Evening star., 1913-12-09
ATHLETICS IN BOLT
Don't Like Players Fraternity
Demands and Quit Body.
ACTION. is UNANIMOUS
Appreciate Kindness of Manager
Mack and Will Stick
to Him. -

NEW YORK, December "a bombshell
was thrown into the ranks of the Base
Ball Players Fraternity yesterday when
it became known that the worlds cham
pion Athletics as a body had practically
deserted the organization in it's struggle
to obtain numerous concessions from the
major and minor leagues. 1t was learned
that the Athletics, all of whom are men,
bers Of the fraternity. had refused point
blank to subscribe their names to the list
Of seventeen demands drafted by David
l.. F>ultz, president of the fraternity.
When the Athletics became members of
the fraternity they made 1t clear that If
the organization attempted to carry out a
plan that might prove detrimental to the
interests Of their manager, Connie Mack,
they would not indorse 1t. When Fultzs
list of demands therefore was sent to the
Athletics recently the players turned it
down on the ground that they had no
grievances and that it would be grossly
Team Stands Firm.
There was no exception to the rule
Every member of the worlds champions
stood firm. thereby showing the remark
able influence that Mack exerts over his
players. With the Athletics opposed tc
the fraternity's present attitude toward
organized base ball it is believed that
many players under reserve to the fifteen
other major league clubs will decide soon
to return to their old employers.
There are many kickers In the ranks of
the players who have backed up Fultz
in his demands. but there are also other
men who are satisfied with present con-
ditions and have merely paid their dues
to avoid serious friction with their team
mates.
The fraternitys demands will be passed
upon formally at todays session of the
National League at the Waldorf-Astoria,
and If the matter is disposed of quickly
1t Is barely possible that the national
commission will meet here tomorrow to
take final action, instead of pOstponing
deliberations until the annual meeting I'm
Cincinnati next month. 1t was said yes
terday that President Johnson of the
American League and Chairman Herr
mann of the commission already had
made up their minds how to dispose OF
the fraternity's case, and that If Gov.
Tener, who will be elected president of
the National League today. is ready for
business tomorrow, the seventeen de-
mands will be disposed of finally.
To Refuse Some Demands.
demands will be granted. but that the
requests involving the reserve rule and
the sale of players from major to minor
leagues will be turned down summarily.
That will put the case squarely up to
President F>ultz and the leaders of the
fraternity.
The major leaguers do not fear collu-
sion between the fraternity and the Fed
League.
identified with organized ball predicted
yesterday that the Federal League would
find it impossible to establish clubs In
Cleveland. Buffalo and Baltimore. They
said that the so-called outlaws might
achieve partial success in Kansas City
and Indianapolis, where the American
Association has clubs, but as for whole
sale raid on the major and minor leagues
for playing talent. leading base ball men
declare that the Federals could not raise
sufficient amount of money to induce
players to leave their old clubs.
The action Of the Athletics was con-
firmed last night by Chairman Hermann
Of the national commission. when he was
asked IL the story was true.