The Washington times., 1914-01-30
MERITO ACOSTA Is
NOW A GRIFFMAN
Wee Cuban Outfelder Sp urns Offer From Federal
League and Signs Cont ract For Another Year
With ClimberS-Do ube- Header Seized
ued For Exh bition Series.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

speed king, who was added to the
Giant encourage during the National
League swapping carnival last month,
is not overjoyed with the contract
sent him by Secretary Foster. Usual
ly when a player is traded from the
Reds to the Giants he is as happy
with his New York contract as q
kiddy is with a new toy. but as Presi-
dent Hampstead recently remarked,
this is an unusual winter
Speedy Bob is very disappointed. He
had always heard they paid much big
ger money in Gotham than, the amount
filled in on his document. Bescher re-
Gently wrote Ito the Giants, and in his
office is Understanding his worth.
Whether Bob wants more here than he
got in Cincinnati is question, but that
he wants more than he has been Offered
is a certainty.
"Bescher, however, has not limited that
he will flop TO the Federals, though 1t
would be unusual IL the Feds have not
approached him. He wrote to Foster
that he will report for duty at Marlin,
but is not particular to sign at the fg-
ure offered him.
THE Giants probably will make an
effort to sign Bescher before the time,
as both leagues are taking no chances,
and the order is out to have all players
signed before the teams leave for Dixie.
1t would not be surprising If some one
would hop out from the Giant offices in
the near future TO London, Ohio, which
Bescher calls home, and sign him to a
three-year contract"
In coming to the defense of the pres
ent scheme of baseball, President Tener,
of the National League, had the follow
ing to say TO Philadelphia newspaper
men at the Pen and Pencil Club:
There is not the room for dissension
or discord in the game that there was
in 1890.
I'm the present so-called war less than
10 per cent of the real experts have left
their respective clubs, while in 1890 75
per cent Of the stars deserted.
ANY man or set of men can go into
baseball, but it is unfair to spread re-
ports of dissatisfaction or slave driving.
These men who are opposing organized
baseball should be honest enough to ad-
nit that they are in the game for the
money and should not spread improper
reports concerning conditions"
From Baltimore comes the following
special on the activities Of Feds in that
city:
Ned Hanlon went up in the air when
asked to confirm the story that Swa-
Gina, the star first-baseman of last
years Newarks, formerly of Pittsburgh;
Hank Simon, catcher of the Pirates last
season, and Catcher Jacklitsch, of the
Rochester team, had been secured py
been keeping the negotiations quiet and
did not relish what he evidently consid-
cred a premature announcement. Barr
ing an outfielder ''r two, the Baltimore
Feds can now put a complete team in
the field, and they have some spare
backstops and infielders who could I'LL
up in a pinch.
Simon was one Of the holdouts of the
Pirates. He refused TO sign at the sal
ary offered and Manager Clark knew he
was dickering with the independents.
Swacina was also q holdout for more
salary, but Manager Smith had declared
that he would not give into the first
sacker.
II was also learned today that Pitcher
Joe Finneran of the Phillies had signed
to play with the local Iederals, while
Chalmers, another hurler Of Red Doom s
team, is reported TO have accepted the
terms offered him by Manager Kna5e.
Following is a list of men who, il is
said, have put their autographs to con-
tracts furnished by the local club:
Simon. Pittsburgh, and Jacklitsch,
Rochester. catchcrs; Smith, Montreal;
Finneran and Chalmers, Phillies, pitch
eTs: SWaCina, Newark, first baseman.
Knabe, Phillies, second baseTnan: RInt
Walsh, Montreal, utility player; Kirk
patrick, BROOKLYN. infielder: Zinn. Rocn-
ester, and Doc Miller, Montreal. Benny
Meyers, Toronto, Outfeldcrs.