Evening star., 1917-11-02
base BALL TAXES
|MAY NET 100000
With 1917 Crowds EquaIed
Game Next Year Should
Give Big Sum to U. S.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.


Under the terms of the new revenue
law, which goes into effect today, pro-
fessional base ball next year will con-
tribute upward of S1.000.000 to the
United States Treasury, provided. OF
course, the attendance in 1918 nearly
approximates that of the season recent
ly ended. About half Of this sum will
be raised by the 10 per cent tax on ad-
mission fees and the additional 100000
should accrue from income tax on play
ers and owners.
It Is estimated that some 100000
spectators paid their way into the
parks in the course of the champion
ship races this year. and averaging the
paid admissions at SO cents each the
turnstiles recorded about SS.oo00oo
worth of tickets purchased. 1t is hg-
ured that with the same amount Of
business being done in 1918 Uncle Sans
strong box would benefit to the extent
Of approximately 100000. and If the
gross receipts from the world series
games are anywhere near the same ng.
ure next autumn an additional $4,000
should be derived from this source
Then from the minor leagues that are
able to operate next season and the
semi-pro and college games, patrons OF
which will be assessed under the law.
a sufficient amount of cash should be
turned in at the box offices to bring the
total up to the half million mark.
1t is estimated that with some 500
players under contract last year the
major league clubs paid out in salaries
roughly calculated the real estate
owned or controlled by the sixteen
clubs in the f1rst-rank organizations Is
worth 100000 SO that with the income
fov uv,1 thn fov yNft fte,} }v, rot Inn on
additional 100000 should accrue from
base ball aside from the cash con-
tributed by the fans from the 10 per
cent tax collected on admission tickets
at the gate.
Word comes from New York to the
effect that Ray Caldwell, Fritz Maisel
and Ray Fisher. the only remaining
members Of the old Yankee team. will
not start another season at the Polo
Grounds. being slated for disposal by
Miller Huggins, the new manager Of
the American Leagues representative
in the metropolis.
Higgins is reported to have arranged
meeting of the minor leagues in Louis
willie. November IL. to discuss plans he
has in mind to strengthen the team for
the next campaign. and these plans are
said to include deals for the three vet
Grams which will bring new playing
trio measured up to the standard ex-
pected Of them in the 1917 campaign,
and. although they are regarded as
being far from through as big league
performers. they have reached the
about the only thing that viii assure e
their showing the form they are cap
able of.
Caldwell is regarded as one of the
best pitchers in the game. but the
eight salary he was
drawing last season acted as q damper
on dickers for his services. and rival
managers also we're inclined to balk
at taking player who is 50 notorious
ly hard to manage.
Two years ago Maisel was regarded
as as one Of the coming stars Of the game:
That was when he was playing third
base. After being transferred to sec
ond Maisers work fell OFF, however,
and his much-vaunted speed this year
availed him nothing when his hitting
fell Off to .181.
Huggins may not get chance to
figure on Fisher in trade. as the
pitcher announced at the time he signed
his last three-year contract that he in
tended to retire when it expired and
open an Office in Vermont for the prac-
tice of law. which he has been studying
for the last few years.
Hugg1ns is said to be anxious to OBJ
tain an outfelder and backstop for
the trading material he has.
The report published a week ago to
the effect that President John K. Tener
Of the National League could continue
In the position for an indefinite period
II he so desired has been confirmed by
the announcement Of President Baker
of the Phillies that q committee con-
sisting Of himself and Presidents Hemp
stead and Ebbets Of the New York and
Brooklyn clubs was authorized by the
board OF directors Of the league at its
recent meeting to ask Tener to accept
reelection. that it did SO and that
Tener accepted. Baker says there was
not dissenting voice among the clubs
owners to the plan for having Tener
continue at the helm. all considering
that Tener proved himself to be the
right man for the ONCE at 4 critical
period of the leagues existence. The
same invitation was extended John
Heydler to continue as secretary treas
urer, and his election, with that Of
Tener, will merely be q matter of form
at the annual meatinY of tha leaRua