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

NTEW YORK. Nov. 5.-For the
v 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 be refused
recognition in the way they them
selves select
Individually the players are always
at 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 correct
idea of what they want in the way of
reforms.
Would Arouse Enmity.
They have In meeting assembled
seen fit to elect President F'ultz as
their leader and mouthpieCe In the
present crusade, and not only would
It be an injustice to them for the Ma
tional Commission to refuse to reCog-
niZe him. but il would also tend to
antagonize the members of the fra
ternity at the very start of the pro-
ceedings, and therefore install q 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 be
the inclination of both parties, ac-
cordlng 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
O'Rourke, also law student, If not
already admitted to the bar, as Wards
able lieutenant. They were both fully
capable of presenting their demands
TO the magnates, but We're laughed at.
Owners Taken Unawares.
The club owners We're loath to be-
lieve that the players would go to ex-
tremes, and the launching of the
Players League in 1890 caught the
magnates OF the National League to-
tally unprepared. There was no Ma
tional Commission then-only the one
league to contend against The sud
den onslaught OF the players came
very near wrecking the too confident
club owners. 1t did wreck several in
dividual magnates, notiCeably John
b, Day, who was considered by the
revolving players as their best friend
among the owners, aud was offered
the chance TO get on the brotherhood
band wagon before IL was too late
But Mr. Day refused to believe that
he could not influence enough OF his
star players TO protect his interests.
/ and was not convinced until he found
! there were no traitors among the
PLAYERS he most desired 10 remain
4 with him when money TO a fabulous
I amount was placed on a table in front
| of them.
| such players rs Ward. ORourkc.
/ Roger Cunuor Buck Ewing, George
/ Gore, Tim Keefe and others spurned
! the most munihcent offers to quit the
/ brotherhood and reuouuce the princi-
/ pies they we're lighting for but none
! Of that sturdy. honest bunch even
/ HiChercd
! Players Lost No Prestige.
| That the Players League was not q
| success does not reflect on the play
! erS intentions or ideas Of right and
/ wrong, as they thought 4 mistake
/ was made I'm the selection of certain
/ hackers. who proved TO be weak
. kneed aud with spongy spines. but the
/ players themselves lost no prestige by
/ The advancement of their ideas of
/ needed reforms, in fact. although de
/ feated they gained much that they
! demanded and the players OF to-day
/ are deriving the benefit
! Whether those players who are
| making The present crusade are such
/ good fighters AS those of nearly a
/ quarter u[ "a century ago. I have no
/ Way of knowing bat az il mas been
! published that some Of them fsar 10