Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-03

incidentally, the report that Finley
Shepard, the husband of Helen Could
was the hacker of the Fed venture III
New York was denied by that gentle
man. who declares he has no intention
of investing penny in any base ball
proposition.
A lot OF reports probably will be
spread by the Feds this winter. but un-
til something more substantial thah
talk is presented there is nothing GER
tain about the independents carrying
out their threat to invade Manhattan
Island.
After having received permission
from Connie Mack to negotiate with
Frank Baker. Bill Donovan and Capt.
Huston went to see the famous slug
ger. but soon found that Bakers idea
of his value to ball club is far be-
yond what any club VIII play him.
This probably means that Baker VIII
remain in that independent league LOT
another season. for his contract win
the Philadelphia club does not expire
until the end of the season of 1916,
which would prevent him from Jump
ing to the Feds until season a1ler next.
In the meantime Baker is very apt to
lose his prowesS as a ball player. for
he will not be playing in the company
which will give him the right sort of
practice 1t would therefore not be at
all surprising if after virtually being
out of the game for two seasons BAKER
should deteriorate to such an extent
as to render him unable to I'LL major
league berth.
There is no chance for the New York
club paying the exorbitant salary which
Baker demands In the first place, II
remains to be shown that Baker is still
Mack's team. Baker is no longer a
|youngster, and the fact that he did not
nlay in a. real league last season may
have caused him to go back consid-
era bly,.
James McGill, owner of the Indian
apolis team of the American Assocla-
ton and the Denver club of the West
ern League, is anxious to break INTO
ma Tor league base ball, and has offered
10 purchase either one of the st. Louis
clubs. though so far as known neither
the Brtttons nor Robert Lee Hedges
has shown any disposition to sell.
iris Speaker and Owner Joe Lannin
have not vet come to terms for next
season. Speakers contract. which
called for $4,000 year for two years.
has expired, and there is new agree
ment to be signed. 1t Is understood
that Lannin does not propose to pay
Speaker the same salary he drew dur
Ing the past two seasons, and iris IS
sa id to be just as obstinate IN refusing
ANYTHING else, and may demand an ad-
vance. But it is believed that the two
will get together in due time, though
Speaker is apt to get some offerS from
the Feds. There was report current
that Speaker was to be traded, but
Lannin denies this, and insists that
Speaker will be a member OF the world
champions next season.
That Jim Gaffney, owner of the
Braves, is on good terms with the
Federal League promoters is once more
indicated by the report that the con-
tract for building the proposed new
stands In New York, will be given to
Gaffney, who is a contractor, and who
erected the Boston Braves field last
season.
This contract would be sure to net
Gaffney quite sum and naturally it
would assure his standing with the
Feds for all time to come.
Freddie Welsh and Charley White
having signed to meet in twenty
round bout for the lightweight cham