The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-08-06
Are Major League Men
Supporting OUTLAWS ?
Said TO Be Contributing to Tri-State League
in Order to Maintain Present High Sal
aries-Significant Secret Meeting

Are the major league ball players, as
a whole, deliberately supporting the out
law Tri-state League?
There arrived In washington this week
a man who has had a long experience
with baseball, and Is especially we'll
informed concerning the efforts which
have recently been made by prominent
labor leaders and thinkers to form the
men who make their living on the dia-
mond into a labor union which IS to be
affiliated with the American Federation
OF Labor and to derive all the benefits
which that powerful organization can
throw to a new member-especially one
depending absolutely upon popular sup
port, and SO susceptible to the influences
Of boycott as baseball would be.
Contribute to Outlaws.
The story as told here Is that the
leading spirits among the players Of the
major leagues have been, ever since
May of this year. submitting to an as
sesBment to support the high salaried
teams of the Tri-State League. They
have done so on an insurance principle.
By helping that league to exist and
offer its inducements they prevent a
general reduction of salaries in the
major leagues and leave refuge to
which they may resort when oppressed
by managers or owners who might
have a desire to reduce their emolu-
ments or curtail their privileges. Per
haps this explains the ability of the
Pennsylvania league 10, In many in
stances, oyerbid the majors in their
efforts to get desirable men
II was urged upon the players that
the magnates OF the American and Ma
ttonal leagues would undoubtedly come
together sooner or later and agree upon
system by which there would be a
general and serious reduction of sala-
ries. for while the owners might be
willing to spend their money lighting
each other, they would be perfectly will
ing 10 enter into a scheme which would
enable them to materially cut the top
heavy salary rolls which are charac-
teristlc of the leagues today. The argu-
ment was that the players We're really
entering upon cooperative insurance
proposition which would guarantee them
large salaries in the future.
Plan New Circuit.
The way the leaders have figured it
out is to have a new outlaw league next
year of eight clubs. with a possibility
Of four others. TO be added to provide
herths whether they are profitable or
not. The proposed circuit is TO consist
Of Albany. Scanton, Binghamton,
Johnstown, Altoona, Harrisburg, York,
and Williamsport, thus breaking into the
New York State League. Should it be
necessary to provide additional cities
the plan is to have Lancaster Wilkes
barre. Camden, and Reading added
Finnnciers behind the movement have
figured that Il fund of $4,000 10 be sub
scribed by major league players would
be enough to enable the outlaws TO
continue in existence, pay big salaries,
and force the ma jors to offer the present
fat Inducements to their employees. They
claim ;hat this money IS already being
provided by the players and that before
next season has arrived the movement
Will have crystaIlized so far that the
solidity Of the outlaws VIII be absolute
~ guaranteed and experts of the tla-
mond VIII be able to dictate terms as
they were In the war times Of two years
ago
Take Tri-State Seriously.
That the ma ior leagues have been tax
Ing the outlaws mere seriously than
formerly appears to he proved by the
reports recently published to the effect
that If the Tri-State League would en-
ter the field and place Itself under the
National commission amnesty would be
granted those who have jumped the
jors because of real or fancied 6riev
ances. and have placed themselves in a
position TO be blac.llisted by the Ma
Jtonal agreement teams.
1t is said that the National commits
sion has made a frank offer, which
really amounts to q confession of defeat,
to the Tri-State League if 1t viii only
promise 10 stop It's constant graspiag for
players, and that President kraemer of
the Tgi-Statc. has assured his coafreres
In the league that he will never come 10
terms In this, it IS asserted he had
assurances of support from the leaders
among the major stars.
Tales are also told of a gathering at
tho Mansion House. il Reading, Pa,
some time ago of quite a number of
prominent and aggressive major league
players who were, or were supposed to