Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-08
Important Letter Relative to Players
Association, Made Public.
WAS SENT OUT As STRICTLY PRIVATE
ii 81
Upton Wants to Beat the Best
Boat in America.
S PORTS IN GENERAL

| aireaoy one ol tHe members Of the Play
| ers Protective Association has proven false
10 mis- companions and it is more than like
ly that this is only the beginning Harry
| Taylor. attorney for the players, recently
issued confidential letter to the members
of the association advising them on the
present situation. and asking for opinions
relative to buckling down to a real battle
| with the National League. This letter was
| given to newspaper man in Boston and
| last night was sent out broadcast as '.spe-
| c.ar' correspondence. Hints have been
| thrown out that several members Of the
| organization have been negotiating with
| National League officials, but as yet moth
| ing authentic has been learned If the play
| ers themselves cannot be depended upon it
| is more than likely that the magnates have
| become aware of the situation and will
shortly bring into effect disorganzng tao
| ties that will disrupt the association.
TaylOr's Letter.
The letter Is important and will prove
| interesting reading to close followers of the
| game. 1t Is follows:
PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION,
January 4, 1901
| Dear Sir-1 have received great many
answers from the members to the commu-
mcation sent to all on December II; the
the boys have a temperate and common
sense view of the situation and that every
| one of them is loyal TO the association and
believes that the committee made only
proper demands and in a proper way l
want to impress upon you again firmly:
l. That you allow no rumors nor news
paper reports Of any kind to influence your
actions. From now on possibly many al
legged reports will be given out of what the
magnates are going to do, of assertions
from our ranks. etc, to weaken our cause;
any time you may feel worried or in doubt
about anything write to me.
2. The necessity Of every one standing
by the association, and that you sign no
contract for next year until you have sent
1t to me for approval
3. That American League men may now
sign with the American League at any time
If the contract contains the provision to
which Mr.. Johnson has agreed to not
farming" selling" trading" etc. with
out consent of the player and reserving for
not over three years.
Since the New York meeting have again
tried to get the National League people to
discuss our requests with us, but have got
no satisfaction far. 1t is to be hoped that
the owners will eventually take a differ
ent view of the situation and appreciate
that we want only. what is right thereby
strengthening the game with the public,
bringing us all together, preventing any
useless trouble and expense, even advancing
their own business welfare.
If you have not sent me your views In
writing, please do so at once stating wheth-
err under the circumstances, you any
objection to my continuing. clear up to the
National Leagues spring meeting If neces-
sery, to try to get the, concessions which
we want in the contract and whether you
are in favor Of all members staying out If
necessary, until concessions are granted.
Answer fully and carefully. l want the
opinions of ali members.
Treat this and all communications as con-
fidential and not for publication, and keep
II in noSSpSSiOD- Yours very truly
HARRY L. TAYLOR. Attorney.
Catcher CIarke's Views.
William j. Clarke, the well-known catcher
Of the Boston club. is treasurer Of the Play
ers Association, and in winter resides in
Baltimore When shown the letter last
night by a reporter Of the Baltimore Sun
he said:
Firstly, 1 think the man who gave out
the contents Of this letter is renegade.
and / regret exceedingly that this breach of
faith came from Boston. The Boston club
members were the first to pledge themselves
to a union to secure reasonable and just de-
mands
This was done last spring when the club
made It's first visit to Brooklyn. Hugh Jen-
nings and another Brooklyn player repre-
scented the Brooklyn club Later all mem
bers of the union, including every player
in the National and Western leagues and
some from the Eastern League, signed the
agreement.
Now player has broken faith He prob
ably did with an idea of future reward
from his employers. Who would put conf
dence in a traitor? Not a base ball club
owner, as they are ali too brainy to do such
a thing. This player will get just what his
playing ability is worth and no more-pos-
sibly less. By sticking to the organization
he may get the same money, with valuable
protection added.
IF the ball players stand united they will
find salaries the same the coming season
as they were last season. By signing fnd-
vidual contracts there may be some cuts.
l never favored a player jumping his con-
tract Those who contracted to play on
National League clubs should play on the
clubs, but If they remain united they can
gain more consideration than they have
formerly enjoyed.
There is nothing to be gained by ball
player breaking his contract. If he deserts
one league to play with another he loses
respect of the league owner deserted, and
certainly does not gain the respect of the
owner Of the club to which he goes. The
leagues are to be- as in all other business. a
case of the survival of the fittest. Which
ever goes under the player is left to the
tender mercies of the survivor. My advice
Is for the player to be honest to his en-
ployer. to his fellow-player and to himself,
and the problem will work itself out to the
satisfaction of all
Nothing new has developed in the local |
base. ball situation, unless the telegraph
item sent out from Detroit last night can |
be considered. 1t said in effect that Presi- |
dent ban Johnson had arranged a combna- |
ton in that city whereby Thomas Navin of |
Detroit will be associated with James Man |
nlng IN the management of the Washington /
club in the American League Navin is a |
stranger In this city. so far as base ball |
goes, but Is represented as being a poll |
ticlan OF some standing. |