Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-12
BY j. ED GRILLo.

OF the tveney-nine players on the
Washington reserve list less than ten
have signed contracts for next season
and vet that fact should not cause the
slightest uneasiness to either the 1ans
mr. the club management. In many IN
stances the PLAYERS are satisfied with the
terms offered them, but are taking thelr
time about returning the signed docu-
mont while in a few cases the players
want an increase over last season or Cd
iect Ia a cut which Manager McAleer has
inflicted.
R,,t tho holdours are decidedly few,
If in fact they can be called hoid-outs,
for il is nearly two months before the
team starts for its southern training
camn and much can happen in the mean,
Time Rau PLAYERS are not &c be biaileu
for irving To get all they can lot lh.li
services, and it often pays thein 10 W
iect to figures offered. but tnere are w
..idsdly few who have quit the game or
remained idle any length of time because
Of difference on the salary question.
There are several members oil the ~
cal team last season who were uIdWine
more. salary than they We're entltieu u.
NcAleer has cut these in Justice TO tne
players who delivered the goods, Mi,iie
he has raised the pay of others VINO III MS
opinion are deserving of an increase.
1t should not cause ripple OF eASi'I :;
ment TO hear that this or that PRAYER y
holding out at this season or the !ea.,
for when the bell taps they are usually
all found in line.
Conditions have frequently compelled
the Washinst club TO pay ehui NOUS
salaries TO individual players VINO uiu iiu ~,
deserve Ii; while players VINO u..iNe'eu
the goods were. in comparison uhueIpa'u,
This was the result of taking payers
from other major league teams anu as
suming their old contracts.
In most instances these players We're
among the stars OF other teams peno,e
they came here and were PAID as such.
The local club had to pay .nenl az .ae
same rate, and i'm many cases inns was
not justified. 1t is this evil Whlcn jim
McAIeer will straighten out Gessier. Ioi
instance. drew more pay last year thdu
any of the other oiitheiders, Wnicn was
an Injustice to at least Milan, who proved
himself a most valuable man. McAieer
proposes to cut Gessler and raise Milan.
That looks like fair propost1on Two
or three others on the team are entltieo
TO increases according to McAieer. white
there are others who will be cut. waiter
Johnson. of course. will get substantial
raise. which was agreed 10 "heh nc
signed last years contract Johnson
more than any other player on the team
In entitled to a fat salary for the reason
that he is not only great pitcher. pu5
he is drawing, card, which can De saiu
of very few players, Cobb and La)ole
probably being the other two in the Amer
lean League
ON the dope il would seem that the Ma
tionals have picked up most likely look.
ing youngster i'll the iniielder Bunting Oh
the Fayetteville club OF the Eastern Caro-
lima League. who was secured py dralt.
Bunting on his performance lii ioltE-
seven games played last season. seems
to be the ideal utility infielder. He Was
the sixth best hitter in that league. Win
an average of o6S. while he easily leo
the third basemen, a position he hlled
during his activity with the team. WITH
an average Of .:,2. Dick Padden un-
earthed this young man, who Is SAID 10
have all the earmarks of a coming ois
Lacquer. The utility position on any team
these days is of the greatest Importance
and If Bunting is of the right stripe he
will do much TO help the team
With kiilifer sure to 60. 1t leaves Nc
Aleer but Schaefer and Conroy for util-
ity infield positions. and it can truthfully
be said that neither is any longer OF hiSn
class in those positions. In fact. McAleer
. figures on making an outfielder of Schaef-
er If things do not turn out right with .n
the position. while Conroy will be car
ried solely TO fill Elberfelds shoes when
he is out of the game, which is apt TO
he often, fer he takes so many desperate
chances. There is. however. no player on
the team who can take MeBride's. place.
-. unless; ii be Bunting, and he VIII be
pointed 10 fill that place when Mcbrlde
is Off and that has been bat about 1--WE
games in tie three years he has been
here.
Bob Grooms demand for more salary
Than he has been offered-and there are
reasons to assume that he was not ASKED
to stand a cults not well founded. The
chances are that il McAleer wanted &c
send Groom to the minors. where he
would be unable to draw more than two
thirds OF his present salary. he would not
experience any trouble in securing walv-
ers from the other seven clubs. Groom
has been with the Nationals two seasons
and while he has shown an Occasional
fash he has far from shown himself tt
be a high-class performer Conditions
here have not been favorable to Groom
for the reason that the patrons of the
game have soured on him. His display Of
nervousness when pitching has made. him
a mark for the fans. and ii is extremely
doubtful if he VIII ever improve if he re-
mains here. Blu. 1t would seem that in
q desire To give him another chance Is
treating him fairly. especially il his salary
has not been cut.
NcAlcer. unlike most managers. is very
considerate 70 the players he intends &c
let ont of his fold. Fed killifer, for
instance will be allowed to pick the
club he wants to play with in the minors
All applicants for Killifer's release have
been notified that just as soon as killfel
makes known his preference he will bs
disposed of.
This means that the clubs wanting him
~ =