Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-29
ARE PLAYERS ADEQUATELY
PAID BY THE BIG MAGNATES1
Recent Case Of Tyrus Cobb's Demands
Front Detroit GLIB Raises Question
Of Salary and Treatment.

serve clause is the saving and perpetual
ing principle Of the sport as means OF
livelihood to the thousands who made its
exposition a profession. 1t is only neces-
sary to cite the revolt of the players In
1890. when the Brotherhood League was
organized. to prove the necessity of the
reserve clause. At that time the players
deemed this stipulation a hardship, as II
was forced upon them. whereas now they
agree to its protecting influence by sign
ing contracts that contain reserve
clause. The brotherhood movement was
also directed against a Limitation agree
ment among the club owners respecting
the salary that should be paid. The limit
was s. 400. or less than Ty Cobb demand
ed per month from the Detroit Club. The
kings Of the diamond in those days had
no other alternative than submit to the
salary limit 1t Is almost inconceivaDie
in the Sc days of immense salaries, wnen
even youngster from the lowest class
bush league demands $2,40O to think
that such men as Delahanty. Duffy
Kelly, ClarksCn. Nichols. Nash. Rusie
and a host of other stars OF that period,
which compared favorably with the pest
men of today, received only the salary
limit of 81. 900 or even less. The players,
who are mostly concerned. and the pub
lie are rot seeking the abolition of the
reserve clause in base ball. Both Know
that il is the very foundation OF the
game. from which the former OBTAIN
ter unlimited pleasure and recreation.
The only demand for its abolition is from
a very limited number of soreheads
investigation into the methods Of the So
styled base ball trust? Are the methods
pernicious are they inimtcal to the inter-
ests of the players? Are the players
slaves in the employ Of trust, DO not
they have any advantages, are their con-
tracts one sided, are they underpaid. are
they unfairly treated in any respect? Al
lowing for every exception TO the generai
rule We unhes.tatingly and emphaticaliy
answer no. This assertion is not based
ON a superficial knowledge of the game,
its players, their environments ana treat
ment but on positive and practcai IN
formation gained by an official connection
with a major league club for hve wears.
The base ball player of today Is better
paid than any other class of employees
in the country. The youngest players.
those Just seeking trial In the major
leagues, receive from 81 $50 to ~ OOO for
period of six months service. What COR
poration pays its great mass or employees
at the same rate? Only the executive
heads receive remuneration correspond
ing to that received by skilled base can
PLAYER Yet some disgruntled critics
would have the general pubic oeheve
that the average ball player Is underpaid.
What constitutes his hours or labor and
his general treatment? His hours durips
the morning when playing at home are
between $50 to about noon. He reports
about - O'Clock i'm the afternoon and plays
a game that ordinarily consumes two
hours. After that he is free until the
following morning at $50. When on the
road morning practice is omitted and his
only work is participation in an afternoon
game. What is his treatment? He rides
in special cars. Is lodged at the best
hotels at the expense Of the club. has at
his command the expert services OF a
trainer, has his baggage transported
without his personal supervision. IL in
jured or is taken sick on the road. re-
j ceiyes medical attention without personal
expense, and IL injured i'm the service of
his club receives his full salary for the
remainder of the playing year. To the
reader who is not familiar with the con-
ditions under which base ball players are
working we will permit them to answer
these questions for themselves. Are
they adequately paid and do they receive
fair treatment? Is their condition better
or worse than the average salary Garner?