The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
LiDely Session Expected Al Nashville Meeting of Moguls
Question of Increasing Player and Salary Limit Is Most Import ant Issue-Baugh's Reelection in Doubt-Shrop-
 shire After the Job, Usual
By FRED BODEKER

When the Southern league magnate: | convene at Nashville on Friday for theil | annual confab, one of the liveliest ses sions in recent years is anticipated The directors, which number eight, have beer busy since the last December meeting vowing what they would do when they | camo together again and every fan ir the south will be watching with keen interest their action.
 failure to increase the salary or player limit will practically mean the ruin of baseball in the Southern league, in the opinion of many close followers of the game. The offering last season was poor, chiefly because of the low salary limit which few of the clubs obeyed. The attendance at Birmingham fell off mserably, while but few of the clubs made money.
 There is but little doubt that the sal ary limit will be raised. The only ques- tion is whether it will be placed at $360C or $32O0. or even compromised between these two figures. Birmingham, Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville. Memphis and Little Rock want a good limit, that is aDOQI 9O0UU IL IS d RIlOMu ldCI tiieat At lanta, New Orleans, Little Rock and Nashville want the full extent, but wheth- CT Birmingham and Memphis will fight for a lower figure is not known
 SMITH FAyORS RAISE
 President w. D. Smith of the Bir- mingham club favors an increase, but will not announce what figure he will fight for Mobile, as usual, will hold down +1.1 |, 1na tD tQ0t The Gulls are not able to support heavy expense. and, consequently, rath- CT than have the circuit broken the moguls always meet their wishes.
 But reports from Mobile this time are to the effect that Dr. Inge, the new president, will go to Nashville with ln- structions from the new association to fight for big salary limit. If Mobile comes out good and strong for an in- crease, then Southern league fans will witness better ball next season.
 Chattanooga's position on the issue is to compromise. It is understood the new club stands for a figure between the present, which is s2S0O, and s$S6Oo. The Lookout franchise has never been one to reap barrels of money, but at the same tirne, with minimum expenses, could pull through with colors flying.
 INCREASE FAVORABLE
 
 The logical thing to do, it seems from an outsiders viewpoint is to raise the salary limit to $3600 and the player limit to 16 men. The fans will think they are getting good ball then, whether they are or not. If the magnates disagree on the issue and finally adopt a limit but little larger than last season, then stock in the league is scheduled to slip down ward
 Another big issue is the president 5 election. Robert H. Baugh, the present boss, is slated for reelection, but poli- from the St. Louis Browns, Peterson from Pennsylvania and IIallman and Knight from independent baseball in Mississippi.
 Gault of the catchers comes rom Penn sylvania and Kennedy was last season with Welsville. N. Y. Both are strongly touted and one of them is expected to land
 Raley is the only new man appearing on the roster of infielders. He is a first baseman and halls from Pittsburg. He may be able to beat Tex Covington out of his job, but if he does we are all for him, for he will be wonder.
 Ard still President Allen is after play CTS. He has sent a contract to a third baseman. is still angling for a shortstop. and will add one or two outfielders later.
 This is not really stove league dope. It looks like too convincing argument to be denied, and it is now in order for all other teams to bow to the Travellers and ward than1 inc Dannant