The times., 1899-01-12
DISCIPLINE OF BALL PLAYERS.
Report of League Board ON the Use
of Ohsccnc LnnguaGe.

New York, Jan. 11.-At the recent meet
ing here of the National League OF Pro-
fessional Baseball Clubs a report was sub
mitted by the board of discipline, appointed
at St Louis last February, to try cases OF
players charged with using obscene Lam
guage on the field. At the request of L.
C. Krauthoff, president of the board, the
report was not made public, but he has
since changed his mind. The recommended
tion of the report follows:
A-The scope and effect of the measure
are limited TO obscene. indecent and vulgar
language upon the ballfield by players en-
gagged in playing a game OF ball during the
championship season.
The fact that not single complaint has
been made to the board Of violation of
this measure necessarily proves one or two
things:
1.-That no such occurrences have taken
place, and, therefore the continued ex-
istence Of this tribunal is both idle and
unnecessary; or,
THAT the machinery provided for
bringing such occurrences 10 the atten-
lion Of the board is inadequate. While
no member Of tins body has direct knowl-
edge that the measure has been violated,
number OF complaints have been made
IN the public press and b. Individuals
that such vlolantions have occurred or
at least that the spirit of the legislation
has not been observed. The fact remains
that If the evil is to be exterminated sec
ticn must be amended so as to make it
obligatory, under heavy penalty upon
all umpires. managers. club officials. play
ers and ether persons. subject to your au-
lhority, 10 Immediately report all infrac-
items and thus put a failure to report on
the same basis as the commission OF the
oifense itself.
B.-Experience has also demonstrated
that ungentlemanly conduct on the haI
field Is far from being confined TO obscene
indecent and vulgar language. Profanity
and insulting words, gestures and actions
and similar conduct arc quite as annoying
to spectators, equally as reprahsnsihle and
constitute as powerful basis for refurms-
tory legislation If the end in view. which
is reci;ed in The Brush measure is 10 be
attained through this tribunal, its jurls-
diction must be greatly enlarged InsTead
of limiting lis power 20 specifically de-
scribed words, the Jurisdiction should be
as broad as that conferred 10 cite IN in
stance made familiar by current history
by the articles and regulations governing
the army and navy of the United States,
namely; so as to cover any and all con-
duct or words unbecoming gentleman
and professional baseball player
C--Speaking frankly unless these sug-
gestions are 10 be practically applied. the
power to discipline offenders against the
Brush measure may as well be left where
II is placed in respect Of things fortidden
under your constitution and rules, and the
board OF discipline be abolished To the
end that you may consider he proposition
III its entirety, free from embarrassing
on their account the members Of that
tribunal are ready ana willing 10 resign
the positions for which you ere pleased
10 designate them. Although some CT The
club owners are expected 10 protest against
such move the matter viii probably be
carried to the limit