The Washington herald., 1912-08-13

Capt. Mcbride in Favor Of
Fraternal Organization
Such an Order Could Pile Up Reserve Fund Which
Could be Used for lncapacitated Players.
Mutual Benefit an Object.

Ptttsburg, Pa, Aug I2-The new base
ball players union formed in New York
came up for quite a discussion during a
tanning bee on the train. George Nc
Bride and John Henry were the dele
gates from the Washington Club and
when asked for a statement on the
union, Mcbride gave The Washington
| Herald the following exclusive story:
| BY GEORGE MCBRIDE,
Captain and shortstop of the Washington Club
| An organization of professional base
| ball players members Of the clubs COM
| posing the two major organizations, Is
in the formation. 1t is confronted with
thousand and one problems of detail
| and management, upon any one of which
the fate of the organization may hinge.
/ have been asked TO give my views on
| the subject. and to express an opinion
regarding the merits of such an organi-
zation. its aims and ambitions, and its
probable chance of surviving the numer-
GUS baseball doctors. who will have a
hand in the bringing 1t into being.
In the first place, ] have no grievance
against organized baseball. its managers,
its magnates or its principles. Since the
first day in which l earned my living as
a professional baseball player. l have
been we'll treated. I had my usual ap-
pfeHtCesnlp IN the minor leagues, anu
my first tryout in the majors. I was
sent back for more seasoning, and 1t did
me good. When / came back again 20
the majors, / was given a salary that
satisfied me, and in return have tried to
give the cub every ounce Of my strength
and ability. And when I am through.
and a younger man takes my place.
will have no protest. for in baseball the
race is 10 the fastest and the survival
of the fittest prevails.
Is UnpreIudiced.
So | can write OF the subject with an
unprejudiced mind, having no axes to
grind either way.
I believe the average baseball player
is well treated, and his good tratment
continues just as long as lie returns the
compliment to his club. II he breaks
training he is disciplined. Just the same
as any man in any other walk Of life
suffers The reserve clause in his con-
tract is necessary to the upbuilding of
good clubs, for no fast baseball organi-
zation can be welded into shape in less
than three years. Without the reserve
clause baseball would be chaos. So no
organization of players should attempt TO
tamper with the contract.
Mutual BENEFIT an object.
Mutual benefit, in my estimation. should
be the object of a players fraternal or
Ganization. 1t would be suicide to align
our organization with labor unions. l
believe a solid organization of players,
working in harmony with the club own
eTs. and having certain Jurisdictions over
its members could do great good 1t
could force players to treat the mana
gers and owners right, as well as adopt
measures to correct the few instances
-g,n ,ia..
the magnates. In other words II could
act as a buffer between the two classes.
and by absolutely insisting upon its own
members living up to their agreements
with the clubs and with the organization.
could do a great deal to simplify many
arguments.
The players orga MIA ton should have a
representative in each club, a man who
could enforce the rules as far as his
own club was concerned. in minor mat
ters. and also bring III. attention OF the
executive heads Of ;h- OrganiZauts t.
any grievances suffered either by play
ers o. magnates.
Does Not Advocate Union
"fraternal organiza zion Such an or
ganization, properly administered. could
soon pile up a neat reserve fund for the
use OF FORMER metnhers VINO might De
come inCapa citated through injuries or
old age. and need financial assistance
from their former comrades. Il could
finance a home for aged players. and
avoid the paragraphs we often see in IN"
newspapers now about great stars Of Il
bygone age diving in poverty.
l am with :he PLAYERS. tirst. last. ard
always. But l am in favor of solid.
and reasonable orEaniza-
ton. working in strict harmony. as Far
as possible with the club owners. for the
good OF the game and the players them
selves. / certainly believe the players
should have a representative on the
National Commission. and would greatly
favor David Fultz. the former New York
and Athletic star. for the place. His
legal training would be valuab ole asset.
This organization is the last step in base
han and the nna thing which will max.