Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-18
Detroit Ball Players
Stick to Ultimatum
CONTINUED from First Page,
Says Cobb was Justified.

They must realize that the players must
be protected FROM insult"
Says Cobb Was Justified.
Asked If he had made a report of the
New York incident to Ban Johnson, Mr..
Jennings said that he had, and that he
had also told him that Cobb was justl-
fed. and that he, knew several New
York men who would make affidavit
that the language of the spectator was
foul and insulting.
Canine Mack. manager of the Pbiladel-
phia team. said: II know from my own
experiences as a ball player that one gets
little sympathy from the grand stand
md far less from the bleachers. and
some Of the things a big league player
is forced to listen to make ones blood
boil in resentment; yet | think they can
adopt more telling tactics than by going
into the spectators reservations and deal
ing out summary punishment"
The fact that players of the Detroit
team have sent a telegram to President
Johnson declaring their intention tc
mutiny was verified by Manager Jen-
nings of the Tigers. who said that the
telegram had been signed by all the
members of his team except himself.
In discussing the sensational and un-
usual action Of the Tigers Manager Jen-
nings said:
THE players of the Detroit team take
the ground that the penalty inflicted
upon Cobb because he defended himself
from an unwarranted attack by a rooter
in New York was uncalled for ann
unjust.
They considered at the worst they
should have received only a fine. Under
the rules of the Players Protective AS
sociation all the players agree to stand
together. This is n case where the
Detroit players consider that they are
called upon to stand up for the rights
of a fellow member of the cam.
Asks Delay in Action.
II wired President johnson not to
take any action in the case until he
a heard the evidence which we will
present, this evidence including a large
number of affidavits of persons who saw
the entire affair. The ultimatum of the
Detroit players was wired to President
johnson today. We understand that he
is now on his way to Cincinnati, and a
telegram was sent to him in that CITY,"
1t is rumored late tonight that the
Athletics have ollowed the example of
the Detroits and rave announced that
they will not play on Saturday unless
ny Cobb is restored to good standing.
Every American League Club now In the
east has been appealed to and a meet
ing of players will be held here next
Sunday to form a players protective
association.
The players, while admitting that
Cobb made a mistake. are insistent that
the magnates afford them the protection
that is accorded to every other profess
sional performer on the stage. Theatre
tickets are sold universally and, they
say. with the proviso that if the holder
violates the conditions imposed upon
him he will be removed.
At baseball games. they say, no such
practise is followed and maudlin fans
can roast and insult the players beyond
the point of human endurance.
Suspension Upwarranted.
Hugh Jennings, the famous manager
of the Detroit Club, was found at the
Hotel Aldine last night and gave out the
following statement:
lnt suspeISlOh was not WHTTanIeu.
I am in the hands OF my friends. If
they refuse to play | will finish away
down in the league race. ] expect MI.
Johnson to reconsider the matter, fine
Cobb or announce definitely the length
of bis suspension
The mutiny of the Tigers against the
authority Of Ban johnson Is one of the
biggest sensations In baseball In recent
years. Never before has a team of ball
players dared to question the authority
or Judgment of President Johnson. For
that matter, even the cub-owners have
been very chary of criticising the Amer
lean League executive.
1t is not considered likely that Mr..
johnson viii accede to the wishes of the
Tigers, according to one of the cham
pions' officials, who did not want to be
quoted. Mr.. johnson has ruled with an
iron hand for nearly twelve seasons.
The officials of the Athletics were
greatly excited over the action of the
Tigers, although they declined to discuss
II IN advance of action by President
johnson
Aoked Rooter to Desist.
Cobb. in discussing the incident. gave
his version of the affair last Wednesday
as follows:
THE New York rooter who got after
ne Wednesday is the same man who has
ade 1t unpleasant for me in that city
a lore. lie has continually picked me
out as the object for his insulting re-
marks. One day last summer | remon-
strated with the man. / pointed out to
him that ] was out there on the field