The Washington times., 1917-01-08
SalIee and Ritter Disobey FuItz
and Sign With Giants
for 1917.
REVOLT EXPECTED TO FLEE
Manager Griffith Piles Into Ac-
cumuIated Office Work
Right of Reel.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

The major leaguers, despite the alb
sence of orders from Dave Fultz, have
begun to send in their signed con-
tracts for 1917. The utter collapse Of
the attempted revolt Is thus seen
rapidly approaching.
Slim Sallee, the Giants southpaw,
wasted not q minute after receiving
his contract. He sat right down.
signed on the dotted line and rushed
IL back to the Giants Offices. Doing
so, he gave evidence that, when it
comes down to brass tacks, the ball
players are likely to leave Fultz
stranded high and dry.
Bert Shotton, the Brownies veteran
gardener, was the first player to pass
up the orders Of the fraternity leader.
Several weeks ago he attached his
name to q three-year contract It Is
probable, though, that he will have to
sign all ever again, as q new form
of contract has been adopted by the
big leagues.
Two Giants In Line.
Slim Saiee, being a veteran and not
20 certain Of clinging on, might be
excused, but for the fact that he very
probably has stood for q cut In salary.
He had jumped to the Federal League
and then back again to the Cardinals,
receiving an ironclad, wartime con-
tract for his action The Giants
merely assumed this st. Louis con-
tract
Racing Sallee to the office was Bill
Ritter. q rookie twirler. whose signed
contract has been received. Ritter
must stiIl earn q position on the New
York team, but he does not intend to
start with handicap. He has signed.
The wind seems to be blowing toward
the magnates and away from the ath-
letes. Dave Fultz has issued no orders.
but the players Just can't wait to get
into line.
Our League Strong.
The American League clubs cannot be
hit hard by any rebellion Of the play
ers. The Yankees have fifteen men now
under contract The Mackmen and the
Indians have never bean enthusiastic
over the fraternity and the White Sox
have little more
While. Manager Griffith has but three
four playeFa In line for the coming
campaign. John Henry. the local leader
OF the fraternity. met with much trouble
last season in obtaining dues from some
OF the payers. II IL quite possible that
the Washington club will string along
with the magnates rather than with
Fultx.
Few Of the Maekmen or the Indians
are even members Of the union and
those few in line are expected TO drop
out before the season Ii on.
GriR Busy Today.
This was Manager Grifnth's busy day.
Bright and early he was on the job.
getting his office Affairs into shipshape
condition. Much correspondence has
been pi;ing up for his attention now
and, that out Of the way, he will enter
upon a series Of long-distznce letter.
writing contests with his players.
Contracts for 1917 will begin to 60
out today. The Old Fox IL cheerful
about this matter. He expects to have
AL his boys ready for the spring hegira-
Wants To Retura-
Butch" Schmidt. who was first base
man for the Boston Braves until last
spring. when he decided to retire from
the diamond, Is becoming restless. He
wants to return to his old berth and
threatens to join the Braves at their
training camp In March. II he shows
any sort Of form during the practice
games Of the spring Ed Konetchy may
be sent to the outfeld.
Schmidt Is proprietor Of several butch
ershops in Baltimore and, when he re-
tired. was reported to be well fixed in
this worlds goods. Old H. C. Of L. may
have hit him between the eyes. though,
IL he now wants to quit cutting steaks
and chops TO take UP the task OF swing