Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-25
THE CONTRACT CRITICISED.
President Day Examines IL From a Mag.
Mates Standpoint.

President DRy Examines IL From a Mag
Mates Standpoint.
NEW YORK, November al. B. Day, Presi-
dent of the New York club, is looked upon as
one of the wisest baseball authorities in the
country Speaking of the Players League con-
tract yesterday he said: 81 have read the doc
ument over, but it is so ridiculously unfair that
it will hardly admit of any criticism. Still
there are some things about it which should
not go unnoticed. Take, for instance, the para
graph which says:
"'Whereas, such contracts of hiring have
been and are made with the party of the first
part as the representative of SAID corporation,
to be formed as aforesaid, and without any in
tention on his part to incur personal liability or
by the parties of the second part to acquire any
personal claim upon him; and, whereas, it is the
express intention and understanding Of the par
ties that the salaries of the parties of the sec
ond part hereby reserved, and all other base
ball players SO employed. are to be paid from
the moneys received at the games played by
the said club and by said players when organ
lied, and not otherwise, nor from any other
source
This certainly means that a PLAYER has to
look to the gate for his salary, and after all
other expenses are paid. What show will play
ers in the proposed Cleveland, Buffalo, Pitts
burg. Philadelphia and Brooklyn clubs have
for any such salary as they have been drawing
from the Lacquer
but they may become great drawing
"Suppose they do, it won't be to any greater
extent than heretofore. and l can safely say
that the magnates of the losing clubs in the
League have been going into their pockets for
expenses. Now the players salaries will suf-
fer"
"Why!"
Because the expenses will be paid from the
gate receipts before salaries are paid"
isn't it singular that men will sign such
contract with such facts staring them in the
face?"
II may say that 1 am utterly astonished that
any player can be found who would put his
name to such document The fact is, players
have looked at this thing from the point of
view that there could not possibly be any losses.
We're they as familiar with the profits and
losses of baseball as the managers are, they
would realize that their chances Of loss were
greater than the chances of profit, and, there
fore, would have used more caution in signing
that contract"
Suppose they do not succeed in organizing
it is only fair TO suppose that four or five clubs
will lose money. That has been the experience
in the past and there is no reason to suppose
that there shouldn't be in the future, particu-
larly as in most of the towns proposed there
would be a National League club playing in
opposition. Heretofore in the League the
stockholders have had to suffer the loss. Now
it is proposed that the players salaries shall
suffer.
"The contract calls first for the payment of
payment of salaries to players; then 81 500 for
the prize fund. 1t will be pretty hard lines
getting together this prize fund If the club
itself has no money left to pay its share of the
prize money, after deducting expenses and
salaries, who will pay it7
''It is further mutually understood and
agreed that all moneys received by such cor
poration from gate receipts or sources other
than a subscription of its capital stock shall
constitute fund for the payment and ex-
penses, etc, Here is some sharp work on the
part of the capitalists. AS matter of fact
the capital stock isn't liable at all for any Of
the expenses incurred. The club in this city
was incorporated with a capital stock of
$4,000 It's easy enough TO subscribe toward
this stock when it can be retained by the sub
scribers and cannot be drawn upon to meet
expenses or losses. l wouldn't mind going
into a snap of that kind myself
''In conclusion, may say that if John Ward
and his partners can induce ball players to
sign such contract they can do more than 1
could. 1 am sure that could not not induce a
League player to sign like contract if stood
over him with a shotgun"