The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-17
TO SIGN NO CONTRACTS
Pressure Brought to Bear on Ma
tional League Magnates.
The Players Association Determined
to Insist ON the Abolition of the
tems-PrOhIbited Also From join
ing Ban Johnson's Organization.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-The Protective
ers, through its committee, Charles l..
thinner, Hugh Jennings. and c. C. Griffith,
has ordered every member of the associa-
tion not to sign a contract with any Ma
| tional League club until the officers say
the word
Incidentally the players who were with
the American League last year have re-
ceived permission to sign with that body,
but at present all National League men
have been prohibited from doing business
with Ban Johnson's organization. This ac-
tion is the result of the action Of the Ma
tional League magnates last week. The
players asked to have the drafting farm
ing. and sales systems abolished, and de-
manded limitation OF the reserve rule
to three years.
President thinner left here tonight for
Philadelphia. where he intended to hold
a conference with Ban Johnson Before
taking the train thinner said:
The Protective Association is still will
ing to treat with the National League.
We have expressed a desire to waive every
condition named by us except those set
forth by Harry Taylor at the League meet
ing last week. We do not want a baseball
war and to show that we have no secret
agreement with the American League we
have ordered all OF the National League
players to keep from negotiating with
johnson for the present at least. We want
to give the National League people plenty
of time to think over our demands, 50
that when real trouble comes we VIII not
be to blame.
In case of break all players who have
already signed contracts viii be forced
by us to live up to them. no matter with
what league they have affiliated them
selves. But so far as the option clause
is concerned, or the reserve rule, we have
no scruples. Both are Illegal and have
been so pronounced by competent legal
authorities after due deliberate on. II
the players of America decide to fight for
their rights the move viii not be made
hastily. So far. the Protective Associa-
tion has rcfrainel from declaring war.
because we do not want to hurt the game.
player not to sign with the National
League. and every National League pay
err not to accept an offer from the Ameri-
can League. The players thus protect one
another, in that the former American
League men will not be forced out of
work by those who may have to jump the
National League.
Furthermore no member OF the Pro-
tective Association will be allowed TO sign
with a National League club until our
demands have been granted. THIS order
will be enforced. If necessary, he play
ers TO a man will hold out through all of
next season. All Of us have pledged our
selves to live up to this order, and we
will not break faith either.
The League magnates are more wariike
than the players, it would seem, Cor in
addition to ignoring the Protective Asso-
citation and limiting the number of play
ers TO be carried by each club TO sixteen.
they have also decided to cut down the
salary limit from s.. 400 to $1,000. Brush
started the movement to reduce salaries
and has received almost unanimous sup
port. President Ebbetts. OF the Brooklyn