will be reduced to $500 month, which
means that many of the players who rece!v.
ed SITS and $3.50 a month viii have to go
What disposition OF these players will be
made remains to be seen. Certain It 1, that
they cannot remain with the ole organiza.
ton. Their places Will be taken By cheaper
but, it is thought by many. better men