The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-07
RUPERT HOLDS
 TO S25,0OO BID ON D|MAGG|0
Balance More Important Than Money Says Multi-
 Millionaire Owner
By GEORGE KIRKSEY

AAAAgAAoA
 United Press Staff Correspondent) Copyright 1898, by United Press)
 New York, April 7.-(UP)-Joe DiMa1gio must accept the $25,000 offered to him by the New York Yankees or the games brightest young star will not play organized baseball this season. That's flat and final from Col. Jacob Ruppert, multi-millionaire owner of the Yankees.
 In an exclusive interview with the United Press Col. Ruppert issued this ultimatum:
 "The Yankees are all set to go without DiMaggio. He has my proposition and therell be no more negotiating-not even for one dol lar. He either accepts the $25, 5,000 contract or he does not play with the Yankees. I've made up my mind and I'm standing pat"
 The clock struck 11:30 as Col. Ruppert, nattily dressed in a grey double-breasted suit and inevitable blue polka dot tie, came into his private brewery office. He had been in the next room talking malt, hops and beer. He sat on the edge of his huge mahogany desk and glanced at a newspaper story from San Francisco that quoted DiMaggio as saying: I'm not satisfied, that's all. I think I'm worth more money and I want it."
 Words are cheap, aren't they?" said Col. Ruppert. T think $25,000 is all DiMaggio is entitled to and that is my final offer. DiMaggio is welcome to sign with the Yankees for that sum. If not the Yankees will get along without him."
 DiMaggio asked for $4O,0OO when he conferred with Col. Ruppert here January 21. There has been no communication since between the 70-year old multi-millionaire and the 23-year old center fielder from Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco.
 Col. Ruppert, who pays the high est salaries in baseball and is the sole owner of the $10,000,OOO Yankee organization, said that DiMaggio is the most stubborn young man" he's encountered in his entire baseball experience-and that includes the boisterous Babe Ruth who once talk ed his pay up to $80,0O0.
 T do not like the situation" con- tinued Col. Ruppert, "but will not make a move to sign DiMaggio. He must come to us. I do not like for people to say, Well, here is Rup- pert arguing with ball player over a few thousand dollars It isn't the money. It's the whole organization.
 You've got to keep balance. In two years with the Yankees DiMag- gio has done extremely well. I paid him 5000 the first season and $15,- 900 last season. His world series cuts for two years amounted to about $12,OOO. That's roughly $36,- 900. If he signs for $25, 900 and even If we don't get in the world series he will have collected $60,000 in round figures for three years. That's $20,000 a year. I should say he's WCA4 PdAO yOulA6 AAoA uo eAioSoC figures and on his way to financial independence"
 Asked if he would trade DiMaggio, Col. Ruppert replied, Never! He plays for the Yankees at the figure offered or he doesn't play"
 The man speaking has never backed down on his word since he came into baseball in 1915. He was instrumental in driving Ban John son out of baseball; he refused to budge one inch when his partner, the late Cap. Huston, wanted to fire Miller Higgins as manager; he backed Higgins to the limit when he suspended Ruth; he shelled out $l,- 250,000 to buy Cap Huston's share of the club when a disagreement arose over 8 trivial matter of the distribution of gate receipts from a tied world series game to certain charities; he built Yankee Stadium when owners of the Giants wouldn't give him long lease at the Polo Grounds.
 "The $40,000 he's asking is out of the question" reiterated the stocky, round-faced Colonel. T told him that in January and say it again"