New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-10
PLAYERS Schemed Not to Resign and
Claim Immunity as Free Agents

authority. 1.-THE deal was fixed up sew
eral days ago in Chicago. where Mitch
ell spent several days with the board
of directors of the Cubs. George Stall
ings was in the Windy City, too, try
ing TO drive the best possible bargain
for the services of his handy man.
81 am not familiar with the inside
Of the deal, though | understand that
Boston is to be given valuable player.
Stallings asked for Outfeider Williams
at first. He was persuaded TO relent
bit. so as not 70 stand in the way of
his lieutenant's Advancement
at looked for long time as II Frank
Chance would return TO the Cubs. Ar
mour and Wrigley, influential stock
holders, for a long time seemed deter
mined to bring back the peerless leader.
But shortly before left home learned
on the very best authority that q com
promise had been made on Mitchell l
do not believe that Mitchell had signed
a contract at the time Of which ! speak.
And, OF course, there is always the
possibility Of slip-up before the pa
pers are signed. 1t Is about thou
sand TO one, though, that Mitchell is the
man."
Fred Mitchell Is we'll known to the
New York fans. He was member OF
the Yankees with Stallings in 1903 and
1910, serving as catcher in the tlrst city
championship series between the Yam
KEGS and the Giants in the latter year.
When Stallings took charge Of the
Braves he secured Mitchell as coach OF
battery men and scout. Much Of the
success of the Braves has been attrib-
uted TO MitchelPs skill.
Last spring Fred Mitchell coached
the Harvard baseball team. The Grim
son nine proved one of the very best
that university ever boosted, and just
before the opening of the 1915 season
il shut out the worlds champion Red
Sox by score OF 70 0.
Most Of the National League club
owners consulted have expressed the
opinion that the rules Of the worlds
series should be changed. Perhaps this
should be expected of a corporation
which has suffered such great humlia-
ton through the classics of recent
years. Tener's henchmen might even
= be pardoned for asking a set Of rules
that gave the National League entry o
handicap of a couple Of games ut the
very start.
/ But the concern In point Is the end
rather than means 70 the question Of
supremacy. The National League mag
mates. like those Of the American
League, feel that change in the con-
I duet of the series is essential 10 revive
former interest in the annual blue rib
bon of baseball.
/ Two of the members Of the National
/ Commission, August Hermann and
| John X. Tener, have spoken openly OF
the adyisability Of some manner Of re
| form. Mr.. Hermann advocates length
ening the tilt TO nine games, with .
/ lower admission. Mr.. Tener favors a
lower tax, but believes In the present
/ scheme OF maximum Of seven con
/ tests. Ban Johnson some time ago ex-
pressed himself in favor of popular
/ prices for the big event, With conse
/ quent reduction in the players share.
/ The worlds championship series,
therefore. Is likely TO Furnish an inter
/ csting subject OF debate for the Dig
meeting this week. Mr. Tener be
/ lieves that Chairman HERMANN
scheme to have the rank and file OF
/ players share according to the final
standings Of the clubs q good one
Whatever action is taken, II Is safe 10
say that the individual stakes In future
worlds series will not be 90 rich As In
the past