The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-28
Official Word From Fraternity
to Players That They Can
sign Their Contracts.
nARTZELL RUMOR SPIKED
ltility Man Thanks Farrell for
Raise I'm Salary and Will
Report for Duty.


Fraternity and the minor leagues has been
removed according to a statement issued
by David l.. Fultz. president of the
fraternity. last night Several days ago
Fultz issued orders to all minor league
players to refuse to sign contracts for this
year until the National Association of
Minor Leagues had removed n sixty days
su.u,usion clause from all contracts This
clause had been inserted in spite of the
au,tble agreement reached by the
fraternity with organized baseball in Gin
cIuu.di on January :. Fultz raised the
ban yesterday. explaining his reasons in
this way.
For the last two days the Baseball
PLAYERS Fraternity has been In commune
cation with Mr. Barrow. president OF the
International League, who Is also acting
iut the Pacific Coast League: MIR Chiv-
mgtou OF the American Association and
Judge Kavanaugh. president Of the South
I'm Association. also empowered to act
Tor the Western League and In assured by
these gentlemen that their understanding
nf the disposition made of the side agree
W,nt clause at Cincinnati il the same as
tha, entertained by Mr.. Hermann and
myself
We have been assured that all con-
tracts signed by players In these leagues
will be subject to the provision already
Inserted by the National Commission in
the major league contracts so far as the
clause suspending the player is concerned
lso that contracts signed i'm the future
will nave the clause stricken out ire
spcctive of what action the National Asso-
,ldt.oU takes.
Although the association still persists
n its arbitrary and dlshonorable stand.
rather than further embarrass the gentle
men named, who have been absolutely
fair I'm all their dealings with us. we are
notifying our members that the objection
To signing contracts is withdrawn
letter from Roy Hartzel spking the
chicago rumor that he had opened nego-
tiatious with the Federal League was re-
ceived by President Farrell of the New
York Americans yesterday. liartzell's
letter was mailed in Denver on January
Il. He wrote follows:
Your terms accepted and contract re-
ceived. ! will sign, and report NJ Hot
springs, Ark, on February 10. Thank
you for the raise in salary. | will sure
play my best to earn II. The best OF luck
10 you and the club this year
THAT ought to settle IT," said Farrell as
h. placed the letter on file. 'Hartzell is
'n honorable fellow. who always has been
loyal and hard working. If the Federals
Nncw him as well as do they wouldn't
involve his name in such wild rumors."
Although the annual schedule meeting
Of tn" National League has been called
Tor February 10 in this city IL was
earned yesterday that several club
owners ~ President Tener's circuit are
age t' hold q special Cuufcrenc" at
once Charles W yhb Murphy VI the Cubs
- the leader in this respect, Murphy
thinks that the club owners should get
together at once FOR the purpose OF talk
ing over the situation and to make plans
for the immediate future Other mag
mates who are supporting Murphy In his
contention say that the league AS a body
should consult with counsel az to the ad-
visibility of instituting legal proceed
ings.
The maGnates seem to think that dam
age suits can be brought against such
men as Tinker. knabe Mordecai Brown
and several Federal League promoters
or that the time is ripe for asking the
courts to restrain the Fed managers from
tampering with players under contrac,
o. held by the option clause. 1t was
said yesterday that the ACCESSIBILITY Of
raing n special meeting of the league
uad been left to the discretion Of Pres
idsnt Tener and that he would make a
decision within the next twenty-four
hours.
Underground Information was received
here from Chicago yesterday that some
hing OF vital Importance regarding the
future OF the Federal League was in the
wind. II was said that Charles Weegh-
nan. the Chicago Fed promoter, nigh,
have an announcement to make on Sat
prday. According to the tip that came
over the long distance telephone to a Ger.
tain baseball man Weeghman, week
tgo last Saturday. notified the other Fed
"ral League promoters that he would
give them two weeks to show some
hing" in each of the cities outside u
MS own. The fact that Federal League
rars are still at a standstll in Toronto
Buffalo Pittsburg, Indianapolis and Kan
sas City, regarding the engagement 81
major league players, has prompted thu
~umor that Weeghman will have some
'b,ng of interest to say when the tim,
limit has expired
Before leaving for Boston yesterda,
Joseph J. Lannin, president Of the Rec
SoN announced that he had signed OF
le'opted the terms of practically all tn,
men on his payroll.
1t !s true that some OF our player.
we're approached by the Federals." saic
l.annin, but AZ they will receive Fed
.ral League salaries from the Boston
club they have no grievances. The Fed
cannot live. They are contracting to pa,
salaries greater than those in organized
,aschall, yet they have five minor League
.fI'~ in their circuit and are going Il
l.,s 81, cent ball. Seems to me they laci
>u'llrncr and need much fatherly ad
vice."
Word comes from Florida that Johi
Ners, the Cubs manager, has signed
Tommy Leach, Art Phelan and Left!
Pierce also that he has reached al
agrrcment with Wilbur Good. Evers say
that all OF the Cubs will report at Tampa
heAt month.
since THE SUN published on Monda!
list Of major league players who hat
not signed contracts with organized ball
these men have sewed themselves vi
with their old employers: Leach. Phelal
and Pierce OF the Cubs. Snodgrass OF tn
Giants. Devore Of the Phillies. Boehllng o
the Senators and Russell Of tho Whit
SoN.
Jean Ford, a brother Of Russell Ford
has signed to pitch for the Edmonton clul
In the Western Canada League.
Jack Knight. sold by the New Yorl
Americans to tho Toledo club last month
has been resold to the Cleveland Maps ant
has received q contract from z.
NM ~