Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-22
WORKFOR SCOUTS
SLOW THIS YEAR?
Ii Miners Fail TO Operate viii Mean
Passing OF Many Ivory
Hunters.
NO CONTRACTS ARE RENEWED
Receive Immense Salaries During Sea.
son and Expenses Amount to
Large sum.

Chicago, Jan. 22-Unless the minor
league shows signs of life before the
season starts one baseball industry
will be wiped off the slate this year
scouting. This will mean a saving to-
the major league ball clubs of at least
100000 There is not club in the
country which has renewed its con-
tract with a real, high priced scout
this season, and even those of lesser
pay have been released.
The release of Jimmy Sheckard by
the Cupbs, as announced in the Her
aid Thursday, shows in what direc-
ton the breezes blow. There is no
club in the country which needs a
scout more than does the Cubs, but
President Weeghman apparently has
figured that there is no use for base
ball sleuth with the minor leagues of
the map.
Should there be a revival among the
minors the scouts will again come into
their own, except that there will be
fewer of them. In this connection 1t
is known that President Weeghman
has had his eye on Dick Kinsella, who
Is regarded as not only the dean among
the craft, but also one of the most cap
able.
Kinsella has for years been scouting
for the Giants and has picked up
some of McGraw's best players. he
also has record Of not having paid
much more than the draft price for
any of his pick-ups. 1t was Kinsella
who discovered Larry Doyle and Pete
kilduff among scores OF other veterans
and corners.
Weeghman had a conference with
Kinsella at the National Association
meeting at Louisville, and should the
scout industry be revived Dick may
have the opportunity of listening to a
fattering offer kinsella has an
nounced his retirement from the game
but he would not be likely to turn
down Chicago offer.
Joe Kelley of the Yankees may be
one of the few to keep his job. Joe is
highly thought of by both Colonel Rup'
pert and Captain Huston. He is one
of the high-priced men in the game
but that will not stand in the way
The Yankees are out to build UP q
team, and even if Joe has to confine
and amateurs he is likely to be on thu
job.
President Comiskey of the Sox ha:
no regular scout. Ted Sullivan ha:
been acting in that capacity for years
but the veteran does not like the title
and insists on travelling around thu
country just for the pleasure Of look
ing up talent for the Old Roman
Comiskey, in the main, depends on hi!
friends throughout the country to keel
him posted, and it is on record tina
the system has worked.
Both Boston teams have expensive
scouts Hugh Duffy, the former Whit
SoX manager, has been doing thu
rounds for tthe Braves, while severa
have been kept busy by the Red SOX
1t is claimed that Charles Ebbets o
Brooklyn depends on his travelling mel
friends. He did once to his sorrow, a.
one Of them discovered lack Wheat
whom Ebbets claimed eventually cos
him $105, 900
Cincinnati has always had two scout
in service. The St. Louis Browns hav,
been equally we'll supplied. Barne.
Dreyfuss Of Pittsburgh has half
dozen looking out for him, but, lik
Comishey, Barney depends on friendl.
tips more than anything else. Comm,
Mack keeps in touch with colleges an,
prep schools more than any othe
owner in the business and he has hat
great luck along this line.
Expenses Heavy.
Some princely salaries are some
times paid to scouts and their ex
penses are heavy. The pay of on
scout reached close to $1,000. Thi
was paid by an eastern team, and tn
owner figured that it was cheap a
that, considering the service rendered
Now most OF these gumshoe trailer
will have to go back to work.