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Show LEAGUE DECIDES TO CUT SALARIES Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 29, The 1 salary limit, Jf not tho player limit, fl In the Southern, league Is certain to H be reduced noxt season following the I present disastrous financial season. I But one club, Birmingham, which 1 will easily cop the pennant, will make one cent this year, -while In practically all of the older towns, withy the possible exception of Atlanta At-lanta and Mobile, the stockholders will bo considerable loserfl. j Not only aro the clubs Individually having a poor season financially, but also the league, due to the miserable showing of the Atlanta and New Orleans Or-leans clubs, and hence their poor comparative attendance. These two towns, which are the largest in the circuit, with the exception of Birmingham, Birm-ingham, are falling far below their usual figure, and the coffers of the lenguo are suffering as tho result. President W, M. Kavanaugh was forced to cut his double umpiring staff to five men August 1, and -vhen he did finally return to the original number he was forced to send Billy Carpenter, the highest-pric-d arbiter, arbit-er, to the International league and recruit his staff with cheaper and less experienced men. The salary limit at present is $3,-500, $3,-500, with a player limit of sixteen men. In caso of player-managers one-half their monthly stipend ouly 1b counted In the limit. Next season it is doubtful If tho limit will run over $2,800. Charley Frank, the New Orleans mogul, who Ib agitating the i reductions, wants it as low as .$2,500, according to unofficial reports. It is not believed, however, that the pres- ' ent standard of ball could be maintained main-tained with so low a figuro unless so ' few men wero carried that one Injury In-jury would absolutely banish a team from all pennant chances. Blllv Smith, the former Buffalo manager, who is holding tho reins of the local club, is opposed to a reduction, and states that the poor attendance this year is due to the presidential election which is near-ing. near-ing. These years are always bad for amusements in his opinion. |