New-York tribune., 1918-02-23
Owner of Cubs
Still railino
Rogers Hornsbv
Hickey Arranges for Confab
With Weeghman-Mack
May Collect $4,000
By w. J. Macbeth

According to the latest dope from ~.
Windy City, Charles II. Wcegbms,
may yet have an opportunity to Shoo.
his bank roll against the title to cor.
vices Of Rogers Hornsby, star von,c
shor;stop Of the St. Louis Cardinals
The Mound City president, Brancb
Hickey, it is said, has arranged by lonp
distance telephone for conference
among himself, Jack Hendricks. man.
aser Of his club; Charles Weeghman
and Fred Mitchell. pilot Of the Cubs
In announcing Rickcy's petition for
conference, Weeghman declared en-.
phatically that Hornsby was the only
Card player who could possibly inter
es- him. In view OF the recent resent
nent the National League expressed
against Wceghman's alleged tamperinc
with the st. Louis sborts.op, Weerh-
man doubtless has some good reason
for intimating that Hornsby IS not be.
yoAd the reach of handsome cash
sum or a liberal cash sum and PLAYERS
Would BE Real Menace
The addition Of Hornsby would make
Of the Cubs a real menace. grantino
Chicago did not have to giye 10 too
much Of its seasoned talent Tor the
youngster. While St Louis needs
pitchers, it is not likely the club would
offer Hornsby IN straight exchange
Only one thing, the need OF money
would tempt St. Louis to part with a
popular idol. On cash proposition
Chicago would probably 70 further
than any rival for the services Of this
particular star
Those on the inside know that s..
Louis is not so we'll blessed iinancially
as might be desired. Indeed, in the
near future heavy payment will be
due. Hickey is trying TO squeeze more
juice out of the lemon in the early
weeks of the championship campaign
by cutting down his bleachcr spaces.
There are now at the Card nark some
10000 twobit spaces. These viii be
chopped TO 1000 or 1000, forcing the
sun worshippers into the 55-cent and
S5-cent sections. If Hornsby lands in
Chicago, therefore, it is likely to be
for the biggest cash price ever paid
for a player.
Nick Carter Cub pitcher, las signed
for the coming season. Fred Mitchell
intends to use this fellow regularly
until such time as Phil Douglas is IL
Tor hard work. The Cub pitching staff
should be strong all the way. Aloxaa-
der has not come TO terms. but ne VIII
IN good time. Already he is at Hot
Springs. Ark, engaged in preliminary
work. The bonus idea viii surely adj
just itself one way or another.
1t is said in Boston that the man
agement of the Red Sox has the option
of paying Connie Mack for The services
OF Stuffy McInnis either in cash OF
players. IN case Inc lean leader Of The
Athletics cannot agree with II. II. Fra
zee on suitable player exchange. the
owner OF the Hub team VII have to
fork over $4,000.
Eddie Collins has decided 70 remain
with the White Sox through the season
of 1918. Eddie IS IN tho ranks Of the
fourth class draft, but was thinking
seriously OF enlisting al once. He was
dissuaded by his VIE and young son.
sam Rice. the heavv hitting out
fielder Of Washington. handed Clark
Griffith q Dody jolt when he Joined the
navy recently. Rice IS natural 800
hitter. The Old Fox intends to assign
Merito Acosta, the Cuban, 20 the right
field patrol as Rice's successor.
The Western League hopes 20 be
able TO start tie season President
! Dickerson has called a meeting for next
week. when it Is hoped an cight-cub
circuit can be reestablished. with suit
able forfeits from the verious mem
berS