The Washington times., 1913-12-09
PL LAYERS DEMANDS
WILL BE GRANTED
Reserve Clause Only Issue Over Which National League Will
BaIk-An Will Be Given Chance to Voice Opinions
Says Chairman Garry Hermann
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9.-That the de-
mands of the Baseball Players Fra
ternity will be granted by the magnates
in every particular save those encroach
ing upon the reserve clause, can be
pcasily believed after a minutes talk
with the horde OF baseball men swarm
ing the corridors of the Waldorf at the
annual meeting of the National League.
The National Commission. consisting OF
Chairman August Hermann, Ban john
son and John X. Tener, is most willing
to satisfy the demands of the players
in every WY that will not weaken the
structure of the national game.
The National League will discuss
every demand made by the players.
said Garry Hermann today. 1t will
be a most democratic meeting, every
magnate being allowed to voice his
opinion of eevry part Of the players
manifesto. After thorough discussion
has shown the attitude of the league
In eevry particular, President Tener will
be instructed as 10 his vote on the ma
tional commission.
Demands Can't Be Granted.
.aThe magnates of organized baseball
know that some of the players de-
mands cannot be granted. Indeed, /
doubt il there will be much discussion
as to some of the demands. III the
players desire to weaken the reserve
clause they will be told forcefully that
the reserve clause is the Keystone OF
the entire structure. We can't afford
to break down the safeguards of the
game. That's all this means.
THE players have asked for uncon-
ditional release at the expiration of
ten years service. They have asked
that players not rendered regular con-
tracts at the end of the probationary
period be given unconditional release.
They ask that players released from
major league teams to minor league
teams suffer no cut in salary. Now it
Is practically impossible for organized
baseball to agree to these demands.
Indeed. we have every hope of explain
ing our position to Mr.. Fultz, president
Of the Players Fraternity. He was
player once himself and should under
stand conditions.
without the reserve clause. baseball
will degenerate inside of five years.
The costly ball parks will be tenant
less. The fans VIII have no game 20
watch. What is more important to the
player, his big salary will be gone. No
club in the corntry, not even those IN
New York and Chicago. will be able to
i fight against the constant mounting Of
salary and falling off at the gate.
Will Be Scramble.
IF the players do away with the re-
| serve clause, there will be scramble
for the star players every year or so.
| For q while they will benefit by this
light. But all the stars of today will
; soon be gathered in the cities best
! able TO pay them. The other cities
| will lose. Interest will die and soon
the league will collapse Then those
very same players will have no salaries
| at all.
| Baseball without the reserve clause has
been tried and found wanting. 1t does
| not work. The game has flourished only
since the clause was added to the con-
tracts. The players salaries have kept
| pace with the Improvement in the ma
tional game. The big grandstands have
! cost large sums of money, but the
| money has come through the gate, and
the player, as we'll as the magnate. has
| benefited
Now the players want to endanger
all this They want to take chances
with the future. They are mostly young
men who have not been through the old
| time conditions They believe that they
| are not being treated properly. How
| ever the maGnates are more than will
ing to deal with them fairly, explaining
| the real condition of affairs.
Well Go Smoothly.
..If the players will listen to reason
and come half way, everything will 20
along smoothly. Most of their demands
will be granted without murmur. but
IL they insist on cutting the roots of the
tree they will have to fight FOR the
| chance. Organized baseball must pre-
serve its swn life"
| With Ban johnson here, the national
commission is expected to meet tomor-