Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1916 — MILLIONS INVESTED IN GAME [ARTICLE]

MILLIONS INVESTED IN GAME

Secretary Farrell Estimates $34,000,000 Paid Out In Baseball—Players Get Big Slice. Approximately $34,000,000 is the total sum paid out or invested in baseball in this country the last year. This estimate is based on figures of Secretary John H. Farrell of the Natlonal Association of minor league clubs, combined with estimates of major league expenses. This sum Includes $20,000,000 paid out by organized ball for players, salaries and operating expenses; $13,000,000 invested in Daseball plants, and $1,000,000 paid out by the Federals for players and salaries. The ball players, big and little, shook down the club owners for over $7,000,000 in salaries, and it cost nearly $2,000,000 more to provide meals, sleeping accommodations, railroad fare, etc., for the diamond artists. There are 200 players in each of the three big leagues, each drawing an average salary of $3,00(1, according to the “figgering" person. Anyone who multiplies 600 ball players by $3,000 will discover that the total is $1,800,000. In the minors—all the minors under the protection of the National commission —there were 5,500 players in 1915.; The average salary for the gang was SI,OOO, which means that the bushers draw down $5,500,000 in salaries. This, added to $1,800,000 ppld the major . leagners,... brings tha salary total to $7,300,000.