Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-22
PHILADELPHIA. November 2l, 1889,
SPALDING'S TALK.
The League NTagnate Passes Through and
Scores the PIayers-He Thinks Teuer
IL All Right - The Legal
phaaaa Aruuad.


Scores the PIayers-He Thinks Teuer
is All Right - The Legal
Phases Argued.
A. G. Spalding one of the most prominent
of the League magnates, passed through the
city last evening en- route from Philadelphia to
Chicago. AS usual, Mr.. Spalding was extremely
frank and brimful of some very sensible opin-
ions on baseball matters.
During a conversation he expressed strong
hope that the Leagues address will have great
force with the intelligent public, and he also
stated that the old League would still remain
in the van.
"How many old players have contracted with
League clubs for next year?" was asked.
"Why, all of them. That surprises you. Be-
fore the commencement of last season a
Brotherhood contract giving each club an
option in their services for 1890, was signed by
all, and as all the League clubs have notified
their players of their intention to avail them
selves of this option, makes it, in my opinion. a
much stronger contract than any that the
PLAYERS have yet executed.
at therefore follows that the signing of the
alleged new League contracts amounts to
nothing at all. feel that we are in the posi-
tion of a man who holds judgment note
against another, who might try to evade its
payment by giving subsequent notes."
Would the public support you in attempt
ing to compel man to play in club against
his wishesT'
public support a player in breaking his con-
tract with his club, for that is the exact posi-
tion our old players are in. who are now
having so much fun In naming their own sal
aries and signing contracts with the new en-
thusiastic capitalists of the Players League.
l hope the boys are not forgetting their past
education by neglecting to ask for the usual
advance"
Evidently you expect your old men to play
with the Chicago League club next seasonT'
Certainly do and have no doubt they will
all come round in due time and ask the
privilege"
"In the event of their not doing so, and the
court failing to hold their League contracts
valid, what will be the probable course of the
Chicago club?"
Fill their places with new men and go on
without them, just as we would probably do If
they should all die"
If the Brotherhood makes failure in mid
season what will be done with the agitators?'
Don't think we will have to wait that long
but there will be plenty of time to decide on the
reconstruction policy after the rebellion is over.
The Brotherhood seems to be signing more
players now than the League clubs.
What does that imply? 1t implies. if it
implies anything, that the leaders deem it
necessary IN order to keep this edifice from tot
tering to pieces to bolster up their men and
keep them in line by having them sign a new
form of contract every month or two. First
they bound each player to solemn oath that
he would do the bidding of the Brotherhood
leaders, then each player signed so-called
on the promise that they would receive the
same salary they did this past year, with the
gittering possibilities of having one-half of the
profits OF all the clubs divided equally among
the players They held meeting in New York
andrevamped their financial plans. This change
necessitated a third contract, which some of
the boys are now signing. l understand these
present contracts are made between players
and individuals, and still another contract will
probably be necessary before all hands will feel
secure in their contractal relations"
Mr.. Spalding went on to saT that he does not
believe John Tener has signed Brotherhood
club contract believing that Tener has too
much business sens. Mr.. Spalding also en-
phatlcally denied that the recent legislation of
the League was influenced by the players out
break. He also said that should the players
conspiracy succeed the status of the game will
be injured. He also asked why Brotherhood
matters were dragging SO much in Pittsburg.
and was anxious to know the capitalists behind
the scheme here, and wondered why they are
any better fitted for baseball business than the
League.