transcribed by Liz Stratton
Reds' Salary List Larger Than Ever.
Efforts Will Be Made
to Establish Limit After Next Season -
Plan of Minor Leagues
Probably Will Be Adopted.
Despite
the fact that there reigns peace in base ball, the salary list of the
Cincinnati
club for the coming season will be larger in 1905 than it ever has
been,
even in war times. The fact that Tom Walker, George Schlei and
Fred
Odwell will receive more than they received this year will more than
offset
the slight reductions that have been made in the war-time salaries of
some
of the players. Consequently the continuation of peace has no
financial
significance to the local management. According to figures to
hand,
the salary list of the Cincinnati club for next season will go above
$60,000,
a figure it has not quite reached in the past. To this must be
added
the salaries of the players who will be tried out in the spring and who
will develop into surplus material, and so draw salary for July a few
weeks
of the season. It is understood that other clubs in the National
league are having the same experience as the Cincinnati club. In
the matter of being unable to reduce the salary lists from season to
season,
and in consequence there is a movement on foot to have the National
league
establish legislation by which this can be done without embarrassing
the
individual clubs or compelling one club to take the initiative in the
matter
of making cuts. The matter undoubtedly will come up for
discussion
at the coming meeting of the National League, and it is expected that
some
action looking toward the abolishing of the big salary evil will be
taken,
to take effect after the season of 1905.
President Herrmann of the Cincinnati club is of the opinion that
salaries
are too high, and he will heartily favor any legislator looking toward
equalization of that important portion of the base ball business.
“I am in favor of establishing a salary limit, “ said Mr. Herrmann,
“but
not of the kind that formerly prevailed in the National league, when no
player was allowed to receive more than $2,000. I think the plan
of the minor leagues of limiting the amount of salary to be paid by
each
club every month in bulk is the proper thing, for under such
arrangement
the remuneration for high class players need not be limited, just so
that
the entire salary list comes within the limit fixed by the
league.
This is a matter that should be taken up by the National league as soon
as possible, for salaries undoubtedly are exorbitant. I look for
some action in that direction being taken when the National league
meets
next week.”
