Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-24
Association Record.
SOME FUN AHEAD.
Conflicting Opinions About the League
Graded Salary Plan.

Conflicting Opinions About the League
Graded Salary Plan.
Without doubt the controversy between the
National League and the Players Brotherhood
is the leading question in the baseball world
to-day. Magnates and cranks alike are making
it the theme for every word of conversation,
and the general opinion seems to be that We
are on the eve of few big changes. The fact
remains, however, that had the discussion
which is being INDUCED in just now taken
place when the League was adopting the classl-
fication matters would have been greatly diff
ferent.
However. the discussion of the question has
become general, and it is almost as exciting as
it is general Ed Hanlon, who is one of the
players who have to meet the magnates, was
spoken to regarding the matter last evening"
He said: Il really am not in a position to say
anything definite about the matter / expect
to know tomorrow where the proposed meet
ing is to be held. All that we can do, pre-
sumo, is TO state clearly what we want and
then exchange opinions on the question. 1
suppose that the magnates will return to the
League and report as to what we want and
suggest what we should have. We will also
report to the Brotherhood, and then future
conference with the League will probably de-
termine how far that organization intends to
60 with u.s."
NOT READY TO TALK.
The officials of the local club are not disposed
to express themselves definitely on the ques-
ton Just now but 1t is certainty that the local
club intends to hold out for the classification
rule. A ball player in a position to know
whereof he speaks. said last evening: THE
Brotherhoods demands will be discussed by
the League and Brotherhood committee at
Chicago next week. The demands are: /. Abo-
lition of classification and reimbursement for
all loss by its operation covered by contract.
2 No reservation for a salary less than previous
year. 8 Absolute abolition of the practice of
selling players. If no agreement is reached a
strike may come. 1t may seem blufing when
we talk about strike, but we mean it. OF
course, 1 don't mean that strike will take
place this season. We cannot well do that but
when the season is ended we mean to insist
upon some important changes. 1t may be that
q majority Of the Presidents will want to Ietain
the obnoxious rule, but we mean to try and
have it abolished"
The Presidents of the various clubs have de-
clared themselves on the subject Washing
ton, whose team arrived in this city last even
ing, wants the rule to stand unaltered. Presi-
dent Hewitt's opinion is to the following ef-
feet:
He says there are five members of the League
who favor the equal division of the gate re-
ceipts, and only one vote is needed to carry the
point. If such modification in the rules can
be effected be will be willing to abolish the
classification rule and make his own terms with
his players. MIR. Hewitt says he believes the
day is not far distant when there will be gen.
eral demand for an equal division of the re.
ceipts He says the attendance at Capital
Park SO far this season, has exceeded that at
Staten Island. In Philadelphia a club has to
draw about 2 400 people to get more than the
guarantee. The grand stand there is the most
profitable part of the Philadelphia enterprise
People there kick about paying so cents to 60
in at the gate, yet the majority of them put up
an additional 25 cents TO get into the grand
stand. This Of course operates to the disad-
vantage of the visiting clutG All of these
matters have to be considered in connection
with the classification rule, in the interest of
promoting meritorious players and giving them
reasonable compensation for their services
Mr. Hewitt insists that the life and elevation
of the game demands the continuance of the
classification rule or similar provision.
Boston is likely to be in favor of a change in
the rule but President Soden is confident that
there will be no strike. He is also willing TO
have the classification rule abolished, and he is
also in favor of doing away with the sale of
players.
Indianapolis does not want any change, Phil
adelphia is also in favor of classification and
so is Cleveland. 1t is probable, however, that
Chicago will be opposed to it. President Day,
of the New York club, made the following sig
niicant statement to New York reporter on
Friday:
WHAT Mr.. DAY SAYS.
Were you correctly reported when it was
asserted that you favored division Of the gate
receipts?" asked
Mot at ALL" was Mr.. Days reply. 81 said 1
wasn't looking for it. lido not believe in such
division Neither do 1 believe in one club
giving another club a percentage to keep it 60
ing We give and take q per cent now, and
that is enough. This question of salary is one
entirely between club and its players am,
therefore, opposed to classification in its pres
eut form. At the same Zine / am willing TO
vote for any modi1 cation of it that can be made
operative. think club should be allowed to
pay It's players what it chooses to pay them. If
a club can only afford TO pay $780, 000 let il keep
its salary list within that figure. If it cannot
afford to keep its end up in the League. let it
get out and get into League where it can make
things pay.
81 am not in favor of abolishing the trading
and selling of players because think an occa-
sional change about by the players is good for
baseball One thing am sure of-they cannot
run successful baseball clubs on a system.
That is why am opposed to the millennium
plan. 1t would kill baseball by rObbing it of all
ambition and competition, which makes the
game what it is"
Altogether it seems safe to say that there is
lively time ahead before the matter is set