The Washington times., 1912-11-04
PLAYERS MAY TAKE
OWNERS TO COURT
Object of Fraternity Is to Secure Justice for Men and
Eliminate High-Handed Methods of the
Magnates.

NEW YORK, Nov. 4-That the new
Baseball Players Fraternity means
business. and will endeavor to do some
thing at the coming meetings of the
two major leagues. Is evidenced by
what President David l.. FultZ has to
say. He says that the player is given
the raw edge OF affairs by the moguls,
and has no opportunity to change mat
ters unless the new organization Is sue
cessful.
THE big idea back of the baseball
players fraternity" said President Dave
i. Fultz 'is to secure justice for play
ers, and eliminate the high-handed
methods of the club owners.
when a player signs contract he
becomes the sole property of the club.
He can be sold, traded or released at
the owners will. The owner Is bound
to nothing-the player is tied. hand and
foot.
"'The fraternity will institute civil
suits to compel magnates to live up
to the contracts they have broken.
THE case of John w. Knight Is an
example. Knight in 1911, signed a
Americans for $1,000 year. The con-
tract, like every other one. contained
a clause stating the club could, upon
ten days notice. terminate Its agree
ment.
Salary Is Cut.
'In 1911 the first year of the con-
tract. Knight was sold to Washington.
which, in turn. sold him to Jersey City.
a minor league club, where his salary
was cut to $1,000
This 80 per cent reduction was made
despite knights contract binding the
New York club to pay him $4,000 year
for three years
."Andy Coakley, a pitcher for the Chi
cago Nationals, was sold to Louisville.
His salary was cut $500 Il year, and
Coakley refused to report. Other teams
wanted him, but under the national
agreement he belonged" to Louisville.
"Coakley organized "A semi-profession-
al team and played against some major
league clubs, but the national commis-
sion forbade the clubs to play his team.
Kurt W. Hagerman signed a Boston
American contract for s., 400 year for
1872 Early this season he was sent to
Jersey city under an optional agree
ment. On June q Jersey city turned
him back. and Boston sold him to Dem
YER which club offered him $500 for
the season, and he refused to report.
Offered Hagerman Job.
"Other clubs offered Hagerman a posi-
tion, agreeing to pay him s2,iOO, but
President McAleer. of Boston, would
his release and McAlecr said:
"'You'll play ball with Denver, or
you will quit baseball
About this time IA major league club
offered to assume Hagerman's S. iOC
contract, Offering more money for the
pitchers release than Denver, but Nc
Aleer refused. Hagerman was Boston
property: he must obey orders or get
out of the business which gave him d
living.
"Hagerman reported at the Boston
grounds daily. but after June % drew
no money. He was refused permission
to play with independent clubs.
Eros b. Barger signed with Brook.
lyn for 1912 at $500. lie was sold tC
Newark, minor league team, said tc
be owned in part by Charles Gbbets
owner of the Brooklyn team. and Bar,
gers salary was cut considerably.
Will Seek Redress.
These instances have been brought
to my attention in writing and the fra
ternitY will seek redress for the players
THE case OF Jim Dclahanty has no
been brought to my attention formally
but from all | hear he was railrOadcC
out of the big league because he de
fed Ban Johnson, president OF tho Am
eTiCan League.
"Delahanty took an important par
in the strike OF the Detroit players
following the suspension OF Ty Cohl
last spring, and soon after the matte!
was adjusted Delahanty, who had made
uncomplimcntary remarks about John