Evening star., 1901-02-04
Take Positive Steps to Bring National
League to Terms.
INDICATIONS POINT 10 Big STRIKE
Playing Schedule Of National
League to Be Kept Secret.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS

If reports from Cleveland are to be be-
lieved the meeting of the Players Protec-
tive Association in that city last Saturday
was not at all harmonious, to say the least.
Several of the National League star play
ers were emphatic in their remarks against
the officers of the association and demand
ed change, not only In the leaders, but
in the course Of the organization.
Joe Kelley, captain of the Brooklyns. is
said to have led the opposition, and he was
backed up by other players from that city
Players of the Kelley class know they cam
not get any more money by boycotting or
striking against the league, and their ef-
forts were directed against the men who
| want to antasonize the major organization
and affiliate with the American League.
At the conclusion Of the meeting Saturday
night it was given out that the faction
headed by thinner, Jennings and Clarke.
had won out, and that the association
would go ahead on the original plans. At
torney Harry Taylor of the association gave
out the following statement for publica-
ton:
The Base Ball Players Protective Asso-
ciaton In a conference at Cleveland, Ohio,
hereby make the following official an
nouncement to the members of said asso-
citation:
First-The cases of all the members re-
ported to have violated any Of the rules
of the association have been referred to
the grievance committee, to be acted on
by said committee after an investigation.
Second-The association has at present no
knowledge to improper conduct on the
part of any officer or member of the asso-
ctation.
Third-The associat ton is In excellent con-
dition financially and in all respects.
Fourth-Members who last year played In
the American League are authorized to sign
the coming season in that league only the
mt not hSafx c,,ih
league and our association. However, all
such members are advised to send their
contracts to the association attorney for
inspection before signing
Fffth-No member shall sign contract
to play in the National League. the East
ern League or the American Association un-
til further instructions.
Sixth-No member who last season did
not finish with an American League club
shall sign for the coming season In the
American League until further instructions.
Importance of Sixth Paragraph.
About the only bit OF news in the above
statement is the sixth paragraph. To the
close followers OF the present base ball
situation that paragraph is somewhat
startling. 1t shows that the players, not
withstanding their contempt for the Ma
tional League and in the face of the favor
able action of the American League in
agreeing to all the demands made by the
the reserve system of the major organiza-
tion and will respect the same. The para
graph also demonstrated that the American
League, Notwithstanding its friendly atti
tude, Is not yet to be rewarded In peing
allowed to sign any player who desires to
play with that organization.
But the sentiment in ryof the Ameri-
can League is undoubtedly uppermost in
the Players Protective Association. and
later on when the pending storm breaks
it may be given substantial recognition.
President thinner. no later than Saturday
morning at Cleveland, gave out the follow
ing statement:
IF the National League magnates will
listen today they will hear an ominous
rumbling at Cleveland. The CONCESSIONS We
ask for are Just, and it Is nothing except
the fear of what may happen in the
future.
practically every National League player
in the country is with US, and if we decide
to stick together, as we surely will, what
can the magnates do? There will be at
least fifty members of the Protective Ass0-
citation at the meeting. I am not forecast
Ing our action. but I would like to ask
what would happen should we decide to
go over to the American League in
body?
Understanding With the American.
Special dispatches from Cleveland yes