Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-06
BY Sam Crane.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5.-For the
~ good Of all concerned in the
coming controversy between
the National Commi sslon, club own
ers and the Baseball Players Fra
ternity. when tho latter presents it's
demands for reforms looking to the
players interests, it is fortunate that
second thought has convinced some Of
the magnates that 1t 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
ncial 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
az 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 tit to elect President F'ultE as
their leader and mouthpiece in the
present crusade and not only would
1t be an injustice to them for the Ma
tional Commission TO refuse to recog-
nize him, but it would also tend TO
antagonize the members of the fra
ternlty at the very start of the pro-
ceediugs. and therefore Install feel
ing of enmity that would he very EN-
barrassing and entirely foreign to the
spirit Of fairness and friendliucss that
should prevail and which seems to be
the inclination of both parties, ac-
cording to all reports.
When tho 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 a law student, II not
already admitted to the bar. as Wards
able lieutenant They were both fully
capable of presenting their demands
to the magnates, but were laughed at.
Owners Taken Unawares.
The club owners were 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 unpTepared, There was no Ma
ional Commission then---only the one
league to contend against. The sud
den onslaught OF the players came
very near wreckinE the too confident
club owners. II did wreck several in
diVidual magnates, noticeahly John
| x, Day. who was considered hy the
revolving players as their best friend
| among the owners, and was offered
| the chance 10 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 10 protect his interests.
and was not convinced until he found
| there were no traitors among the
| players he most desired to remain
with him when money TO Il fabulous
amount was placed on a table in front
! OF them
Such players as Ward. O'Rourkc,
Roger Conner, Buck Ewing, George
Gore, Tim Keefe and others spurned
| brotherhood and renounCe the princi-
pies they were flght!ng for, but none
| Of that sturdy. honest bunch even
| tiickcred
Players Lost No Prestige.
THAI the Players League was not a
success does not reflect on the play
| ers' intentions or ideas Of right and
wrong. ss they thought A mistake
was made iu the selection Of certain
hackers, who proved TO hs weak,
kneed and With sponsy spines. but the
players themselves lost no priest lge bN
| the advancement OF their IDEAS o'
needed reforms, i'm fact, although de.
feated they gained much that they
demanded and the PLAYERS OF TO-DAY
are deriving the benefit
Il Whether those PLAYERS who are
making the present crusade are such
good fighters as those OF nearly 4
quarter Of q century ago. ! have nc
way % knowing hut IS 30 has beer
published that some OF Them fear &c