Evening journal., 1916-02-12
1916 B. B. ECONOMY
IS NOT YET Evident
MagnateS Vie Fight Pro-
moterS In Frenzied
Finance
10 EX-FEDS
COST $4,000

Following the peace agreement be-
tween the Federal league and or
ganized baseball it was stated by the
big league magnates that baseball sal
aries and expenses would be revised
downward. Players salaries were to
be reduced and their contracts issued
from year to year in place of the long
term agreements in vogue during the
conflict between organized baseball
and Independent interests.
1t was pointed out that the major
ity Of the clubs could not meet eX-
penses under the conditions existing
and that il would be necessary to cur
tail salaries, expenses. training trips
and in general bring to bear a modern
business efficiency system in order
thai professional baseball might be
placed on paying basis again. While
il is possible that the magnates may
be planning to inaugurate such a
system there certainly is no sign OF
such movement at the present time.
In the matter OF preparing for the
1916 baseball season, the magnates,
both old and new, appear to have
taken a leaf from the book of the
promoters OF the proposed Willard
Moran bout and entered the field Of
frenzed finance. In buying baseball
club stock. securing Federal league
stars and signing managers the sums
spent surpass all previous records
and il will require some very clever
retrenchment in the months to come
If the magnates expect TO reach the
financial plane outlined only a few
months ago.
Five clubs in the National and
American leagues alone have paid
more than $4,000 for the privilege
of assuming the top-heavy contracts
OF 10 Of the Federal league stars, If
credence can be placed in the sale
figures announced 10 the press In
addition TO PLAYING large sum foi
the requirement OF these players
the clubs are legally obligated
to continue the salaries agreed OF
between the former Federal leagu
magnates and their star players ant
these salaries are known to be eX
tremely high.
The average purchase price OF thesI
10 players is a trile over $4,000 anC
since il is certain that their average
yearly salary is at least $1,000 the
initial years outlay will be about
S175.000, as can be seen from the fol-
lowing list of players and their sale
price:
Kauff. o. T.. Nevr'York Nat. O.. $4,000
Rariden. c.. New York Nat. .. 10000
Anderson, D.. New York Nat 10000
Aagee, o. T.. New York Amer. 25,00(
Cullop. D.. New York Amer m 12.5O(
Gedeon. inf New York Amer 5000
Erickson D., Detroit Amer. 5,00C
Seaton. D.. Chicago Matt. 7,5Ol
Johnston, o. T.. Brooklyn Nat. $500
Rousch. o. T.. New York Nat. . $500
The big money has not been pai,
exclusively for Federal league stars
for retiring baseball magnates hav
sold their club stock for many time
what il cost them few years age
The sale Of the Chicago Cubs. Bos
ton Braves. ST. Louis Browns an
the New York Americans. brough
close TO 100000. which was NOR
than double what the previous own
crs paid for these clubs. Now Mana
ger George r. Stallings, Of the Bosto
Nationals. has just closed a five-yea
contract with that club at an annus
salary reported to be $4,000. Jus
where retrenchment and econom
come in is not apparent unless IN
magnates plaH to require the averas
big league player TO pay for the priv
ilege of playing on the team.