Evening star., 1914-12-28
DECIDED TO 4ST|CK"
Eddie Cicotte's Loyalty Re-
Warded by Charley Comiskey.
COULD NOT SEE THE FEDS

| DETROIT. Mich, December 2S.-This
is the tale of the greedy man who got
nothing and the man who wasn't greedy
who got plenty. Inasmuch as few per-
sons are interested in a loser. his name
| will be withheld; the name of the man
who wasn't greedy will, of course. be
1 told.
I Last season there were a number of
players on the Chicago Americans who
believed they We're underpaid: who
| thought that by going into the Federal
League they could be dealing Charley
| Comiskey and organized ball double
wallop at points made famous by Jim
| Jeffries, Bob F'itzsimmons and other re-
! nowned knockers-out.
| In fact, flirting with the Federals was
common pastime with ball players last
| season.
There were three or four experts on
Comiskey's team who were the recipi-
| ents of f1attering offers from Gilmore
brigade: one of these experts didn't give
the Chicago team a chance to cover his
services. but served a ten-day notice and
turned double flip.
Another player-Eddie Cicotte. pitcher
ganized base ball without giving the
Chicago club a chance at bidding on his
services.
And herein rests the tale.
Characters in the Drama.
The setting: Office Of Chicago Ameri-
can League club.
Characters: James Callahan, manager:
Eddie Cicotte. pitcher; Charles Comiskey,
president.
The characters are named in the order
of their appearance.
Callahan (pacing the foor)-Well. Ci-
cote should be here by this time.
(Takes out watch. noting time0
Knock comes on door, Enter Ctcotte
Callahan-Right on time, eh, Eddie?
Cfcotte-That's me.
Callahan suppose you know what
1 want to see you about?
Cicotte (feigning surprise)-No. what's
up, Cal? Coin to trade me?
Callahan (vigorously)-No chance, Ed
die. no chance.
Cicotte-Well?
Callahan want to talk over Jour
contract. You know we're giving all
the players new contracts. What do
you think you're worth to US?
Cicotte (slowly)-The Feds" have
offered me $1,000 a season for three
years. But 1 don't want to go to them,
Cal I'm satisfied here and-well-how
about $4,000 a season for three years?
Callahan don't think we can pay
that, Eddie. But-Tll tell you what
we'll do. Wen give you $4,000 sea-
know your share of the city series
money and the other pickups will just
about bring you to the six-thousand-
dollar mark.
ought to be fair enough. 1 hadn't
thought Of that city series money.
Yeah-that's all right, Cal. I'll stick
Callahan-All right. Eddie. Sign
here.
We now hit couple of lines of
prose, leaving the drama for a minute.
Cicotte has signed and is preparing
to leave the Office. Then enters
Comiskey, his white hair nicely
smile hiding his features.
Callahan-Eddie has signed. chief.
Comiskey takes pitchers hand and
shakes it warmly.
comiskey|alad to hear you're going
Cicotte-I'm glad to stick. too.
Comiskey's hand goes in his pocket
and brings out a slip of paper-a slip
of paper popularly known in banking
circles as a check.
Comiskey presenting it-Here. Ed
die. Here's a little present for you.
Cicotte takes paper, defies hospitality
and the rule of not looking gift horse
The check is for $4,000.
thanks, Mr.. President. Thanks
didn't expect anything like this.
SonlSkey tpattlng S1cOtle on the
back)-You've earned it, Eddie. want
players on my club who are loyal to
Chicago and to me. You've proved
your stand.
Comiskey leaves. followed by Cicotte
Proving again that loyalty pays
Sometimes the returns are not immedi-
ate.
But
Well, Cicotte took that $4,000 and
wasted little time in making final
payment on a bit of Detroit property.
There's only one word left to write.
Here it is
Finis.