The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-30
CLUB WAS ALOSER
Western League Baseball Cost
Topeka 81, 900 This Year.
Doubtful If City Can Stand An
other Season.
few RAYS OF HOPE IN SKY
n Salary Limit Is Reduced To-
peka Will Stick 1t Out.
Wichita, Lincoln and Other
Cities Cry for Relief.

The season Of 1914 has been the most
disastr in baseball in Topeka. The
stock company owning the Western
League club and franchise claim 1t has
lost $1,000 This was brougt about by
the poor attendance prevailing at nome
and in all other towns on the circuit and
through the inability to sell players 10
the niger class organizations
These financial affairs bring about
doubtful baseball situation next year.
Some of the officers say they are I'M
willing to lose more money by another
year of baseball while others see
CLEAN of hope in the proposed reorgan-
iation of the baseball map. 1t IS gen.
orally believed that the basepaii Wal
will be ended before spring and that
rearrangement of the baseball PROPOSE
ton will be affected, placing the To-
peka club on a more sound basis.
Should these changes fail to ma
terialize the officers of the Topeka
Baseball association may dispose OF
their holdings. They will not do so I'M
less they find a bidder who will pay
good price for the players and fran
chise.
With the loss of the 1914 season the
local company has invested $4,000. The
stockholders can not afford to dispose
of such holdings unless they receive a
good price. They are unwilling to sell
at sacrifice. They would prefer to
hould the club and franchise in Topeka
but may not do so unless given some
encouragement.
Federal League Influence.
The action of the Federal league
will have much to do in determining
the future of baseball in Topeka. Or
ganized baseball, or at least the minor
leagues, want a peace agreement and
will insist upon the major leagues
making peace with the outlaws. But
there are other things be consid-
cred The Federals must be willing
to Join with organized baseball before
q peace pact can be made. 1t Is
feared that the F'ederals will not agree
to this until after they have obtained
enough players of ability to bring the
strength f their clubs up to major
league standing.
- Now Favor Short Schedule.
Even with no Encouragement, there
is CLEAN of hope in some proposed
changes in the Western league. John
Holland Of st. Joseph, Frank Isbell OF
Des Moines, Pa Rourke of Omaha and
Jimmie McGill of Denver claim that
they have been convinced that to
adopt another long schedule in the
Western league would be an unw1se
move nd they are low claiming to
be in favor Of q short schedule
These men were in favor OF short
schedule at this time last year and
changed soon after the first day of the
year.
The representatives of the Topeka,
Wichita, Sioux City and Lincoln clubs
also will favor a reduction of the salary
limit and enforcement Of the same. The
present salary limit is $500 per month
and no attempt is made to enforce II.
1t is now proposed that salary limit
ranging from s., 400 to $1,000 or perhaps
So, 900 be adopted and that it be rigidiy
enforced. The Topeka club could AFFORD
to remain in the league with salary
limit of this kind if it was enforced
and the officers would be able to get
through the season without marking
lot of figures on the red side OF the
ledger.
Practically all of the players who
were with the club when the season
closed, will return next season. the
officers of the stock company expect
to lose one man by the draft route and
probably another by purchase. Reisigl