The Alaska citizen., 1912-09-16
ORGANIZATION OF PLAYERS GOOD THING,
 SAYS M'BRiDt By George McBride.
By George Mo Bride.
Canlain and Shortstop of the Mash.

By George McSride.
 Captain and Shortstop of the Wash,
 iHgton American Club.
 ST. LOUIS. - An organization of professional baseball players, mem Ders Of the clubs composing the two major orgauiDations, is in the formation. 1t is confronted with thousand and one problems of de tall and management, upon any one of which the fate of the organization may hinge. l have been asked to give my views on the subject and to express an opinion regarding the merits of such an organization, it's aims and ambitions, and it's probable chance of surviving the numerous baseball doctors who will have !; hand in bringing il into being.
 In the first place, have no griev- ance against organization baseball it's managers, it's magnates or it's principles. Since the first day in which l earned my living as a pro fessional ballpIaycr. have been well treated. l had my usual apprentice ship in the minor leagues and my first trout in the majors. was sent back for more seasoning and it did me good. When l came back again to the majors l was given a salary that satisfied me. and in re turn have tried to give the club every ounce of my strength and abil ity. And when l am through. and younger man takes my place, will have no protest, for in baseball he race is to the fastest and the survival of the fittest prevails.
 So l can write of the subject with an unprejudiced mind. having no axes to grind either way.
 Average Player We'll Treated
 I believe the average baseball play. CT is well treated, and his good treat ment continues just as long as he returns the compliment to his club If he breaks training, he is disci- plined just the same as any man in any other walk of life suffers. The reserve clause in his contract is necessary to the upbuilding of good clubs. for no fast baseball organiza ton can be welded into shape in less than three years. Without the chaos. No organization of players should attempt to tamper with the contract.
 Mutual benefit, in my estimation, should be the object of a players fraternal organization. It would be suicide to align our organization with labor unions. believe a solid organization of players. working in harmony with the club owners and having certain jurisdiction over it's members, could do a great good It would force players to treat the managers and owners right, as well as adopt measures to correct the few instances where players have been mistreated by the magnates In other words, it could act as a buffer between two classes, and by absolutely insisting upon it's own members living up to their agree ments with the clubs and with the organization. could do q great deal to simplify many arguments.
 The players organization should have a representative in each club, man who could enforce the rules as far as his own club was concern ed on the minor matters, and also bring the attention of the executive heads of the organization to any grievances suffered either by players or 'magnates.
 Would Have Benefit Clause. Instead of union I will advocate ''fraternal organization" Such an organization, properly administered l could soon pile up a neat reserve fund for the use of former mem bers who might become incapac. itated through injuries or old age and need financial assistance from l their former comrades It could finance a home for aged players and avoid the paragraphs we often see in the newspapers about great stars of bygone ages dying in poverty.
 I am with the players. first, last and always. but 1 am in favor of a