The Washington herald., 1913-12-02
Don't sign TILL
YOU GET word
Catcher Henry, Nationals
Representative on Players
Fraternity So Advises.
BONUS FOR JOE BoEHLING
Blond Southpaw Rewarded for His
Good Work-Other Sporting
Gossip of Interest.
BONUS FOR JOE BOEHLNG
BY WILLIAM PEET.

According to a member of the Washing
ton baseball club spending the winter in
the Capital, John Henry, one OF the
representatives of the Nationals on the
executive board of the Players Frater-
nifty, has written personally to each one
of Grif1th's players asking them not to
sign 1914 contracts until they hear from
him.
As has been previously published, the
demands of the Baseball Players Fra
ternity are in the hands of the national
commission and thus far no action has
been taken by that august body.
Until the fraternity hears officially from
the commission every effort Is being
made TO restrain the players in both the
major leagues from afixing their John
Hancocks to the contract papers.
In discussing the matter with Manager
Griffith the other day, the Old Fox in
timated that he did not propose to send
out contracts to any of his players until
late in January. and intimated that no
trouble in the slightest degree was an
ticipated-
Il have always treated my ball play
ers fairly in the matter of salary" said
their work, not on past regulations or
future promises.
IF a man delivers the goods for me he
is well paid for ii. Players know this,
and 1 never have any hold-outs."
The chances are that the majority of
major league managers will wait until
the commission acts upon the demands
of the Players Fraternity, and until
such time as the fraternity shall have
issued a statement. before 1014 contracts
are sent out.
The outcome of the whole shooting
match will be that certain concessions
will be made by the national commits
sion, the Players Fraternity will issue
statement that everything is o. K,
and business of signing up for next sea-
son will start with rush.
) few days after Joe Boehling, Grinfs
blond southpaw, established a record for
consecutive wins, while the club was in
ing with the Nationals, went to Boehling
one day and said:
Hey, joel did Griff slip you a bonus
for winning all those games?'
No; why?' Boehling replied. as It
taintly dawned upon him that sometimes
managers did little things like this.
oh, L just wondered" unused the
scribe.
A week or so later this same baseball
writer approached Grin and wanted TO
know why Boehling wasn't entitled to
some sort of bonus.
IN tell you why stiffIy replied the
Old Fox
II don't give my ball players bonuses
for breaking records. Boehling draws
his salary each month. doesn't he?"
The scribe admitted that he probably
cid, and the incident was closed
Nothing more was said until after the
season, when this same baseball writer
happened to meet Boehling on Pennsyl-
V2nia avenue.
cried the Richmond Thunderbolt with q
grin, and pulling out letter from Man
Rger Griffith he exhibited the missive
with great glee.
A check was inclosed and the letter
said substantially as follows: '1n recog-
milton Of your good work during the en-
tire season, I take pleasure in inclosing |
this check which may come in handy |
during the winter"
The check was of suficient bulk TO |
cause the scribe to stare open-eyed and |
say: '1 didn't know there was SO much
money in the world
Griffith never forgets a ball player who |
has given him good, honest, conscientious
work, and who has delivered the goods
Another reason why the Old Fox will +,
probably experience little difficulty in |
signing up his players for next season. |
Doc White. the famous south-paw, OF
the Chicago White Sox, who learned base
ball on the sand lots of Washington; |
pitching for Central High School when a |
schoolboy and later going to Georgetown, !
where he was rated as one of the best
in college ranks, will be a manager next
year.
1t seems funny to refer to Doc White |
as famous old-timer, yet he has out |
lived his usefulness in the majors
White will pilot the Venice club Of the |
Pacific Coast League, and there is a lot |
OF speculation as to whether or not he |
will make a successful minor league 4
manager.
As ball player Doc was always rated |