davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
BIG LEAGUE CLUBS SPENT
 S12O,OOO FOR FED PLAYERS
Magnates Not Living Up To Their Rule About
 Keeping Expenses Down.

New York, Feb. Swallowing the peace agreement between the Federal League and Organized Baseball it was stated by the big league magnates that baseball salaries and expenses would be revised downward. Players salar- ies were to be reduced and their con- tracts issued from year to year Tn place of the long term agreements in vogue during the conflict between or ganized and independent interests.
 It was pointed out that the majority of the clubs could not meet expenses under the conditions existing and that it would be necessary to curtai1 sal aries, expenses, training trips ana Tn general bring to bear a modern bus1- ness efficiency system in order that professional baseball might be placed on a paying basis again. While 1t IS possible that the magnates may be planning to inaugurate such a system there certainly is no sign of such a 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 frenzied finance. In buying baseball club stock, securing Federal League stars and signing managers the sums spent surpass all previous records and it will require some very clever re- trenchment in the months to come If the magnates expect to reachI the financial plane outlined only a few months ago.
 Five clubs in the National and American Leagues alone, have paid more than $12O,OOO for the privilege of assuming the top-heayy contracts of 10 of the Federal League stars, if credence can be placed in the sale figures announced to the press. In addition to paying large sums for the acouirement of these players, the clubs are legally obligated to con- tinue the salaries agreed on between the former Federal League magnates and their star players. and these sal aries are known to be extremely high
 The average purchase price of these
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
CLEVELAND MAY
 BE PURCHASED
 BY THE WARDS

New York, Feb. 3-Reports were revived yesterday that George Ward, president of the remains of the Brook feds; William Ward, oldest son of the late R. B. Ward, and a Cleveland cap- ita1ist, have put in a new bid for the Cleveland Indians. There have been rumors for some time in the Forest City that the Ward interests would take over their ball club.
 In the event that George Ward pur- chases the Cleveland holdings, John GanzeI most likely would be sent to Cleveland as manage with what is left of the Brookfeds. including the seven International League stars cap tured by ''Long John'' during the lat ter part of last season.
 George Ward denied that he con- templated buying the Cleveland club, A lot of things can happen in a life time, and do not know what the future will bring.'' ~
 From Wards remarks it would seem that he would not turn down an opportunity to buy a club at a req sonable> figure. George Ward is not opposed to Sunday ball playing, as was his brother, and by putting a, lit tie money and intelligent management behind the Cleveland club it could be developed into a first class money maker. Cleveland has only become a, very bad baseball town in recent years, when the teams became poorer and poorer.
 About five years ago Cleveland was considered one of the best towns in the American League. surely a far better money town than Detroit, Washington or St. Louis.
 John Ganze1 is the type of con structive manager who might be able to build up the Cleveland club, as he has had uncanny success in the Inter nationals. Year after year the cream of his teams would graduate to the majors, but he would be right back the next year prepared for another good stiff fight.
 Sinclair took over the four best players on the Brookfeds-K Ma gee, Cooper and George Anderson, and has disposed of the first two. Should Ward buy Cleveland, the best players Ganze1 i could take there from the Brooklyn club are F'alkenberg, who originally jumped frotn Cleveland, and Luque, Mccarthy, Hoelke, Nash. Lalonge, lWhiteman and Pick. the seven Internationals with whom Gan gel intended to build up a new club in Brooklyn.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
ANNIVERSARIES
 OF RING BATTLES

189s-Tom Tracy and Bob Doug lass fought eight-round draw at St. Louis. Both of those boys were we'll known in the old days when the vel terweight division was full of classy men. Douglass was 8 St. Louis lad, and after his good showing with Tracey at the Oriental theatre battle the Mound City fans expected won ders of him. Bob afterward fought Jack Wilkes in Louisville, and tQe knockout blow he received blasted his pugilistic career. Tracey was born in Australia, and was a foster brother of Dan Creedon, the famous middIeweignt. He came to America in 1893, and after knocking out Billy Gallagher he was matched with Joe Wa1cott in Boston. At the end of the 15 rounds the Australian had full 1y held his own against the black de- mon. He consented to continue the bout, and in the very next round Joe landed a knockout. After the St. Louis bout Tracey went to the coast and lost a 20-round contest with Kid Lavigne. He afterward settled down in Port land, Ore. a boxing instructor.
 1911-Wildcat Ferns knocked out Battling Casey in second round at OK 1ahoms. City.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
CONNECTICUT OFFICERS
 TO FIGHT FOR, GUARD

Washington, Feb. 3-Co1. Richard J. Goodman, First Connecticut In fantry, of Hartford; Col. Henry S. Dorsey, Connecticut Coast Artillery Corps, of New London, and Col. Charles F. McCabe, Second Connecti- cut Infantry, of West Cheshire, ar rived in Washington yesterday to at tend the hearings of them Hilary af- fairs committee.
 CoIoneIs Goodman said that Adju- tant-Genera1 George M. Cole had been detained in Bridgeport and would not be able to appear here before Thurs day. The Hartford colonel said that it was unlikely that any testimony would be presented by the Connecti- cut men before General Cole arrives or before they had had an opportunity to talk over the trend of today's hear ing.
 However" said Colonel Goodman ''the National Guard of Connecticut is practically unit in not wishing to be thrown overheard after years of work I personally am in favor of giving the Federal government control over the National Guard and think that the power is vested in Congress to do this. I think that this expresses the
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
GoIdE.
Reulbach Wants All
 Players To Agree To
 Discontinue Drinking

Ed Reulbach, formerly a star in the National League, but now consid- cred a pitcher who has gone back be- yond .n1ajor league class, has been att tracting some attention lately by proposition to incorporate among the rules of the Players Fraternity, of . which he is secretary, pledge of total abstinence from alcoholic drinks. Reubach outlined his hopes in an elaborate interview, but so far no great amount of enthusiasm has been shown over his white ribbon crusade and it. begins to appear that if he wants to hit the trail he will have to hit it alone.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
WINNING $II,45O MERE TRIPLE THAT
 WHITNEY FORGETS

New York. Feb. 3-Book through your pockets!
 This advice may prove worth while to you if you have happened to draw down a Pigl dividend or win a Der by Remember what happened to Henry Ford!
 Two years ago his share of a divi- dend was either $4.oOO,0OO or $t4,- ,O0O, ,O0O The stories differ as to the amount, but that is 1mmaterial. At any rate he received a check for the amount. He put the paper in poe ket of his trousers-and forgot all about it. His partner dug it. out of the discarded garment several months later.
 But you won't remember what hap pened to Harry Payne Whitney, for this is the first time the odd occur. renee has become known. On May last MT. Whitney S. Regret won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The purse was $11, 400. That was the least interesting feature of the victory. Regret, tunbeaten in her two years of racing was the first lilly to capture the Kentucky Derby in it's forty-one years To add to MT. Whitney's hap piness Regret defeated James Buffers Pebbles.
 The meeting at Churchill Downs ended May, 20 and a check for $11,45O was made out to MT. Whitney. Pause a minute, now, to consider what you would have done in that situation. wouldn't you have. hauled the joe key from the filly's back, climbed up yourself, ridden her right up to the treasurer of the New Louisville Joc- key club, made him give you the check for $11,45O and then raced over to the paying teller of the South Louisville Bank and asked him to cash it? And if the bank had been closed for the day, wouldn't you have camped on the front steps until it was opened the next morning?
 What do you say?
 Well, it does not make any differ ence what you would have done. The point is what did MT. Whitney do
 He forgot all about the money!
 The check was made out and sent to Mr. Whitney, and after a reason able time had elapsed the officials Of the South Louisville bank began to wonder whether they were going to hear anything more about it. It was suggested that the sentiment attach ed to the unusual victory of his lilly had induced him to retain the scrap of paper.
 But do not take the impression that the bank folk were indignant be- cause of MT. Whitney's failure to cash the check. So long as he held on to it the bank made money. The inter est on the amount is worth to them about $50 a month about $450 so far.
 A friend, hearing of this. te1ephon- l ed yesterday to MT. Whitney, who had [ just returned from the South.
 Regrets owner was mildly surpr1S- ed. He didn't know what had be- come of the check He thought that 1 as a matter of course, it had been deposited in his bank. But he inVes- tigated and found no clue to the pa per's whereabouts.
 Gn las Sf irh Whitney wrote the bank asking that the first check be cancelled and a stop-order regis tered against it, and that a duplicate be sent to him.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
Drain on German
 Factories Not So
 Great As Believed

Berlin, Feb. 3.-According to the records of the sick insurance office of Berlin it appears that the with drawals of workmen from employment in the shops and factories for war duty last year were far less numerous than had been generally believed. Especially was the reduction slight in the young est and the oldest classes of men sub ject to military duty. Thus work men between ' and 20 years old rep resented on January 1, 1915, 15.2 per cent. of all the names on the Iists but by October they had been re- duced only to 14.G per cent. The reduction for the class between Al and 45 years was from 8.s to 7.5 per cent. Even for all the classes sub ject to military duty the average re- duction for the nine months was only about per cent. It is a remarkable fact that even now the class of young men between 21 and 25 is larger than any other one in the shops and fac tories of Berlin, constituting 1855 per cent. of all the names listed
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
Edited by Wagner
IS NOT
 FREE AGENT IN
 BASEBALL LAW

Excelsior Springs, Mo, Feb. B. Kansas City is going to be in a major baseball league within two years, ac- cording to Ban Johnson, I|e.gdent of the American league, who is resting here. He said Kansas City wsts "a major league city right now" He thought it would fit into the new American league better than the sNa- tional, and intimated one of the St. Louis clubs might be involved in such a move.
 Discussing the future of Federal league players, President Johnson said George StovaH and Hal Chase never could return to the American league.
 There's no blacklist" said he, "but Stova1 and Chase are not the kind of men the American league wants
 A decision of the National Baseball Commission soon to be announced will be a shock to many a, Federal league ball player who now believes himself to be a free agent, MT. Johnson said.
 A number of former Federal league players, whose contracts have expired, have contended that they were free agents. Among the most famous of these players are Benny Kauff, re- gently bought by the New York Giants merly of the Newark FedeEaIs, who also is said to be slated for the Gi- ants.
 Kauff claims he is a, free agent, and alleges ne was not under contract last season, while Rourch, having served out his contract, claims he is free to dicker with any club that wants him.
 It is believed that Johnson was talk ing to such players, and that they will be told they must be good little boys and go wherever they are sent, wheth- CT their Federal league contracts have expired or not.
 The decision is in the case of Eddie Plank, pitcher, who appealed to the commission to be made a, free agent. Plank claimed his contract with the St. Louis FederaIs had expired and that when he had signed that con- tract all the American league and Ma him.
 ..An the clubs >f1ave not waived on Plank" said MT. Johnson Boston and Cincinnati in the National both claimed him, but that does not ahfect the case. Organtzed baseball will rec ognize the reserve clause of the Fed erals league. All players whose con tracts have expired are under reserve by their clubs, whether s- the Federal league or not. Hence Plank belong to St. Louis. '
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
TEAM STANDING.
JIMMY MURRAY SEEKS
 BOUT WITH M'AULIFFF

t The manager of Jimmy Murray is right after young McAuliffe, as shown
 by the following letter.
 Among the army of bantam and popular than Jimmy Murray, the combative Italian of this city. His style of milling is patterned after that of Terry McGovern, and there are no dull moments when he is in the ring.
 .'It is notable fact that Murray has fought all the best bantam and featherweights in his class, and that not one of them has ever decislVeIy lowered his colors. Murray has faced the vicious attacks of Kid Williams twice and came out of both battles ray and the crafty veteran, Frankie Burns, met with Jimmie winning all the three bouts by the concensus Of opinions of the local scribes
 Among the other prominent ban tams and feathers, Murray has won from. are as follows: Louisiana, K O. Joe O'Donnell, young Dtggins. Ed die O'Keefe, Jimmy Murphy, K O. Eggers, Dutch Brandt, Battling Lsahn, Terry Martin, Billy Bevins. Eddie Campl and Eddie Wallace
 Under the circumstances, Murray feels justified in asking for a long bout to a decision with the best men in his division. would like to match Murray with Young 1GcAUliffe for fifteen rounds at one hundred and twenty-four\ pounds, and you can rest assured that the Pride of Bridgeport will have to fight very hard to get a win over 8 boy like Murray
 'I doubt if McAuliffe will. consent to box Murray as he was offered g. match a few months ago with him at New Haven and absolutely refused to accept anay kind of proposition of fered to him by the promoter think the Pride of Bridgeport is afraid of Murray or else it is a case of cold feet. Let the so-called Bridge port wonder come out and figtt a real fighter. giving the fans Of hia city a real fight for their money."
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
lewis' Bridgeporters.
B. H. s. Five Loses
 To New Haven Outfit

The local High School Basketball Seam journeyed to New Haven last night and took a defeat by 24-21. The game was, perhaps, the fastest yet of the season. New Haven had the ad- vantage of knowing it's floor and this was a great help. The loss of Porter near the closing of the last half gave New Haven it's chance to get lead which the locals were unable to over come.
 Next Saturday the Red and Black will play Long HiII at Colonial hall taking 1t easy before they start the
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
SPORT TALK
HANDED OUT BY WAGNER

made vice president of the Boston Nationals. He owns quite a block of stock in the club.
 Ten players who were under con- tract to the Baltimore Federals have former employers can't take care of them. Manager Otto Knabe and Outfie1der Steve Evans, both former National 1eaguers, are two of the best known of the Baltimore outcasts.
 The Masked Marvel may break into baseball the coming season. The Gin cinnati club claims to have unearthed wonderful outfielder whose name fans will name him if he strikes out with the bases crowded.
 Ban Johnson says there's no black list in the American league but in the next breath he says Hal Chase and George Stova1l can't get jobs. In other words the landlord won't raise your rent but he wants $5 more every month.
 Lee F'oh1, the former Waterbury manager, will be out Of a job if John Ganze1 is named manager : of the Cleveland club. FohI madeFa a good showing as leader of the Cleveland outfit last year and was told he would be- given another chance this year.
 Owner Charles Ebbets of the Brook 1yn Nationals, says it costs $25O, ,OO0 a year to run a club in the big leagues The fans in Brooklyn have been pro- testing against the charge of $1 for front row seats in the grand stand and this produced the Ebbets' alibi
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03


  he nent He is wife and
  erou style came to him naturally
  oheslne
  m tne gymnasium he surprised Dad nvasco the rect 5% inches record in 1895 Mike
 
  for
  Olympic 75-l6 ches in 1914
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
BASEBALL BITS

Doe White, the former White Sox pitcher, it is reported, may manage the Denver club of the Western league next season. President Comiskey of the Chicago Americans gave White his release to manage the Venice club of the Pacific Coast league several sea sons ago In his day White was one of the best pitchers in the American league.
 Jimmy Archer of the Cubs is an other ball player who is fond of golf as a. pastime.
 With the Brown-Sloufed combina- ton as opposition to the Cardinals in St. Louis, Miller Huggins, the Cards peppery leader, admits that he has a hard row to hoe this season. A Hug gins is popular with the Mound City fans and writers, but if he makes a poor showing he'll soon lose his adher- ents. The St. Louis fans are of a most rapid sort and follow the winning club always.
 Manager Callahan of the Pirates be- lieves in the old adage thet two heads are better than one- Recently while in Pittsburgh Callahan called the newspaper men together and in formed them that he would be open to any suggestions they would have to make that might help to make the Pi- rates a winner. .~
 Magistrate McQuade will be a mem Der of the Giants party when the New Workers assemble at Marlin this spring to do their training. He is a, personal friend of McGraw and one of the Gi- ants best little rooters.
 The Philadelphia writers have not yet forgotten the poor batting of Me hoff in the worlds series games last fall. Some of them are on Niehoff's trail and hint that Pat Moran needs a second baseman who can hit Though he did not show his 10a1 form in the series with the Red Sox, the fact stands out that the former Red Leg played most creditable game during the National league race.
 Eddie Collins of the White Sox be- Heves that the Chicag- club is strong nant. He expects Joe Jackson to have a big year with the bat.
 Bert Shotten1 isn't worrying about his job. Shotten owns a large farm in southeastern Missouri and he says that if the St. Louis club owners decide to replace him this spring he will quit baseball for good and settle down to be a farmer.
 - George -Mullin, a former. pitcher on the Tigers staff, is said to be looking for 8 job as manager of the Fort Wayne club of the Central league.
 Mike Mitchell, the fo---oo CT Cincinnati outfielder, iE acting as a stakeholder at the New Orleans racing meet. Nit chelI is through with baseball for good and intends to devote the rest of his active life to the racing game.
 
 Reports from Vernon state that Ray Fisher of the Yankees is in excellent shape. Fisher keeps himself in trim all the time. During this winter Fish CT has done a lot of tramping about in the woods hunting. He has also worked out in a, gym"
 Dave Gregg, a brother of Vean Gregg, the Red Sox twirler, has signed to pitch for the Portland Pacific Coast league club. The Maps once gave him a trial, but he was sent back to the minors.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
Trade School Players
 Are Beaten By Go1dE:

Manager Berine's fast travelling GoIdE outfit showed under the Trade School lads at the Boys club last night by 3e to 6. The game was too one-sided to beN interesting, a, Go1dE man having the ball practically throughout the game.
 The ineffective playing of the Trade School five was no doubt due to their anMetysto leave Bridgeport at an early hour, owing to the snow storm,s the majority of the boys living out of town.
 The Terry brothers. through their dashing play. were largely instrument tai for the crushing defeat of the Trade School and while strangers in Bridgeport, are sure to win many friends through their clean and heady playing.
 Ely, the Trade School center, was hurt during the game and forced to retire. Mooney. of the Monarchs. was pressed into service, Baskell be- ing moved to centre with Mooney playing guard.
 The liffe-IlD:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
Burkett for Hartford.

BurkGft Tor Hartford.
 If the merger is allowed by the National association committee and Jim C1arkin gets the Hartford base ball franchise he will name Jesse Bur kett manager. Burkett managed the Worcester club for many years and is said to have made large profits there. He was a great batsTnan in the big league in his day. Burkett is noted for his mean disposition and he and Clarkfn ought to get along like a cou- pie of wolves.
 Becknan and WaIIuIn Fined
 + Capt. Beckman of the Blue Ribbons and Wa1l1un, who referees games at Colonial ha1ll, were fined S5 each for playing an exhibition game in the ter ritory of the North Hudson team of the Interstate league. Paterson on which three of the Ribbons play, is leading the Interstate league. The New York Nationals, who are the Brook lyn team in the league, have been go- ng so well lately that they have have Jumped from last place into the first division.
 The promoters who are handling Jess Willard are keeping the public guessing One man announces that Willard has been matched to fight Jack Dillon in New York and then an other one of WiIlard's handlers comes out with a story that the champion will be signed to meet Frank Moran. Tex Rickard and the local circus man, Sam McCracken. have increased their offer to $60.oo0 and Tom Jones, who claims to be Willard's only manager, says he is considering the offer.
 Former Governor Walsh has been
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
Bridgeport Rollers
 Defeat Hartford Team

Connie Lewis took his Bridgeport bowlers to Hartford last night and took the Capital City boys into camp after a, close contest. Lewis had a high single of 134 and Musante also rolled we'll The scores:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03
Good Games Tonight
 In Holy Name League

Holy Name basketball fans will see two good games tonight at St. Johns hall, Penn broke and Jane streets. The St. Charles and St. Mary's win min gle in the first game and the Sacred Hearts and St. Johns are to clash in the second. The St. Charles boys have been going we'll lately and so have the St. Johns. The lineup:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03

10 players is a trif1e over $12,OOO and since it is certain that their average yearly salary is at least s5,00O the initial years outlay will be about $175,000, as can be seen from the fol- lowing list of players and their sale
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03

USE LYFORD BROTHERS BU U/ UNION LABEL PANTS B E East Side and WeSs End Y