Wichita eagle., 1889-08-04
IN sssclauon, California a.agu. ana others

of about the same grade.
"Class to include associations whose draw
| ing powers would be about . per cent less
than claS A
"Clas C toincluda associations whose draw
ing powers would be about 50 per cent. less
than class A.
Glass D to be the lowest. including clubs
that cannot afford to pay over $50 or $50 per
month salaries.
Continue the present plan of protection
to minor leagues with the right to reserve
with the following notifications:
"Class D clubs to DO obligated not to pay
salaries aggregating over $500 per month,
and no individual player over $50 per month.
All players in this class subject TO requisition
from any club of higher class, on, say, one
weeks notice, upon payment of fixed bonus
of, say, $3.50, to be paid TO the club releasing
the player.
'Class c to pay salaries aggregating not
over 81 900 per month, and no individual
player to receive over 500 per month All
players in this class subject to requisition
from any club in higher class upon pay
ment Of bonus Of 500
"Class B to pay salaries aggregating not
over $500 per month, and no individual
player to receive over $3.50 per month All
players in this class subject to requisition
from clubs in Class A and the League and
American association upon the payment Of
bonus of 81 900.
"Class A to pay salaries aggregating not
over $4,000 per month, and no individual
player to receive over $500 per month. All
players in this class subject to requisition
only from League and American association
clubs upon the payment Of a bonus Of 81 800.
1.-THE League and American association to
continue their present reserve system. Modi
fy this classification salary limit by making
it non-operative on players whose habits are
exemplary and who shall have completed
service of three years il the League or Amer
lean association.
ITO discourage the present sales system in
the League and American association would
suggest tnat only one-half Of the bonus paid
for the release of player shall go to the club
releasing him, one-fourth to the player and
one-fourth to the League or Association of
which the releasing club Is member.
81 would recommend 9 board of appeals
sort of supreme court, as it were, to whom
could be referred for adjudication and settle
ment all disputes between associations and
tation of the playing rules and the consttu-
tions of the two leading associations, and all
points coming up under the national agree
ment, the decision of this court to be final
This court could consist of the president of
the League, president Of the American asso-
citation, and one other gentleman of repute
well versed in baseball matters and not con-
nected with any club. 1t is very evident that
the minor leagues require some governing
power to force them to live up to a necessary
salary limit, and l feel sure that they would
favor a plan that would make it obligatory
on them to release player upon receipt OF
fair bonus while now they hesitate about do
ing it on account Of adverse criticism. 1t
would also be substantial encouragement to
minor league players to do their best, with
the hope of being advanced into higher
class and increased salary.
Il merely offer these ideas as crude sug-
gestions, out Of which think can be evolved
a more comprehensive scheme for handling
professional baseball in America than the
plan we are now working under.
For the purpose of considering this and
other schemes that have been or may be sug-
gested, and for the purpose Of laying the
whole subject properly before the League
and American association at their next an
nual meetings, l would recommend that
new committee be appointed by the League,
or the scope of the committee recently ap-
pointed to consider the grievances of players
be enlarged, with instructions to invite
similar committee of the American associa-
ton, and one or more delegates from each of
the professional associations now working
under the national agreement, to confer with
the League committee few days previous to
the regular annual meetings, and consider
the whole subject. Out of such a conference
l feel sure some plan will be arranged that
will more fully meet the requirements of the
game and place professional baseball on a
more permanent business basis.
81 would suggest that you communicate
with the other League clubs and appoint a
committee for this purpose"
While Mr.. Spaldings plans may meet with
the approval of club managers, it is probable
that the players will offer strong opposition.
This man Spalding," said a prominent
player after reading the communication, sis
for himself all the time, and he cares little or
nothing for players. | consider the scheme
the beginning Of a movement to reduce sal
aries in the big and little associations. The
scheme to pay part of the bonus on sales TO
PLAYERS is a good one but it will hardly affect
Mr.. Spaldug, as he is about done selling now
that he has pocketed the cash in the Kelly,
Clarkson and Gore deals. New York Times