The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-04

Chicago, H., Feb. 4.-Recent events have brought good cheer to the base ball fan. Alexander the Great, the Cubs ace in the hole for the next pen nant fight, has come to terms with Charley Weeghman on his bonus pro- position and several members of the White Sox thought to have been nab- bed in the draft, have sent in their signed contracts with optimistic in formation relative to the army ques- tionnaire. It looks like both Chicago teams will start the season with cred itable lineups, despite the 'ravages of the world war which has hit several other clubs pretty hard.
 Eddie Collins, high-priced infielder and a necessary cog in the Rowland machine, may not enlist, after all. Ed die expects to be in the Fourth Class for the draft, and won't be called for some time. He may go through the entire season without being called to the colors.
 Buck Weaver, Happy Felsch and Joe Benz have reported to Manager Rowland in Chicago and none of this trio will be called to war, according to present indications. Manager Row land also received letters from Chick Gandil, first baseman, and Ray Schalk, catcher. Neither will be call ed to the colors before next fall, ac- cording to the present dope.
 Byrd Lynn and Memo Leibold have sent in their signed contracts to play baseball for Charles A. Comiskey in 1918. Both are enthusiastic over the C., lieve the Sox will climb into the Worlds Series band wagon again in the fall.
 Not one word of complaint has em- anated from any of the present worlds champions over the plans for splitting the big melon. The Sox players are confident they will again win the American League and the worlds flags, but are willing the boys shall cut in on the proceeds. If, by chance, the Sox should finish in sec ond place and the wonderful team as- sembled by Harry Frazee should cop the pennant, still the Chicago players would participate in the profits. TroD- ably that line of reasoning has appeal ed strongly to these players, some of whom have distinct recollections of the years they finished second and third and got nothing.
 The White Sox outfie1d for next sea- son seems practically immune from the draft Happy Felsch is the only boy who might be nabbed and his go- ing would put a crimp in the pennant aspirations of the club for this fresh year. So far Hap seems to have es- capped. Yep, Hap is married and is proud of it. This fellow, who out speakered and out-cobbed Cobb last year in the fielding department, lead ing the outfielders of the majors in putouts, admitted last summer that he had taken unto himself a wife and that she was from dear old Milwau- kee.
 President Weeghman of the Cubs knew he mustn't dilly daily in the Al lexander case. He was cognizant of the fact that this great hurler is need ed to make the Cubs a pennant fac Itor. He also was well aware he had Iplenty of money for railroad expenses and bonus purposes. Therefore he boarded a rattler and sped Westward, arriving in Nebraska safely. The home state of Alexander had the honor of the Cubs executive presence for q day. Alexander had the pleasure of visiting with his new boss and talk ing cold turkey. When the visit was
 over everything had been arranged amicably. Alexander, if he escapes the
 draft, will play for the Cubs.
 The Cubs will pay Alexander his
 S12,0O year and have given him q
 bonus for agreeing to shift from the
 Phillies. No figure was mentioned but the lure was supposed to have
 been in the form of a s5,000 check Alex had held out for bonus Of $10,-
 900, which President Baker had re- l fused to take part out of the Phillies end of the cash price paid for this
 player, so it was up to Weeghmsn.
 Alexander will ask exemption from draft on the grounds of having de lpendents. He feels that he is needed