Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-10

mates were in session, that Christian
W. Feigenspan, the local brewer was
negotiating for the purchase of the
Newark Baseball Club. The story
was told by one OF the magnates con-
nected with another club, who de-
clared that Mr.. Feigenspan was
ready to make the purchase. An ef-
fort was made this morning to locate
Mr.. Feigenspan. At his home it was
said that he was attending bank
ers' meeting and would not be avail
able until O'clock. This story jibes
with another story in circulation at
the meeting that the owners of the
Newark club had opened negotiations
with a wealthy Newark man.
o
This isn't the most propitious time
in the world to buy baseball hold
ings, but the man who can stand the
pressure now will live to see his
property increase In value many fold
in a few years to come. The year
before us is sure to be hard one
for the magnates, but the following
year Is likely to see the game back
in its own full swing. The day of
high salaries for bali plaers is near an
end, and 1t will be years and years
before the players will enjoy any such
harvest as they are at the present
time. The Federal League has added
to the players value but eventually
the OUTLAWS" will be the undoing of
the men. There Is such a condition
as too much of a good thing. That's
the way 1t is with the players at the
present time. Such good things
cannot last, because the men who
foot the bills cannot stand them.
The break will come and normal con-
ditions will prevail Then baseball
will come back into its own.
@
The International League is going
to have the struggle of its life TO get
by. Much will depend on what is
done in Newark, for Newark,
Rochester and Providence will have
to shoulder the bulk of the burden
during the season to come. If Mr..
Feigenspan or some other desirable
citizen were to secure control OF the
local club there would be an energetic
effort to rally to the support of the
team. AS things are, though, it will
be difficult to work up any en-
thusiasm. What is wanted first of
all is a new ball park in a more con-
venient location. That one move
would mean 25 per cent increase in
the attendance. Other improvements
could also be made. but the ball park
is the one big thing most desired.
c
President Barrow, of the 1nterna-
tional League, says he is against the
idea of a six-club league. the buga-
boo started by one of the "peeved"
owners to throw a scare into William
S. Devery, owner of the Jersey City
club, because he refused to sell his
holdings at what he considered an IN
reasonable price. The report that the
magnates were considering such
proposition was a big knock to the
league and the angels" from SYRIA
euse, who were after the Jersey City
club, and from Richmond, who we're
willing to buy the Baltimore club,
seemed to lose much of their enthu-
siasm when they heard the gossip.
The trouble is nobody seems to know
where he Is at in the International
League dilemma. President Barrow
admits he has no idea when the
affairs Of the league will become set
tied. The magnates are in session
again today, and something definite
and important may come at the ses-
sion.
o
One thing noticeable at the baseball
meetings In New York, players are
not in much demand, and. according
to all signs, they won't be in much
demand next season. So far not a
deal for a player has been put
through and not a manager has been
signed. No contracts have been sent
10 the players, and when it comes
time, report has 1t, the salaries OF
the men will be practically cut in two.
The talk is that each club will be
limited to fifteen players and that the
club salary will not be moro than
SO, 500 a month. This against a limit
of $4,000, which had been in vogue in
the International League two years
ago, but which was suspended last
year because of the Federal League
invasion. The limit to the salaries
will probbly mean that there will not
be any bench managers. In fact, the
hard times and the war times will
;ust about eliminate all the luxuries
in baseball.
The sale of the New York Yankees
to Colonel Rupert, the brewer, has
not been contaminated and the deal
may not go through at all. 1t is be-
lieved that Frank Farrell is not
anxious to sell, but Ban johnson in
sists that Mr.. Devery, who is the
principal owner, be eliminated from
the picture. Colonel Rupert would
be desirable purchaser, but there is
a. difference Of 100000 it IS said. be-
tween the bargain. Deyery hasn't
had much TO say in all the discus
sion, but his words seem to carry
much weight. He is not a man TO
run away from a fight, though for