The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-21

CINCINNATI, O.. Dec. 20-The COM
mittee of the Players Protective associa-
ton have sent out circular letter to all
ball players of their association. The
letter is as follows:
THIS IS OFFICIAL.
Dear Sir-After much correspondence
and many postponements a committee of
National league owners met our commit
tee at the Fifth Avenue hotel, New York
city, on Wednesday, Dec. T. Our COM
a plan of action. At our request the
meeting was an open one. At the outset
the magnates stated that their commit
tee had no power to act but simply to
report to the league. On our insisting
that immediate action be taken they
agreed to report and act at once. There
upon we stated our main requests YER
bally, and 1t was agreed that all the re-
quests which we made would be imme-
diately submitted to the owncrS in a
written memorandum, together with
proposed new form of contract This
was done. On Thursday the ma gnateS
stated that our written demands exec ed
ed our verbal ones. We recognized that
TINS was mere excuse, and, thereupOn,
10 give them every possible SHOW to be
lair, we submitted to them While they
We're still in conference, a written re-
guest Tor q fehearing. which stated that
we would be satisfied with a change in
the selling, reserving and drafting claus
es, and that our demands be passed upon
one by one. and not ignored IN a bunch
In reply to this they instructed us on
Friday that they had decided 10 ignore
all our requests, which we believe they
intended TO 90 from the first. There
upon We summoned our attorney and
directed Mr. Taylor to send a full report
TO every member. This is that report.
It looks pretty sure that the National
league owners are going to cut our sal
aries all along the line. We give you cur
judgment so that you may bear it in
mind later when you decide whether to
sign with the American Or National
leagues. The two leagues pay pretty
close together. All things considered, it
Is not wise for US TO start war our
selves; that at present players should
not, under any conSidera ton, jump from
our league to the other, even if tie
American does become entirely independ-
emit that American league players may
at any time sign contracts in that league
which contain the amended portions OF
which they have been advised heretofore
and to which Mr.. Johnson has agreed,
which provide against selling, farming
and drafting without the players con-
sent; that any member OF the asSocia-
lion, no matter what league he is in,
should sign TO contract at any time
which he has not had approved b. the
attorney, and this does not mean that it
may not possibly be deemed best after a
time 10 approve the old form of contract
for the coming year. But We urgently
ask you tand this letter goes to all mem-
hers) to hold off at present and anyhow
TO sign nothing before you have it ap-
proved by Mr.. Taylor, under your sol
emn agreement as a member of the as
ISOLATION.
Having acted to the best of orr abil-
ity we urge You to Immediately write to
MIR. Taylor your personal preference for
action for the future. both for yourself
and for our association, which is ground
ed on all that is fair and honorable and
which must. be kept up and made a sue
cess, or no players organization can ever
succeed.
Charles L. thinner,
Hugh Jennings,
&C. c. Griffith.
"COrnTl7iftae :"