Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-31
STAND AND PETITION
 OF PLAYERS FEDERATION.
President FuItz Says Demands Are Fair and Anticipates Fair Treatment.


 In a resume of the stand and peti- ton of the Baseball Players Fedora ton which is to be considered by the national commission at Cincinnati next week. President David L. Fultz of the players organization states:
 The petition of the Baseball Play CTS Fraternity, signed by about 300 members was presented to the national commission and the national board on November s. As was announced seV- eral days ago Q conference will take place in Cincinnati on January at which the fraternity will be represent ed by it's officers. John P. Henry, Jacob F. Daubert. Ray W. Collins, John E. Miller Edward M. Reulbach and myself. In connection with this peti- ton 1t has been stated that we have adopted the wrong procedure; that we should have presented our peti. tion to each league individually and that we would have to start all over again.
 Process Correct.
 "These criticisms, however. were made by those who did not take the trouble to inform themselves regard- ing baseball legislation. Article VIII. section l. of the National agreement reads in part as follows:
 All contracts between clubs and players in the major leagues shall be in form prescribed by the commission. All contracts between clubs and play CTS in the national association shall be in form prescribed by the association.
 "As the relation between the play CTS and owners is purely contracutal, it is easily seen that the commission and the board are the only proper bodies for us to appeal to and that had we attempted to get relief from any other source, we would have been decidedly out of order and would very 11,1r c-i Ja+y-e eS5.lya
 '"The criticism is also made that our requests, if granted, would involve a revision of the national agreement. Even though this were the case it would be well worth the trouble. Any legislative enactment winch unneces- sarily abridges the rights of one group of persons for the benefit of another group Without any advantage accruing to theS3 body polite should be done away with at no matter what cost.
 National Agreement Will Stand.
 "Nothing of this kind, however, need be involved As far as we are con cerned. the national agreement may stand just as il is. An agreement with us granting, our requests and pr0Vid- ing that it takes precedence over any thing to the contrary wherever found in baseball legislation, will be all that is necessary to carry the changes into effect. The owners may make such changes in their various enactments as are deemed necessary at their pleasure.
 Other reports say that organized baseball will delay decision on our re- quests Indefinitely and eventually per haps. shcIyc them altogether. Any such action seems to US very unlikely. Nothing would be accomplished by de lay as the situation would eventually have to be faced, The play CTS most assuredly would not relish being ig- nored and their attitude would he made even more determined and perhaps somewhat erubittcred Aside from this consideration, we believe that organiz- ed ball is inclined 10 be fair and 10 meet the players half way. Our re- quests are equitable and were framed after a great deal of careful considera- ton.
 Demands Are Fair.
 I've have not viewed the situation entirely from the players standpoint but have tried to look at it from all angles. Apparent hardships upon the players, which we deemed necessary for the ma intenapce of the game. such as the release clause and the reserve rule, we have left untouched, except the latter rule in the case of veteran players.
 II is a matter of great qualification to us 10 witness the attitude Of many leading baseball men toward our pe- tition. If reports can be relied upon, it has been pronounced acceptable by Mir. Hermann and Mir. Johnson, two members of the commission; and while Governor Tener, the third member, has not expressed an opinion, we have 10 fears regarding the stand he will take As we have no reason to doubt the sin cerity of any of these gentlemen in this matter we feel very confident that the adjustment will be satisfactory to all concernend and that numerous causes of friction heretofore existing between tie owners and players will be done away with for good and all"