Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-06-18

clause OF the national agreement, and
as the American Association clubs
wouldn't allow this 10 be stricken out
the players were mighty hot over It.
They had TO sign contracts at $4,000
and make outside contracts for all
they got over that amount,
Az the annual meeting OF the league
In 1888, some OF the clubs demanded
a ruling that would limit players sal
aries, which had grown to enormous
proportions. The outcome was claS.
sification rule which divided players
into Ave kinds; Class A to receive
$4,000; class b, s2,25O; class c,
$4,000; class D. $3.50, and class II,
81 800. II was agreed among the clubs
that this classification should not ap-
ply to players then under contract or
to those who were absent on the
d.theworld tour. We were al.
lowed two weeks after our return TO
arrange matters before being sub
iect 10 classification.
John Ward, who was the Brother
hood leader, was abroad at the time
this occurred, so no Official action was
taken by that organization. BY the
time he got home contracts for that
season had been signed and nothing
could be done. Ward favored strike
at the time, but he was outvoted by
his followers Just about that time
the New York management agreed TO
release Johnny to Washington for the
sum OF $4,000, the biggest price ever
offered for a player, but Ward spoiled
the deal by declining nat-tooted TO be
sold to the national capital club.
Then the kicking players appointed
a committee to present their griev-
Rnces to the league, and President
Young named a league committee to
confer with the other. Mr. Spalding
wss chairman and he declined TO meet
the Brotherhood folks until fall, al
though they wanted an immediate
hearing That refusal upset the tea
pot. The brotherhood people began
at once. though with the utmost Sc
crecy, to plan secession.
When | was made wise to the busi
ness tried my best to persuade my
players to keep out Of the muss, but
wasn't altogether successful. Some
of them wouldn't listen to me. among
them Pfetfer, Tener and Williamson
although they made no move unit
after the playing season was over
On November 1, 1899, the Brotherhood
threw Of the mask and announced
the formation Of the Players league
which, as finally organized, took II
the cities OF Boston, Brooklyn, New
YoS and Philadelphia In the east ant
Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland and Pitts
burg In the west.
On paper II looked to be bi,
scheme but II lacked brains in III
management As 4 natural conse
quence It's career was brief ant
stormy one, with war to the knife ant
knife to the hilt between the two riva
organizations After four courts hat
decided that the players had a perfec
right to leave the National league ant
jsin the rival body, each OF the club
belonging to the Players leagu
signed compact to play with the neV
organization ten years, The Nationa
league then got out schedule Of play
ing dates that conflicted with that o
the other body and the public got g.
disgusted with the quarrel that It CAV
the game the go-by, At the end o
the season the Players league bough
the Cincinnati club, and that left tn
old organization with but six.
At the close OF the season a cor
ference was held to smooth out III
tangle, which was financially disa'
trous to all parties concerned. Secre
meetings between the capitalists Q
the two leagues were held, with tn
ultimate result that the rival clubs 4
New York, Pittsburg and Chicag
were consolidated. That deal brok
up the Brotherhood scheme.
The year 1890 was one Of the mos
disastrous ever known in the histor
OF baseball. On account OF the Qual
rel. the teams sometimes found then
selves playing to practically empt
benches. II was o big contrast to tn
preceding year, which was the mos
successful ever known to the Nations
league, money fairly rolling In at tn
gates.