The Washington herald., 1918-01-23
HARPER SIGNS
new CONTRACT
-Southpaw to Be Given a
Bonus-Moguls Move
to Pittsburgh.

Southpaw Harry Harper yesterday
signed his 1913 contract with the Ma
tionals. The lansy Hackensack hurler
is the second of the Nationals to fall
in line. After a short conference with
Manager Griffith, Harper affixed his
signature to the new major league
agreement. Harper would not talk oil
the subject Of his contract, but did
state that he was wei satisfied with
the figures which were handed him
by the local club.
II is reported that Harper will work
on a bonus proposition this season, and
whatever cut he was given in his
salary can easily be made up by the
large bonus which the Old Fox is
handing out. providing Harper comes
through with a stated amount Of
victories.
The Hackensack hurlcr claims to be
in great shape and states that he be-
lone Of his career. Harper makes no
bones about plunging into the benedict
class and states that his bride will
accompany him here On mis- next visit.
Although it is known that the local
club is slicing the contract OF all the
players for this season. they are going
each of the boys one better by offer
ing a large bonus. IL will be renem-
bered that Doc Ayers worked on a
bonus contract last season. Although
the Doctor got of to a bad start he
came through with a rush at the end
of the season and received a pretty
fat purse.
The moguls OF the baseball world
deserted Washington early last night
having completed their business
with the Internal Revenue Office.
The American and National league
committees laid their plans for COL
lecting the tax this summer be-
fore Commissioner Roper. They
were compelled to make these sug-
gestions in writing. The revenue
office will start immediate action
upon this baseball problem and will
no doubt hand down rulings on the
same early next week.
Its Pittsburgh bound for the
schedule committee. Chairman Herr
mann. of the National Commission.
who is one of the members of the
schedule committee stated Monday
night that the schedules of the maj
or leagues would be made here yes
terday. but Barney Dreyfus, OF the
Pittsburgh club, who is another
member of this committee is con-
fined to his home with sickness
and found il impossible to answer
the call. The committee will get
down to some action today or to-
morrow in the Smokey City.
Wire dispatchs yesterday after
noon stated that Del Pratt, who has
been the apple of Griffs eyes for
quite a few years back has been
traded to the New York Yankees
along with the veteran southpaw
Eddie Plank. Huggins gave in ex-
change for these players. Pitchers
Shocker. and Cullop. Catcher Nuna-
maker and Infielders Gedeon and
MaiseL, along with a cash considera-
tion.
Pratt has always been rated upon
the stars Of the American League and
should help the Yankees considerably.
Though Pratt hit only .247 last season,
he normally is a 80 hitter. One of
the things greatly in his favor is that
he Is an athlete who is in the game
every day. and during his big league
career has been practically immune
from injury. He had a sprained ankle
last season, the first ailment to keep
him out of the game in his entire
baseball career. During the five pre-
vious years he missed few innings in
St Louis. The following figures show
what Pratt has accomplished in st.
T,0Tlis dTIripo his hiV league career