The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-22

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the National Base Ball league has issued
lengthy address TO the public. defining the
position Of that organization in the present
base ball controversy. The address glori-
fies the work of the National league for the
past fourteen years, setting forth at great
length how il has rescued the national game
from the slough of corruption and disgrace
into which il had fallen in professional
playing prior to 1876. II tells Of all the re-
forms the league has accomplished, and
how il has brought base ball 10 high
Standard how the salaries of players have
more than trebled, and higher
degree of skill been attained. Speak
ing of the causes of complaint, IL snys:
"Tbe reserve rule WIS adopted for the bene-
iii of the weaker clubs, ns check upon
others. and that these weaker clubs might
have the nucleus of n team for the next sea-
son. The system proving beneficial, the re-
serve list WIS increased. incidental 10 the
reservation arose releases for pucuniary
considerations, but, the address says. Eek
cept in cases of disbanding or retiring
clubs the right of a clubs claim has never
been transferred without the players CO.
operation and consent. In the exceptional
case of the disbandment or re-
tirement Of n league club, of which
complaint was made by the brotherhood
in 1857, a committee of players, after con
ference. we're obliged 10 admit that such in
voluntary transfer WIS absolutely essential
10 the welfare of the league"
The address calls attention 10 the fact
that the new players league has given the
extraordinary power" of transferring
PLAYERS with or without the consent of the
clubs disbaDdment to u central tribunal Of
sixteen directors, and snys IN view of these
fncts, tile use of the terms Slavery "sold
like sheep ETC., becomes absurd.
Az the annual meeting of the league in
1887, the brotherhood received recognition
on the statement of its representatives that
il was organized for benevolent purposes
and disayowing any intention 10 interfere
with the business affairs Of
the league. This contract has never been
violated by the league in letter or
spirit. Regarding the alleged "enor-
nous profits of the league clubs
the address says that during the last five
and only prosperous years the league has
known, there has been paid in cash divi-
dends 10 stockholders in the eight league
clubs less than $l50.00O, while during the
same time the league players have received
in salaries over million and half dollars.
The address says the brotherhood know
when they made a demand for a conference
tlllh hutliluti iutIt WIS NJ uIBtutl Ibf Tue
consideration Of their claims, and that the
league could not without a sacrifice of pc
cuniary and other interests convene its
clubs in midsummer. They decid-
ed OH the refusal 60 start an
organization of rival associations,
while receiving liberal salaries from their
employers. They secured the signatures of
numbers Of their brother players under the
false promise TINT they would only seeede
in the event Of the league refusing them
justice. and for some time after the publi-
cation of their conspiracy, Sept. Z, they and
their abettors denied there wins any founda-
tion for the story, and repeatedly pledged
their word that the league should have
chance. The address concludes, "From all
this that AN edifce built ON falsehoOd has
no moral foundation and must perish Of. it's
own weight. The league will aid its clubs
in the enforcement Of their contract rights
and will continue to do business as hereto
fore.
CHICAGO, Nov. 2l.-Fred pfeiffer, when
shown the address Of the National League
tonight, denied that there IN anything in
the brotherhood contract az alleged by the
league managers, compelling the transfer of
players from one club to another.
Fred Pfetler has secured the signatures
of Ryan, Farrell. Darling. Tency, Baldwin.
King, Dwyer, Bastian and Williams 10 play
in the Chicago brotherhood team next year.