The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-11
100000 EXPENDED
FIGHTING FEOERALS
THOSE ON INSIDE ASSERT THIS
is CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE
ALREADY INVESTED.

NEW YORK. March 10.-P. r.
Knox, writing in the New York Tele-
graph on the major league-outlaw
fight says:
1T has already cost organized base
ball in the neighborhood OF 100000
to repel the attacks OF the Federals.
And still the o. BIS insist that there
amt no such thing as a Federal
league. They must have been spend
ing the money just because they didn't
have anything else to do:with 1t, like
the piilanthropists they are.
This money has been spent In boost
ing salaries The stimulus has been so
great In this respect that 1t will be
several seasons before salaries become
normal again, even II the Federals fail
to get by in their efforts to horn In
on the preserves of the National and
American leagues. Most OF the play
ers who have signed with organized
baseball at increased stipends have
irsisted upon at least two-year con-
tract Some Of them have been sue
cessful In signing for longer.
To some II might appear that this
Is not good business. The Federals
have said that they intend to pursue
the policy established this winter In
bidding for players next winter For
this reason 1t appears that the players
would rather not be bound by con-
tract so that they might entertain pro-
posals from the outlaws.
Playing 1t Safe.
But the players look at Is In this
way. They have no assurances that
year II the independents fail bail
players realize that those who have
been signed for one year at greatly
Increased wages will have to stand for
"a cut And while the Feds. may
pull through with flying colors and
continue to live. and may even be ONE
more powerful than they now are. the
players are playing the game SAFE.
They want to make sure OF getting
big money for the next several
years without having to depend entire-
ly upon the tickle fortunes OF base
ball war that may or may not last.
The Federal league has been q great
thing for the players. 1t has enhanced
their value more than twenty-five per
cent since its inception, but t. It goes
broke there's going to be some tall
salary cutting by the club owners at
the first opportunity.
They like to meet the demands Of
the players just about as much al
they would like to jump off the Wool
worth building. At this time, of
course, there is nothing else for them
to do. If player is star and .sn-
signed it's cinch the Feds are going
to bid for him. and the old employer
mrst either better the raise or meet
it ut least. Since the Feds have been
talking in the thousands this has
me& mt quite q deal to organized baso~
ball
Tive hundred thousand dollars Is q
conservative estimate of what the club
owners have spent in increased sala-
ries. X certain prominent organized
baseball man in this city said that he
believed tina. the amount spent -
more than 100000. but he was figur-
ing on the minor leagues as well -
the majors.
City Is Deserted.
For the first time this winter The
city is practically cleaned of all base-
ball men other than those who live
here, The various camps were broken
up yesterday and the folk hied theme
selves away to their various destina~
tons A few stragglers remained be-
hind until last night They wanted
one more squirt at the electric lighta
along Broadway before hitting. the
trail.
John McGraw left with Mike" DOM
lin, "Jim" Thorpe, Larry Doyle,
Fred" Merkle and r. /. Cotter. the
new catcher, who comes from the
West with a great reputation.
McGraw said that he did not intend
to stop in Chicago. II am in a hurry
to get to Marlin and see how the toya
are doing in their spring training.
am late as 1t is. know they are In
good hands with Dick Kinsella on
the job, but, nevertheless. am anx-
ious to be there myself"
He would not make any predictions
regarding the Giants prospects in the
National league race this year. 'sWe
have chance to repeat he said. II
think the team will be as strong ~
1t was last season. II not stronger. ~
do not see why 1t shouldn't be strsEg-
er, All OF my players are youngsters
and there Is some time yet before the
craft should be dashed to pieces On
the rock OF age"