The Washington times., 1914-01-03

Ray Chapman, the dazzling shortstop
of the Cleveland Maps, is another big
Lacquer to come forward with a denial
of the reports that he has signed with
the outlaws. From all sides are coming
reports from stars OF the big snow that
the Federal League is using their names
without warrant Up to date Joe
Tinker, Mordecai Brown, and George
StovaII are the lone trio Of players
grabbed by the outlaws from the. big
leagues.
When Miller learned that rrfsnors were
afioat that he might not appear in Gin
cfnnati as a member OF the Players
Fraternity committee because OF his
having signed with the Federal League
he came forward full blast.
"I have not signed a Federal League
contract, nor have 1 accepted terms
with any outlaw club" he declared
The Federals wrote me several letters
asking me to jump the reserve clause In
my contract, but 1 never even took the
trouble to answer them. II they have
really stated that have agreed to man
age or play with one Of their teams
they lie.
II pledged my word to the fraternity
that I wouldn't sign with any club until
after our demands had been granted or
denied by the National Commission on
January and 1 am going to Cincinnati
in good faith to serve on our COM
mittee.
Il have no fault to find Nth the deal
that sent me to the st. Louis Cardinals.
OF cource, i would have preferred 10
to play in Pittsburgh, but as will re-
ceive the same salary in st. Louis l
have made no protest l don't know
whether Tinker has actually signed OF
not with the Chicago Federals. |
understand that he will soon ill several
vaudeville engagements in New YORK
and Brooklyn, and perhaps he needs the
advertising. AS for myself. l can't see
how the Federal League can live with
out first-class major league teams, TO
secure which it will require many thous.
ands Of dollars. Organized baseball
looks pretty good to me"
A little joker has been discovered in
the Federal League corltraet and IL Is
sure to have considerable efect upon
Players thinking Of going 20 the out
laws. In consideration for One-thir-
tieth of his salary each player agrees
to be reserved for the following year
''at the same salary" These quoted
words do rot appear in the contract
used BIZ organized baseball Where
the Federal Lacquer is compelled by
his contract to play forever at the same
salary, the player in the organized
ranks is always able to dicker with his
manager for an increase in his stipend.
There are rI:mors of a wordy battle
between John A. Gilmore, president Of
the Federal League, and Charles
Weeghman, president OF the Chicago
club of that league. In Gilmore's alb
sence from Chicago WeeghmaE has
taken it upon himself to become the
mouthpiece of the organization.
Every club in the Federal League
must spend 1T least $4,000 to secure
FIVE major league players or forfeit
SIS CO.," says Mr.. Weeghman. when
] decided to enter the Federal League
it was with :he understanding that the
clubs must be of mcjor league caliber-
don't care to invest money III the
semi-pro held or to become affiliated
with a minor organization.
When earn club put up , certified
check for $25,00O / offered a resolution
that the money should be forfeited D.
the club owner that failed to spend
so, 600 for paying talent and Il was car
ried by a unanimous vote"
There is no truth in the story that
each Federal League club has agreed
to forfeit S25,C0O IL each owner fails to
pay $4,000 for FIVE major league play
ers." says President Gilmore. No such