Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-06
THE BASE BALL BROTHERHOOD.
Mr.. Michael Scanlon Thinks IL VIII Not
be Able to support Itself.


Mr.. Michael Scanlon, one of the stockho lder
of the Washington base ball club, on being
asked by STAR reporter this morning his
opinion of the base ball situation, said:
In my opinion, L haze said all along, the
brotherhood will not be able to support exist
ence for any length of time They have not, by
any means, all the members they claim. Young
men with years Of playing ahead of them will
prefer to play where they know that pay day 10
a sure thing. Though the brotherhood may
hold out promises of bigger money. they have
not the capital back of them to make it certain
Moreover, a man will think twice before he will
decide on step that will prevent him from
ever playing ball with any of the associations,
Tor all the leagues are IN a national agreement
and any man leaving any of them now will be
black-balled and barred from any future con-
nection with them.
THE PLAYERS aRIEvAvYcEs
The only grievances the brotherhood have"
continued Mr.. Scanion, ''are on the salary ques-
ton and regarding the sale of players. And
yet many of the players who have been tIans-
ferred have sanctioned the transaction by
claiming and receiving part OF the purchase
money. Many members of the brotherhood
have Joined for the sake of the social advan-
tages. and when II comes to u vital issue they
will not care TO go with II. Last year Manager
Soden of the Bostons gave $4,000 for four
Detroit men. and has paid them big salaries
besides. DO you suppose he would have done
this If he thought these men could leave him
within YEAR, i am sure the courts will sus-
tain these contracts and enjoIn the men from
playing anywhere else than with Boston.
ANOTHER SIDE To THE STORY.
The brotherhood talk about the big money
in base ball management and cite New York,
Chicago and Boston, but they fail to mention
any of the clubs that are known to lose money.
am sure they have neither the ability or cap
ital to make a success of losing club as Man.
ager Soden did with Boston. IL takes enter
prise hard work and lots of money to make a
successful team. The brotherhood only tell
one side OF the story. George Flint thinks he
has grievance against the Chicago club and
does his best to hurt it, Yet the truth is that
Spaldng has retained him at a good salary, al
though his days Of playing really over and
better men could be had for less money. simply
because he has been a good player and il 10
now too late for him TO make a success in any
other business.
OF all the poor statements of grievances
have ever seen 1 think the manifesto of the
brotherhood was the poorest. They say the
league is playing for the dollars and watching
gate receipts Do they think they can play
any other way and make a success OF II?
Again they say they want 10 take the game out
of the influence Of gamblers. Ii is q fact that
four years ago three OF our men were shown TO
DE OF pool room on "
street. II that is the way they do in spite Of
all restraints what will they do when they ars
their own masters? When the league meets
next Monday the managers will ask each player
personally whether he will play with the league
or brotherhood, and then the conditions win
be definitely understood
THE EFFECT ON WASHINGTON.
Washington" said Mr.. Scanlon, will not
lose more than three or four players. Mack,
DAILY Hoy and keefe are sure to stay, and with
this nucleus il will not be difficult TO fill up the
team with good men from the minor leagues
or from outside sources. The brotherhood ex-
pect to make a large amount OF money to divide
among themselves. They are calculating on
having the same patronage the present league
has had. When they come 20 establish team
in Boston they will find well-equpped league
team in the field and even if they divide the
crowds equally they cannot afford TO pay any
thing like the salaries the present league clubs
can. Moreover, they have not enough capital
to stand a long battle and the league can out
last them easily. As have said, the brother
hood cannot last and before long we will see Q
large number of base ball players with no
place TO play, for the league can readily re-
cruit younger men and will soon have no use
for their old men even if they cared TO take
her hail