, 1889-07-28

National league and American association
10 continue, as they are now, the governing
power In professional baseball; they jointly
to make the playing rules and to furnish the
system, means aud power for carrying out
the laws as provided for in a national agree
ment and articles of qualified admission. An
other professional leagues and associations to
be divided into, say, four classes, TO be known
as classes A, B, c and D..
''ClaS A wouli probably include such as
sociations as the International league, West
ern association, California league and others
Of about the same grade.
"Clas B to include associations whose draw
ing powers would DO about IS per cent. less
than class A
"ClaS G to include associations whose draw
ing powers would be about 80 per cent less
than class A
"Class d to be the lowest, including clubs
hat cannot afford to pay over ESQ or eco per
month salaries
Continue the present plan Of protection
10 minor leagues with the right to reserve
with the following notifications:
"Class d clubs to be obligated not TO pay
salaries aggregating over 5000 per month,
and no individual player over 500 per month.
All players in this class subject 10 requisition
from any club of a higher class, on, say, one
weeks notice, upon payment Of q fixed bonus
- VI wv 10 IAAA ~ AAS SAab NAlaoAA
the player.
''Clnss C TO pay salaries nggregating not
over $1,000 per month, and no individual
player to receive over 800 per month. All
players in this class subject to requisition
from any club in a higher class upon pay
ment OF n bonus OF $500.
"Class b to pay salaries aggregating not
over 1880 per month, and no individual
player TO receive over $3.50 per month. All
l.-.- a., slg. H.. .-I4... a. --z..ss.s-.
from clubs In Glass A and the League and
American association upon the payment of
n bonus OF 81 900.
Glass A to pay salaries a~ggregating not
over 5000 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 81 200.
Tho League and American association to
continue their present reserve system. Modi-
~ this classification salary limit by making
1t non-operative on players whose habits arc
exemplary, and who shall have completed n
service Of three years in the League or Amer
lean association.
"To discourage the present sales system in
the League and American association / would
suggest that only one-hnlf of the bonus paid
for the release of a 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 "A member.
~ would recommend a board of appeals,
sort OF n supreme court, as it were, to whom
could be referred for adjudication and settle
ment all disputes between associations and
between clubs and players, also the interpre-
tation Of the playing rules and the constItu-
lions 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 tho president OF
the League, president of the American asso-
citation, and one other gentleman OF repute
well yersed 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 q necessary
salary limit, and l feel sure that they would
favor a plan that would mako 1t obligatory
on them TO release n player upon receipt of n
fair bonus, while now they hesitate about do
ing It on account of adverse criticism. 1t
would also DO a substantial encouragement to
minor league players TO do their best, with
tho hope Of being advanced into a higher
class and increased salary.
Il merely offer these ideas as crude sug-
gestions, out OF which l think can be evolved
n 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 a
new committee be appointed by tho League,
or the scope of the committee recently ap-
pointed to consider the grievances OF players
DO enlarged, with instructions to invite a
similar committee Of the American associa-
ton, and one or more delegates from each of
tho professional associations now working
under the national agreement, to confer with
the League committee a few days previous to
the regular annual meetings, and consider
the whole subject. Out of such a conference
/ feel sure some plan will be arranged that
will more fully meet the requirements of the
game and plnce professional baseball ON a
more permanent business basis.
81 would suggcs, hat you communicate
with tho other League clubs and appoint a
committee for this purpose"
While Mr.. ~Spalding's plans may meet with
the approval OF club managers, it is probable
that the players will offer strong opposition.
"Thi man Spalding," said a prominent
player after reading the communication, sis
for himself all the time, and he cares little or
nothing for players. l consider the scheme
the beginning of a movement TO reduce sal
aries In the big and little associations. The
scheme to pay part Of tho bonus on sales to
players is a good one, but it will hardly affect
Mr.. Spalding, US he is about done selling now
that he has pocketed tho cash in the Kelly,
Clarkson and Gore deals. Ne York Times
The brooklyn Kennel Club
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