Evening star., 1917-12-23
GRIFFITH PREPARING
LIST OF CONTRACTS
Manager Getting in Touch
With Players Anent Signing
for Next Season.
EXPECTS NO DIFFICULTIES
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

Preparations for sending out
contracts to members of the
Washington club for the 1918
season now are occupying the at
tention of Manager Griffith, who
expects to be busy for the next
few days looking up the addresses
of his athletes and writing them
letters announcing his intention
of renewing the legal obligations
that bound them to the team last
season. 1t is unlikely any docu-
ments will be forwarded to play
ers for two or three weeks vet,
but it is legal requirement that
the club notify them by January l
of its willingness to enter into
agreement for retaining their
services. Griffith knows where
majority of his players are
spending the winter, but some OF
them have failed to apprise him
of their whereabouts, and he is
engaged now i'll trying to learn
where they may be reached by
letter.
Fear expressed in many quarters that
the present off season viii produce an NV
usually large number of hold-outs is not
shared by the local manager in SO far as
his players are concerned. knowledge
that the club owners generally would
adopt a policy of pairing salaries, inflated
out Of all proportion by the birth of the
Federal League. largely is responsible
for what apprehension exists regarding
the size of the regiment OF players that
win baik at the reduced terms to be Of
fered. Nearly all the long-term contracts
executed while Messrs. Sinclair. Gilmore
and Weeghman were worrying organized
base ball expired with the close of last
season. 1t is foregone conclusion that
these documents will be subjected to an
alum bath and the fact that the nation
now IL at war has brought about condi-
steps for retrenchment that also will af-
feet players who were not in position to
hold up their clubs for fabulous sums.
Il Is estimated that not more than
thirty players an tad have hcldover
major league contracts. The Yankees are
believed to head the list with five. Baker.
Pipp. Shawkey, Nunamaker and Gedeon
an holding documents having at least one
more year to run. Lusty walls from
al ftte NAtary f-f1lf
ON their envelopes may be expected as
usual: also the customary number of
threats about quitting the game if their
demands are not met. but with the pros
pect that many Of the minor leagues will
not open for business next year. thereby
throwing scores of athletes available for
big league service on the market, few of
the disgruntled ma jor leaguers are likely
to elect to remain idle rather than listen
20 reason regarding reductions in their
stipends-
1t was generally believed that all of
the four long-term contracts held by
Warrington players expired with the
close of the 1917 season. but it deyel-
ops that only those of Wa1tes Johnson.
Ray Morgan and Eddie Foster ran out.
Clyde -Miian's document win be in eff
feet for another year.
Manager Griffith does not make a
practice Of publicly discussing the
finances of the club or the salary ar
rangements he enters into with his
players. but he readily admitted yes
terday It would be necessary to ask
some OF his players to work for smaller
salaries than they have been receiving.
and said he had no doubt they would
be reasonable about 1t.
MY policy always has been to be
fair with my players. and they know
It" Grin said yesterday in discussing
his plans for sending out contracts
~Some Of the salaries paid last season
win have to be adjusted on a more
equitable basis. but I do not anticipate
any trouble on that score.
The Washington club does not in
tend to cut salaries right and left as
some of the newspapermen in other
cities have intimated that all clubs
would do. and there was no tacit un-
derstanding. much less definite agree
ment. at the league meeting in Chicago
for concerted action to this end. Play
ers whose work last season entities
them to more money next year will get
it. and those who failed to deliver in
proportion TO what they received may
expect reductions.
Before the first Of the year / will
have sent letters to all my players re-
gzrding signing for next season. and
as soon as an agreement IS reached
with them contracts will be mailed.
Some of the cases undoubtedly will en-
tail some discussion. but ] do not ex-
pect to have any difficulty in fixing
upon terms that viii be satisfactory
to all concerned"
Well defined reports are in circuia-
tion that a new base ball circuit will
take the field in the event that the
International League decides at its
meeting in February to close up shop
Tho proposed new circuit. which has
not yet been named. will include Jersey
City and Providence of territory recoe-
sized as belonging to the International
League. although the former city was
not member of Barrow,s organization
this year. and six cities which were il.
the Eastern League last season. Provi.
dence and Jersey City will take the
franchises of the Lawrence and Port.
land clubs which are ready to drop GU,
OF the Eastern circuit. which in addition
includes Bridgeport. New Haven, Hart.
ford. worcester. Springfield and New
London. -Four of the ecities-Providence
Jersey City. Bridgeport and New Hayer
will have Sunday base ball and IL i,
hoped by those who have the interes,
OF the project at heart that territoria
rights can be adjusted and the circ,,i,
given q class A ranking
Notwithstanding the recent evidence.
of lack of harmony between Presiden
Tener OF the National League and Pres
fdent Hermann of the CincinnaF clui,
the former has announced he will no
oppose the head of the Reds for re
election to the important office of chair