The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-03
KING COLE TO PLAY
WITH FRANK CHANGE
Former Cub Pitcher Rrpudiates
Federal League Contract
and Tells why.
COMES HERE WITH IRWIN
Farrcll's Lawyers Say Feds
Have No Chance to Get
an Injunction.
COMES HERE WITH IRWIN

King Cole has jumped the Federal
League and will pitch for the New York
Americans the coming season. Cole veri-
ned this statement by appearing at
President Farrels offices, ago Fifth
avenue. at 6 o'clock last evening. having
come direct from Chicago with the club =
scout. Arthur Irwin. Cole was induced
to sign a Chicago Fed contract several
weeks ago by Joe Tinker after he had
named salary terms which President
Farrell had accepted. Farrell, as an
nounced IN SUNDAYS SCN. had made up
his mind to appeal To the courts inasmuch
rs he had been advised by counsel that
the acceptance of Coles terms. with
documentary proof. would be recognized
a. a contract in the courts.
1t appears. however, that Cole realized
his mistake more than week ago. and
that he decided to rcpudiate the contract
with the Feds. which. he discovered. called
for salary less than the Feds had
promised TO pay him. Cole got a bunch
OF advance money from the Feds, which he
soon spent 1t IL understood that he noti-
fled President Ban Johnson that II he
could return this money he would return
10 organized baseball. When Tinker gave
out the list 81 players who. he said. would
wear Chicago Fed uniforms Coles name
was omitted The big pitcher learned
and for that reason his dissatisfaction in
creased.
When Scout irwin hustled into Chicago
on Sunday. therefore Cole met him on the
quiet and quickly agreed to pack his grip
and come to this city. Irwin and Col"
left Chicago without heinz seen and ar
rived here Yesterday afternoon. Farrell
sent word TO the reporters 10 meet Cole at
the clubs headquarters. where the King
went into details.
Cole said that his lawyer had advised
him that tire acceptance of his terms
which We're named on December % by
Farrell constituted a legal contract and
that he had come here TO tA the matter up.
He declared that the Federal League con-
tract he signed IN Chicago on December
80 did not contain 4 ten days notice OF
release clause. for he had made Weeghinan
strike II out. Hs added that he did not
know that there was reserve or option
clause in the contract. and that the salary
named therein was greater than the sum
c.yered by tn. New York Americans.
'I didn't tell the Federals was coming
here" remarked the big pitcher Il am
going 30 do what think is right. | am
our for the money and IL everything is
-. X. III sign with Mr.. Farrell to-mor-
row The Fedcrals are strong in Chicago.
They will start no matter what IL costs.
Tinker Is enthusiastic over the outlook.
Cole was closeted with Farrell and
irwin last night. after which u was be-
lieved that he would surely sign contract
to-day. He will remain here until Feb
ruary 10 when he will go 10 Hot Springs.
Ark.
The ACQUISITION of Cole will doubtless
add strength to Chances pitching staff.
cole, /, will he remembered pitched great
ball for the Cubs in 1910. The fol-
lowing year he fell or in his work and
in 1912 he was traded with Artle Hof-
man to the Pirates for Lcifield and Leach.
Cole did nothing 20 speak OF In Pitts
burg and Dreyfuss soon sent him TO Coz
lumbus Finding himself In the minors,
cole took q brace last year and pitched
in old time form for Columbus. In the
opinion OF many scouts he did better
work in the box than George McQulllan
OF tho same team. who was purchased by
the Pirates in midseason.
The Columbus club refused TO sell his
Peleas. Tor $4,000. which was offered
ny several major league clubs, and al
lowed him to go 70 the draft. believing
THAT possibly ne might not he taken away
Cole was drafted by the Nav York
Americans. however. for $500 and Presi-
dent Farrell at once received severa
$4,000 offers for him. but Chance, who
developed Cole in 1870 decided to hans
on. cole pitched in forty-sN games fol
Columbus last year. winning 90 and los
ing II. His percentage of victories was
$40 and he stood sixth in the list of win
ming bOXmen. He took part III 3fl ID IN
ings. his opponents going to the bat t.22'
times. scoring ia runs and making 2s'
hits. He issued us passes. struc1
out lA0 men and hit eleven batters. while
emily one wild pitch was charged agains
him. cole is a right handler. lie il
feet | inch tall and weighs 1870 pounds
In 1911 with the Cubs he won is game
and lost :. His best record was mad
in 1910, when he won 20 and lost 4. prac
tcally leading the National Leagu
pitchers.
Coles decision 10 leave the Federal
10 regs rded as another hard blow for tn
so-caled outlaws. His case differs from
that of killifer of the Philli.s and kirl.
patrick of the Brooklyns. who sicne
Federal contracts before negotiating wit
their old employers. Coles columbu
contract. which was purchased by Farrell
contained an option clause which IN
player recognized when he offered to sig
with the New Yorks for a certain sum be
fore he did business with Weeghnal
Tinker & Co.
Ii remains to be seen whether tn
Eederals will make an attempt to Il
Cole up in the courts. They have threa,
ened to enjoin kilifer. but AttOrney-Gen
eral John &. Bell OF Pennsylvania say
that the Philadelphia club had II prio
right to killifers services because of tn
option clause in last years contract. Far
rells lawyers say that Cole cannot b
restrained from MIA wing with the Chance