Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-01
GROOM ADMITS
HE IS HOLD-0UT
Says He Will Not Sign Con-
tract Griffith Has Ten
dered Him.
HAS SEVERAL OFFERS
FROM FEDERAL LEAGUE
May Quit Game if He Cannot Get
Satisfactory Terms From
Local Club.
Special Dispatch 70 The Star.

Special Dispatch 70 The Star.
ST. LOUIS, January .,t.-Bob
Groom is not SO positive that he is
going TO reside in Washington.
D. G.. this summer and aid Clark
Griffith, Walter Johnson and other
members OF the Nationals in the
chase to finish ahead OF the .Ath,
letics.
Pitcher Bob is perfectly salts
ned with the climate in the east.
even faucies the scenery OF Wash
lngton. but he does not admire
the salary figures penned in the
contract received from Clark Girl
fifth.
And all OF this means that Bob
Groom is hold-out. Yes, he ad
mits it. and even adds that there
is mighty good chance OF him
becoming affiliated with the Fed
eral League
But in declaring himself a hold
out, Bob says he is not using the
Federal League to coax more sal
airy out OF the treasury OF the Ma
tionais. Going further in stating
his attitude toward Griffith.
Groom stated today that he may
announce his retirement from
base ball in the very near future.
It's this way: Groom and Dad
Groom are very prosperous coal
merchants in Belleville, Ill. Now.
Belleville isn't large enough to get
a prominent place on the u. S. a.
map, but the Grooms-dad and
son-have very prosperous bust
ness in Belleville, and that suits
Bob.
Has Prosperous Business.
Being major league ball player, Bob
has chain of acquaintances that
stretches from here TO the Pacific coast
Everybody in and around Belleville know
Bob, the result being that when the snow
and cold weather arrives business picks
up wonderfully. When Bob is in the
office attending to his work the orders
simply flow in.
But in the summer time. when Bob is
pitching for Grff and the Nationals,
business drops off wonderfully. Now that
is why Bob may remain at Bellevllle ana
a ..lln hN Mi
Concerning the Federal League, the
angle is this: Groom is in receipt of three
juicy offers from the invaders, but SO
far he has not affixed his signature to
a single piece of paper calling for work
IN the third league. This is because Ire
doesn't want to he a doube-crosser. SO
if he does sign with Gilmore ceGhlnan
tS Co. he wont turn Bill killifcr and
hop back, but will stick TO the Feds.
As for the Nationals. wei, Griff viii
have to raise the ante many notches.
The truth is. though. that uroom is
mighty pecved over in Bellevilie and the
only way the kinks can be ironed out is
for another contract to reach Bob's home
town.
Groom was informed by the cores
pondent of The Star that the fans IN
Washington We're worried about him.
Huh. SO they are. en-" related the lanky
pitcher. AS for the fans, they're all
right. They always gave ME fair deal.
but Griffith will have to come higher If
think I've jumped TO sfle Federal League,
Tell EN- not Yet. but if ! do. I won't
hop back TO the Nationals.
Wants Larger Pay.
It's mighty funny that it required tho
Federal League to prove my value to
the Washington ball club. / can't nm
derstand Griffith. He must think I'm q
minor league pitcher.
Il play fair cards with every body and
Griffith isn't dealing 'em right TO me.
I've received a bunch of kilograms from
him. but | don't even want To put him
to the expense of sending back messages
collect. He knows what l want / told
him long ago. and until he agrees to nv
proposition why I'll stick right hero in
Belleville.
I'm in base bah because it pays me.
If find out that 1 can make more money
in this business at home then I'll quit
base ball forever: even the Federal
League won't tempt me. IL it's base
ball for my occupation. then IL Griffith
~, r I