Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-05
By Sam Crane.

NEW YORK, Nov 5.--For the
~ good Of all concerned in the
coming controversy between
the National Commission, club own
ers and the Baseball Players Fra
ternity when the latter presents its
demands for reforms looking to the
players interests, it is fortunate that
second thought has convinced some Of
the magnates that it will be the bet
ter plan to allow the fraternity to be
represented by Lawyer David l..
Fultz. whom they have elected the
president Of their organization,
rather than TO ignore him and his Of
fetal status
Professional baseball players are
extremely touchy on many things,
but on none more than to he refused
recognition In the way they them
| selves select
individually the players are always
at a loss as to how to voice their
grievances They can get together
and talk over their troubles. real or
imaginary, with great gusto and with
| reasonable arguments, but they are
doubtful of the ability OF any of their
number to so present their arguments
In the forceful way they think is nee
essary to give the magnates a correct
idea Of what they want in the way of
reforms.
Would Arouse Enmity.
They have in meeting assembled
seen At to elect President Fultz as
their leader and mouthpiece in the
present crusade. and not only would
| II be an injustice to them for the Ma
! tional Commission to refuse to recog-
| nize him, but II would also tend to
| antagoniZe the members OF the fra
| ternity at the very start of the pro-
| ceedings and therefore install feel
| ing Of enmity that would be very EN-
| barraSsing and entirely foreign to the
| spirit of fairness and friendliness that
! should prevail and which seems to he
| the inclination of both parties, ac-
| Cording TO all reports.
| When the brotherhood in the fall OF
| 1889 took up the cudgels to promote
! reform for the players John NJ Ward
who was studying law, was the head
| OF That organization, with James
! ORourlSe. also q law student if not
already admitted TO the bar, as Ward $
able lieutenant, They were both fully
! capable of presenting their demands
-
Owners Taken Unawares.
! The club owners were loath to be
heVe that the players would 20 TO ex-
! tremes and the launching OF the
| Players League in 500 caught the
magnates of the National League to-
| tally unprepared. There was no Ma
tlonal Commission then-only the one
league 20 contend against. The sud
den onslaught Of the players came
very near wrecking the too confident
club owners. II did wreck several In
/ dlNdual magnates, notiCeably Johr
Il. Day, who was considered by the
revolving players as their best friend
among the owners, and was offered
the chance to get on the brotherhood
band wagon before Ii was too late
| But Mr. Day refused TO believe that
he could not influence enough OF his
star players to protect his interests
aud was not convinced until he found
there were no traitors among the
players he most desired to remain
with him when money to a fabulous
amount was placed on a table in front
OF them,
Such players as Ward O'Rourke
Roger Common, Buck Ewing, George
Gore, Tim Keefe and others spurned
the most munificent offers to quit the
brotherhood and renounce the princi.
pies they we're fighting for. but none
OF that sturdy. honest bunch ever
flickered.
Players Lost No PRESTIGE.
That the Players League was not q
success does not reflect on the play.
ers' intentions or ideas OF right anC
wrong, as they thought mistal<,
VAS made In the selection OF certain
hackers. who proved to be weak,
hneed and with spongy spines, but tn,
, players themselves lost no prestige b,
the advancement OF their ideas o,
needed reforms; in fact. although de-
teated they gained much that they
demanded and the players OF to- dsy
are deriving the benefit
Whether those players who ar,
making the present crusade are sucr
+, good fighters as those OF nearly q
, quarter Of century ago ! have No
way 81 knowing but as it has beer
j published that some OF them fear &c