The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-13
B|SLAND STRICTLY IN BAD AS RESULT OF BREAK ON SALARY If He Proves Claims He is Liable to a Fine and
 Suspension
 ssT MATTER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DROP Baugh Will Not Act Hastily But Will Hit Hard When Ready-Thinks Frank Is Personally
 Innocent
By JACK BETHEA

Southern league magnates will be warned, solemnly and earnestly, at the coming league meeting to be held in Atlanta February 26 that no violations of the salary limit must be made. President Baugh made this plain yes terday in discussing the Bisland case which at present is presenting rather ugly aspects. It is & pity that the Southern league cannot start sea- son without bad taste in the mouth, but it seems that if it isn't one thing it is another.
 Incidentally, President Baugh does not intend to permit the Bisland mat ter to drop, although he is not going into it hastily. He will demand proof, absolute and irrefutable, and when he has this proof, and it is doubtful if 1t can be furnished him, his action will be swift and decisive.
 BISLAND IS IN BAD
 There is point about the Bisland case which the scribcs who have am alyzed it have overlooked. The ex- Cracker star has gotten himself dis tinctly in bad whether he is able to back up his assertions or not. Writers have been busily considering what would happen to Atlanta should the facts prove as Bisland has given them it would be we'll for the short fielder to pause and cast up his own position in the matter, for the president of the league has his eye upon him, and it Is not an approving orb.
 'The law in the case" said Mr. Baugh, provides not only for heavy p1u h1It for lining and indefinite suspension of the player as well. Bisland has gotten him. self into pickle, and if he can prove his allegations may find himself in distinctly awkward position. I could not, under the law, impose a penalty on club and not carry out the full direction of the law, and permit the player to escape"
 So when Bisland is fully acquainted with the circumstances he may not care to present his proof that the At- lanta club paid him $350 for his serv- ices during the season of 1915 when his contract sworn to by himself as correct, called for but $250.
 He will be given an opportunity to do so, however. President Baugh in answer to letter from O. E. Andrews of the Chattanooga club, has set the legal wheels of the league in motion and intends to probe the matter to
 
 T shall not act hastily in the mat ter" said Mir Baugh. 'I shall require the facts l want it proved to my satis- faction that the allegations of Bsland are correct. When this is done, some body is going to suffer. Such things will not be tolerated in this league while l am at the head of''
 MT. Baugh then set forth his state ment of what is brewing in the Bisland case.
 THE CASE AS IT IS
 Let me first put the case before you in its entirety" he said. Waivers were asked on Bisland by the Atlanta club and Chattanooga secured him for $4oc with the understanding that his contract called for $250 per month. MT. Andrews sent Bisland a contract calling for s250 and the player returned it with the information that he wouldn't under any circumstances sign at that figure, as he had received SS5U S-om Atlanta last year. He declared that he could prove this statement
 "Mr. Andrews then wrote me asking me to assist him in getting back from the Atlanta club the s400 which he paid for the player, claiming that he had been misled into purchasing a man he could not carry with the present salary limit.
 T wrote MT. Andrews in reply. ask ing him for proof of his assertion. Risland says he can make affidavitr that he received the money on the side He must make these affidavits.
 T will require, however, more than the unsupported statement of one man before I conclude the Atlanta club has been guilty of something which base ball law prohibits. I must be shown not only that he received the money but that he received the money from the Atlanta club and under what cir cumstances. man in New York might have paid it to him. I must be shown definitely and specifically.
 WILL BE PUSHED
 "Then will come the tune to consider what will be done As you doubtless know, the constitution of the league provides for penalty of $500 for the violation of the salary limit. There is also provision for the fining and sus- pension of the player as we'll, and 1t may be that Bisland will find himself in an unenviable position
 Rest assured that this matter will not be allowed to drop. If there has been violation of the law someone must suffer for it. I hope that the inno- cent will not be the ones to feel the castigation of the scourge
 Personally, l think MT. Frank is en- tireiy guiltless of any connection with the affair. When he took over control of the club early in the winter he wrote me and asked me for list ot his players, observing that he did not even know the men whom he owned. do not see how he can have had any personal connection with the incident
 NOT AN INDIVIDUAL
 It must be noted, however. that the Bisland contract was made out ia the name of the Atlanta Baseball associa- tion and the Atlanta Baseball associa- ton is still holder of a franchise in the Southern league. The fact that this franchise had changed hands would not affect any action the league might take. The Atlanta Baseball as- sociation is not an individual but an association.
 If Frank secured the franchise and it was expressly stipulated that he was to be free of former entangle- ments. and supposing further that MT. Baugh should find it necessary to im-s pose a fine on the Atlanta club it would then be q matter for settlement between Frank and the men from whom he bought the club.
 Southern league club owners may rest assured, however. that Mir. Baugh will proceed cautiously. and that he will act wisely the writer would be the Ia ta Iauy