The evening times., 1897-08-27
UNION OF BALL PLAYERS
Benevolent Scheme Proposed by
Charles II. Ebbets.
FOR MUTUAL PROTECTION
To BE Made Up Of National
Leaguers, Which Shall Take
Sick and Veteran Players, Thereby
Projecting the Pockets Of the Men.

II the ideas OF Secretary Charles II Ebbets
Of the Brooklyn club are carried out the
season of 1898 Will see the baseball players
OF the National League organized on firm
basis for mutual protection, says the Brook
Iyn Eagle. Mr.. Ebbets does not propose
TO instigate another players league war;
on the contrary, his plan will receive the
support OF the magnates. The organiza-
ton Is projected not as one OF offense
and defense against the owners Of clubs,
Dut as protection against the demands OF
beats aud degenerate veterans OF the
national game.
inner workingsof the National League, their
aLJention being directed toward the playing
OF the men and the daily standing OF the
teams in the pennait race. They have been
Informed that the play receive big sal
aries for the few hours work they do each
day and there their knowledge ends. In pri-
Sate life, during their stay at home, or on
their II requentt trips, the players are continu-
ally going into their pockets to help needy
players, aiding I'm testimonials and subscrib-
ing toward all manner OF schemes and Dene-
fitsin which they have no personal interest,
but as public men they are compelled 10
comers.
Within the past few months frequent de-
inands have been made on their gener-
osity, and IT is coBservatively estimated
that in each season player has, by pub
uC anu private cOntTlDutfOnS, given away
on an average OF nearly S26O from his
salary. A short time ago former Manager
McGunnigle, who had charge OF the Brook
iyn .n,d team n seven years ago. met WITH VII al, an
tributed to fund. Bobby Matthews,
veteran player, became an inmate OF an
asylum In ba ltimore, and the men were
asked TO aid benefit Tor his faniAy.
Kid Baldwin's recent death required an
other fund, while another request, when
Con Lucid's wife became Ill, met with o
Mcphee In celebration OF his twenty II We
years as League player called for an
other contribution. I
THESE are only few of the public af-
fairs. The private drains on the players
salaries are even more numerous. They
nave friends everywhere, old-time players
and others, with no means or support, " no
keep track OF the schedule, and are certain
to be In the vicinity OF the hotel when q
visiting team arrives. The needy man,
whether deserving or not, is not permitted
To retire empty handed, for collection
II immediately taken up among the meIn-
beTs of the club. This is of frequent Oc-
currence and is met in every city.
Mr.. Ebbets' plan Is for a benevolent Dr.
ganiZation on the came lines as the ac-
tors fund. winch Will take chafge OF all
such demands upon the players. He out
lined the scheme TO an Eagle reporter
TINS morning, and was confident or Its
feasibility He said.
-'Ua the last western trip tile pla yers COM
planned to me of the freuue MT deina nds made
on them. and Immediately thought OF the
plan in uuessioa 10 relieve them l vent over
the details with them. ana thev seemed 10
consider the plan an excellent one if IL could
become general Now. there are twelve clubs
In the League. each OF W hich carries about
twenty PLAYERS. Let them orga niZe into a
body having central board of officers nd
branch orga niZataonsfn each CITY. cUmDoSed
OF the members of each club. The dues
could be nominal. say 80 cents a week
which would be about 81 .440 for the six
months of the plavlnC year. This would
be sent to the treasurer OF the organization.
and be q general fund TO be devoted tO de
Iuands of all kinrs. Should PLAYER meet
a needy personan anv city be could bring
him To the local committee. which would
Immediately telegraph TO the treasurer for
q certain sum, and IL would be fOrw arded
Immediately, without anv red teDe In
that way the PLAYERS could avoid the fndi
vidual drain 10 which they are now com
PEELED to submit. W hile other features could
be added, as donation in case OF death
lie players Would not feel the Small
sum OF fifty cents week, and would at
the same time be protected. Ii is a move
ment Inat tney would be glad to take up.
If it can be brought TO their notice. There
would be other sources of revenue. A
baseball day could be arranged, the pro-
ceeds OF which could be devoted TO the as
cup series could be devoted to the same
cause i am sure that the League would
not oppose any such organization.
The next meeting OF the League is
scheduled at Baltimore III November lie XI.
What each club should do is To appoint
deleg ate 10 attend tlIaC IneeJIng, with pUM er
to organize, and 1 am sure it Will be
on a firm foo ting by the time the season
OF 1 $50 begins. It's benefits would SOON
become apparent.