South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-29

Asserts Criticism of Petition
Made by Those Not Inform
ed on Baseball LegiSIa-
ton.

NEW YORK. Dec. 29.-In a re-
sumo OF the stand and petition OF the
Baseball Players Federation. which
is to be considered by the National
commission at Cincinnati. week
from Monday, Pres. David l.. FuItz OF
the players organization, states:
The petition OF the Players Base
ball Fraternity signed by about 500
members was presented to the Ma
tiOnal commission and National board
on Nov. 8. 1t was announced several
days ago a conference VIII take place
IN Cincinnati on Jan. g., at which the
fraternity will be represented by its
officers, John u. Henry Jacob e
Daubert, Ray W. Collins, John b. Mil
Ter, Edward VI. Reulbach and myself.
In connection with this petition il has
been stated that We have adopted the
have presented our petition 10 each
league individually and that we would
have TO start all over again.
These criticisms however, were
made by those who did not take the
trouble TO inform themselves regard
ing baseball legislation. Article VIII
section 1 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 cotracts between clubs and play
ers IN National association shall be in
form prescribed by the association
"As the relation between the play
ers and owners is purely cOntractual
IS readily seen that the commission
and board are the only proper bodies
for us to appeal TO and that had we
attempted 10 get relief from any 9TH
er source, we would have been decid-
edly out of order and would very
probably have been side-tracked.
1.-The criticism is also made that
our requests il 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 which unnec-
essarily abridges the rights OF one
group Of persons for the benefit OF
another group without AMI adVant-
age accruing to the body polite
should be done away with at no mat
ter what cost.
Nothing of this kind however.
need be involved. AS far as we are
concerned, the national agreement
may stand just as it Is. An agree
ment with us granting our requests
and providing that it takes preced-
ence over anything to the contrary
wherever found in baseball legisla-
ton will be all that is necessary to
carry the change into effect. The
owners may make such conditions In
their various enactments as are deem
ed necessary to carry the changes
into effect. The owners may make
such conditions in their various en-
actments as are deemed necessary at
their pleasure.
Delay Seems Unlikely.
"Other reports say that organized
ball Will simply delay decision on our
reuues4s indefinitely and eventually
perhaps shelve them altogether. Any
such action seems 10 us very unlike
~. Nothing would be accomplished
by delay, as the situation would even
tuallv have TO be faced. The players
most assuredly would not relish be
ing ignored and their attitude would
be made even more determined anG
perhaps somewhat embittered- Aside
from this consideration we believe
that organized ball is inclined 10 be
fair and to meet the players half
way. our requests are equitable and
were framed after a great deal of
careful consideration.
I'VE have not viewed the situation
entirely from the players standpoint.
but lave tried 10 look at 1t from all
arqles Apparent hardships upon the
plavers which we deemed necessary
for the maintenance of the game such
as the release clause in the reserve
rule we have LETT untouched, except
the latter rule IN the case OF veteran
players.
at is a matter of great gratifica-
ton TO us TO witness the attitude OF
many OF the leading baseball men to-
ward our petition. II reports can be
relied upon IL has been pronounced
accountable by Mr.. Hermann ana MI.
johnson. two members OF the COM
mission. and while GOV. Tener. the
third member, has not yet expressed
an opinion we have no fears regard
ing the stand he will take. As we
have no reason 10 doubt the slncer-
~ of any OF these gentlemen IN TINS
matter. we feel very confident that
the adjustment will be satisfactory
70 ALI concerned and that numerous
causes OF friction heretofore existing
between the owners and players Will
be done away with for good and all.
At last the idea OF a regular base
hall school has passed from posi-
hfIit,r TO a reality Next Friday ChaF-
lev carr will formally open the doors
Of his baseball university at san An
tonic. Texas. for the matriculaton OF
those ambitious youngsters who de-
ssre 10 enter the big leagues via
route which they hope will entirely
eliminate the brush circuit For sew
eraI years such a baseball school mas
been talked over and many on the
leading big club managers have adVo-
Gated the plan. provided experienced
men were put in charge of the pro-
feet Carr appears TO have entered the
field thoroughly equipped. Tor ac-
rordfng 10 his prospectus. owen
Bush. Louis Criger. otto Williams
and other we'll known baseball play
ers viii compose the faculty. Inc