The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-26
Class 4 Organizations Succeeded I'm
Amending National Association
Constitution.
CAN CLAIM DRAFTED PLAYERS
PRINCIPAL MINORS WILL BE ABLE
TO FILL THEIR RANKS.
W. II. Watkins Reviewed business mt
II. Louis Meeting and Discussed
Benefit tn he Derived.

W. H. Watkins. president of the Indian
spolis Baseball Club. returned yesterday
from the meeting OF the National Associa-
ton of Minor Leagues. held at st. Louis
last week. This meeting attracted much
attention in the baseball world, as the re-
vision of the constitution to conform to
the national agreement and the recognition
Of Class A leagues by the other minors
was made such an issue during the meet
ing that an open revolt was threatened for
short time Mr.. Watkins was a mesn-
Der OF the committee representing the
American Association that met with a COM
mittee OF the Eastern League to revise the
National Associations constitution. 1t was
through the policy adopted by the joint
committee that the Glass A leagues sue
ceeded in having the constitution changed
90 as TO protect the Class A organizations
rs well the other minor leagues. Glass
n leagues carried the day and got every
thing they asked for from the other
minors.
When the American Association mag
mates held a meeting in Chicago a few
weeks ago the necessity of revising the
constitution of the national association
was carefully considered. The Eastern
League magnates held a meeting about the
same time and 1t was agreed that the
two organizations should hold joint meet
ing in ST. Louis during the meeting of the
National Association of Minor Leagues
Certain conditions were apparent to club
owners in Class A leagues and we realized
the necessity for a change IN the consti-
tuition. Certain rights had to be cared for
since the adoption OF the national agree
ment-
I'VE went to ST. Louis realizing the con-
ditions that had arisen in baseball affecting
minor leagues. and especially Glass y or
CARNATIONS. Under the national agreement
the American or National Leagues can
enter the city occupied by a minor league
club by paying s. soc for the territory The
National and American Leagues can and
have drafted a large number of players
from Class A clubs and could have drafted
players from leagues below Glass a and
then returned the players to the clubs
abe big problems TO be solved when we went
10 ST. Louis. II was necessary for the life
OF Class A clubs TO have provision where
by could assume territory from other
leagues II the National or American
Leagues should step in and take one
more of our cities. Such thing is not
Inembered that there are sixteen clubs in
the National and American Leagues and
leagues drafting our players on one side
and the minors closing our base of sup
plies on the other To prevent the wipins-
out OK Class A leagues II was necessary
10 have legislation TO protect US from the
dangers of both sides
BOLTED THE MEETING.
AT the first meeting of the National AS
sociation of Minor Leagues Mr.. Griffiths, of
Jersey City. made a motion to change the
constitution to conform to the national
agreement. and suggested that as it would
be useless to try to change the constitu-
ton In open meeting Incorporated in his
motion that committee be appointed to
consider the matter. He was voted down
by representatives of the leagues that are
not familiar with the conditions in Class
leagues. The members of the former board
II arbitration were then resppointed, with
Class organizations having no represen-
tation the board. Mr.. Grifiths again
arose and stated that in the interests of
property, territorial rights and general in
terests of Class a organizations were not
represented he would request all represent
stives Of Class A clubs In the meeting to
follow him from the room. Class a clubs
felt that they would rather die fighting
than crawl into a hole and die.
Members of Class \ leagues at the meet
tnS then ADJOURNED 10 a committee room to
consider the situation. We appreciate that
Class b. {, and ID representatives did not
know what We wanted and we felt satisfied
that they would see how unwise il would
BE- 10 force quarrel OF clubs in Class A
against themselves and the serious danger
10 baseball In general that might result If
they desired TO ignore n joint committee
composed OF Griffth, Hanlon and Stallings
of the Eastern League and NJ. Bryce, Tebeau
and myself of the American Association,
was appointed at the Glass A meeting to
thoroughly consider proposed amendments
10 the constitution and make a report to
Class A leagues.
while we were i'm session a committee
from the National Association requested us
20 so before the National Association meet
Ing and state grievance. We did this
with the result that the constitution was
amended to meet our views. The most es-
senffal changes were for the protection of
Class "A as well as other classes in the
National Association. Ii players drafted by
the American Or National League are re-
turned to the clubs from which they were
drafted they viii pass through Class A
leagues and we will have chance to draft
them We have the privilege to put I'D the
draft price for such players with Secretary
Farrell for first claim ON the PLAYER that
might be sent back. The constitution was
also amended so that Class A clubs can as
sumo territorial control OF any cities they
might desire on the payment of s.. 500. Other
classes can do the same thing toward clubs
In lower class. After this year the board
of control of the National Association will
consist OF 1--WE members, three of whom
shall be representatives of Glass A leagues.
The constitution cannot be changed only by
four-ffths vote OF all leagues.
THE SALARY LIMIT.
The national association wisely fixed
salary limits for the various classes The
limit in Class A will be 81 400 a month for
each club. and heavy penalty is pro-
Sided for exceeding the limit A player
furnishing evidence that club is exceed
ing the limit shall have his unconditional
release and the privilege of signing wher-
ever he wishes A 500 fine is also pro-
vided for exceeding the limit
Baseball has reached point where club
owners desire TO realize something on their
Investment. and 1t is for their own benefit
10 maintain their team inside the salary
limits. venture 10 say that not more than
four or hve of the twenty-four clubs in
Class A made money last season. and this
was due TO exorbitant salaries that were
paid On an average every club paid in
the neighborhood or $500 a month. while
the Indianapolis club paid over $1,000 a
month You can see the salary limit will
be beneficial 10 the who have their
money invested I'm baseball. Ball players
must be satisfied with getting what comes
In at the gates and not expecting club own
ers TO continue doing business at loss"
Manager Watkins said that all the minor
league representatives seemed to be salts
fled with the new constitution. He said IL
was not right 10 place In leagues that are
composed or cities in Kentucky or Mis-
kissippl The power TO govern clubs in Class
a leagues, when the cities represented i'm
Class A are larger and have larger inter-
ests than all the other leagues combined
N1rk SAT- he n