Attempt to Save Chiefs Underway

‘Tax-Raising’ Group Formed At Wenatchee
WENATCHEE, Oct. 9 — Wenatchee’s sports fans, determined to keep Western International League baseball here, formed a “tax-raising” committee Thursday night to clear up the ball club’s most pressing obligations.
The ball club must pay $7,800 in state and federal excise taxes by Oct. 31 or face probable immediate dissolution of the franchise.
Paul Thomas, president of the community-owned Chiefs, said however, the tax payments would be mainly an attempt to keep the club going so that other obligations can be met.
“It isn’t likely that we can keep baseball here,” Thomas said, “but if we fold the team we want to bow out owing as few bills as, possible.”
He said the club’s debts have been reduced from $30,000 to $27,000, but added: “It is doubtful that we can keep asking fans for $15,000 to $20,000 each season to keep baseball alive, as we have done for the past several years.”
The debt total has been accumulated since fans took over the team before the start of the 1950 season. Thomas said players owned by the club are being offered for sale and that Eugene, Ore., reported to be interested in a WIL franchise, will be contacted in an attempt to sell the Wenatchee holdings.