New-York tribune., 1914-12-21
Baseball Fraternity
Makes New Requests

To Us UCllGhtls NtIlNtl OIEdllhtQ udl4
nor the players contemplated.
"Sucn guarantee as we ask is Al
ready IN operation as far as major
league released players are concerned.
The reasons for this legislation are
equally as strong in favor Of similar
legislation for the minor leagues
Request g. The reasoning APP
phcable 70 Request | applies 20 a great
extent TO this request. At present we
flnd club with title 10 a players ser
vices, still playing its schedule Of
games, preventing him by virtue Of its
ownership from playing with any other
club, irrespective Of how many may
want him. yet refusing 10 put him TO
work or pay his salary. For instance,
the past season a number OF players
were drafted by major league clubs
from Class ID clubs. The seasons Of
many Of these clubs are over as early
as September Q. which means that the
player must lie idle for nearly a
month, although other clubs which
would put him 10 work Immediately
filed drafts for him.
Especially does this seem unfair in
the case Of recalled players who have
a bona fde contract with the recalling
club. the period Of which has not yet
expired, and without which IL would
not have the right TO recall him.
Question of Future Salary.
Request 4. When a player is
released to another club it would seem
that he should be given an idea at
least Of what his future salary is TO
be. In many cases time is lost be-
fore the player learns the slightest
thing regarding this point, and we
submit that at the time Of his release
a figure should be stated which would
al least form q basis for negotiation.
"Iu many cases the player is told
that his salary is to be a certain hg-
ure, and when he reaches the pur-
chasing club il refuses to pay the
amount, thus causing friction and hard
feeling at the outset.
"A written statement would avoid
Misrepresentation by the releasing
manager and would prevent, to d great
degree, delay in the players reporting
when transferred.
REQUEST 5. In some cases the
player, when transferred, is not IN
position to advance travelling eX-
penses and is told TO await word from
the purchasing club, thus causing de-
lay in reporting.
Diligence in Reporting.
"We believe that a player should re-
port with reasonable diligence and that
this requirement. as we'll as the one
asked for in request No. 4, would FUR
ther this end. The benefit of this re
ouirement is already realized ny the
II Tor leagues. and legislation 10 TINS
end has already been passed. There
is no such legislation, however apph-
cable % minor leagues.
The construction we ask 20 have
placed upon the words travelling eH-
penses' we believe Is the one already
placed upon the words by most, but
not all, Of the owners.
Request 6. We think II is only
fair 10 both parties that a definite
length of time be fixed within whlch
the PLAYER must start TO join the pur-
chasing club, not delaying hls depart
tre upon any preteXt, but, on the other
hand. we think ne should have reason.
able time to arrange his affairs. j
tbore were a recognized length of time
allowed we believe the player would
conform TO il and thus do away with a
source Of much friction.
Renew Old Request
REQUEST 7. At the Cincinnati
Conference last January and prior
thereto we were under the impression
that a granting Of this concession would
place too great a hardship upon the
minor leagues, and so did not present
the request. We have since learned,
however, that the practice already eN-
listed in almost all the minor league
clubs. and the concession granted us,
therefore. works 10 our disadvantage.
1--WE have in our possession state
ments from representatives on prac-
tically every team in the Class "A and
Glass A clubs showing that this custom
has existed for several years, except IN
Kansas City and Baltimore. Our re
quest asks for no new concession, Dut
simply that the advantages be guaran-
teed the players in all cases. rather
than leaving il 10 the disposition OF
each particular owner, who must neces-
sarily be actuated by his own interest
Uniform Contracts.
at is our object, and we believe II
is the object Of you gentlemen, TO get
the contracts as nearly uniform as pos
sible. so that neither party can take
an unfair advantage Of the other. We
believe if this point were cleared up
definitely. and not left TO the uncer-
tain condition in which it now is, much
would be accomplished toward remov-
ing causes for contention between
managers and players.
Request O. During the last sea-
son many Of the managers have made
no provision for written notices of re-
lease. and others, while attempting TO
comply with the agreement, have not
given the players the proper informa-
tion. All Of this uncertainty could be
avoided By forms Of notice similar 10
the ones in use in the international
League last season"