The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-06
Owners Making Up for Past Losses.

The owners o cainnt that they are simply making up for past losses
and cannot afford to do better for the players than they are now doing
This argument may or may not be a good one. but the organization which
has been perfected by the national games promoters will probably prove
strong enough to bnk the players in their efforts to secure compensation for
their services OIL a scale which would threaten to wipe out profits. The
owners are fearing that 1908, OF account Of unfavorabe industrial condi
tions will not be a prosperous, from n baseball standpoint, as 1907 was, and
this fear toe will influence them in practising economy.
Organized baseball though it has been shown to be the only possible
method fr handling h affairs of the great sport in a manner that will
properly protect the interests Of the players aid the owners, will surely
nev permit salaries to reach a figure which Will mean that clubs cannot be
un on a plain business basis. That means that some profits will be looked
for While the public expects baseball promoters to be good Sports" and
looks upon them IS being in the game or the love of it, a s well as for some
financial returns. it surely appreciates that the promoters expect something
besides the fur they may get out of it.
Competition has often resulted in ruinous salaries being paid. but this
sorto Of thing hs neVer been kept ID long, for h reason that it was ruin
that was soon staring Inc promoters in the face. The case of the TriState
League is a good example. BY Offering towering saariest the promoters of
from the minors to jump These magnates however, soon found that their
fun was costing them toe much, and they made overtures which resulted In
their being taken into the fold of organized baseball
Put knife on Salaries of Players.
No sooner mad this been accomplished than the promoters began ito get
busy with the pruning knife o. salaries. They not only had to get things
down to a paying basis but they also wished to make up if possible, for
past losses Therefore, the Trf-State League contract jumpers who have
been sentenced to that league by the powers of organized baseball, are suf-
fering. They have nj alternative but to accept the salaries offered or quit.
While it may not be felt that the players in this predcament are being
treated fairly by their employers, the example Is theref for those who are stick
ing out for bigger salaries Witt conditions as they are o the players
fare the best. There is the demand for their services which will keep
the salaries right up TO the highest possible point consistent with running
me- At the same time. HI laws of the organized sport promoters provide
for the rghtng of injustces which the players may suffer from.
In an routiaw' scheme there is only temporary benefit for the players
They may get bigger salaries for a time but the absolutely certain smash is
hood.
The only exception to this case has been that of the American League.
Those players who umped from the National League are fMnng juta as we'll as
IL they had stayed In the older organization. This fact however, is due etc the
fact that peace "a made between the great associations Had there been no
because Of the effects of costly war Then the players would have beena 1t the
mercy OF the winner. "