New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-23
TIMELY BITS OF SPORT
" Cobb Case Not One for the
Players Fraternity.
50 SAYS ITS PRESIDENT
Frank Chance Says Senators
Are Likely To Be in Race
All the Way.

The Baseball Players Fraternity will
,.ts no action in the controversy be-
tween Ty Cobb and the Detroit club I'M
less requested TO do so. and then only
as mediator David L. Fultz. president
Of the fraternity. said yesterday that he
regarded the question as purely a bust
ness transaction between Cobb and
President Navin. and that it was not
only unfair but silly TO attack the fra
ternity for not settling it,
we have pledged the organization to
have every reasonable obligation in the
contracts Of players lived up to by both
contracting parties" added Mr.. Fultz.
and we shall do all within our power
70 see that the contract with the player
is not violated But enforcing a contract
after it is made is a different matter
from attempting 10 dictate to others what
the terms of their contract shall be.
This whole affair is a private matter
between Cobb and Mr.. Navin; there are
no legal obligations resting on either
party. Cobb has right TO value his
services at $4,000 or $4,000 as he
chooses. and Mr. Navin has a right TO
nav IL or not. just as he sees fit
Should Mr.. Navin and Cobb desire the
Offices Of the fraternity in the settlement
Of this difference we should be very glad
to do what we could, but any attempt TO
bring pressure to bear upon either party
would not only be a violation OF our by
laws, but would be contrary to the fun
damental purpose of the organization"
Before leaving for Philadelphia to tackle
the Athletics Frank Chance. who had seen
his men lose four straight games to the
Washington team. had the following TO
say Of the Senators on the request of Tom
Kirby, Of The Washington Post:
1T would be foolish 10 attempt TO dis
parage Griff's club. can tell you of hun
dreds Of cases where teams played ahead
Of their stride for weeks and months. only
to settle back when class told. When l
came into the league ] thought that per-
hsps Washington had this sort of club
and that its showing last summer was
more luck than anything else.
But ! have changed my opinion. Mind
YOU. am not conceding the pennant to the
Nationals. Athletics. Red Sox or any other
team, but do think that Washington has
great outfit. and one that never will be
out Ct the running.
Luck may cut I'm and offset all sorts Of
good work, but Griff has the men, and the
dub will he heard from before quits are
called next fall"
This is high praise from the Peerless
Leader"
This from a reader Of The Tribune
The Superbas play a good game Of ball,
and would have an excellent chance for
the pennant II IT were not necessary to hit
the ball"
G. ". Kirby. the oxford rowing coach,
will sail from England on May and eX-
poets 10 arrive here on May 10. two weeks
earlier than at first planned. He is COM
ing TO help Averell r. Hartman develop
the Yale crew. Harcourt Gold and J. r.
McLageon will follow later. The latter
is one Of the most successful Oxford cox
swains Of recent years.
Charles Webb Murphy has not had his
name in the papers for several days, so
some one around Chicago started the
rumor that the president Of the Cubs VIII
sell out at the close of this season, unless
he team finishes well up in the race, and
retire millionaire.
Murphy could quit the game all right
and no doubt live the life OF millionaire
with the money Frank Chance earned for
him. but the Cubs under Evers are not
likely 10 finish near the bottom OF the
heap. and Murphy is not likely 10 leave
baseball fat
Richard de Marquis. alias Rube Mar
guard. the star southpaw OF the Giants,
was twenty-four years old yesterday.
Hughie Jennings, manager of the De-
tToit Tigers, is quoted as saying:
We don't need Ty Cobb. and he is just
losing a days pay for every day he re-
mains hold-out."
Sounds almost funny. Cobb. by the
way, will meet President Navin in De-
troit tomorrow 10 talk over his case.
Mclaughlin and