Query: 1913 "nickel"

[Gerald Cohen]

   Would anyone have any idea of the meaning of "nickel" in the quote
below? I draw a complete blank.
     The quote appears in the newspaper _San Francisco Bulletin_, Feb.
26, 1913, p.16/2; "Baseball Talk Heard in Sundry Leagues":

"Clark Griffith wants the lid lifted on sideline comedy in baseball.
Ban Johnson contends that nickel should provide an outlet for surplus
comedians such as those of the Washington club."

That's the entire item.
---Gerald Cohen