The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-18


powers Of organized baseball that the
Baseball Players fraternity must be
crushed and crushed at once. Twice the
solons have met the union more than half
way and In 40 doing simply sto:ed Up
additional trouble for the promoters OF
the sport. President David l.. Fultz and
his board of strategy at a meeting m
this city Thursday drafted set of reso-
lutons for additional contract reforms,
which will he presented TO. the National
Commission and the National Associa-
ton, the governing heads OF major and
minor leagues respectively.
Futz and his associates have given no
inklng Of the character OF their most
recent assumed grievances. But that Is
neither here nor there. The National
Association and the National Commission
both are prepared TO turn down Nat
Futz and his organization. They feel
that to give any more ground would
be not only cowardly. but fatal A year
ago the fraternity. swearing eternal
friendship and loyalty TO organized base
ball. provided "A number OF requests Tor
reform were granted, expressed absolute
satisfaction with the favors. But, in the
otlnlou OF the y wers. the inch OF ground,
perhaps Justly surrendered at that time.
has reused the unions ambitions for II
foot additional
How will organized baseball curb the
frate-nItyr BY a very simple process
which has been discussed by the Netonn'
Commission the National Association and
The c'ub owners great and small OF or
ganlzed baseball. The subject furnished
welghty elaboration at an Informal base
bali conference IN the Waldorf-Astoria
the day after the close OF the world
series. To curb the growing discomfort
resulting from the expanding powers OF
the Baseball Players Fraternity 1t has
been proposed to suspend operations next
see son IN every protected league except
the American and National. In other
words. II a suggestion which was fostered
in the council room OF the National Com.
mission meets with the popular approval
OF the National Association board there
will be no such thing ms minor league
baseball in 1915,
such drastic action has passed much
further than the stage of loose talk
The presidents Of the class "A and class
\ leagues already have sounded their
club owners on the matter, and almost
without exception owners Of big minor
league clubs have assured absolute loyalty
to any extreme measure that may b."
necessary for the ultimate conservation
OF the game. There is little doubt that
leagues of smaller rating will offer serious
objection.
The campaign OF 1914 proved unusually
disastrous financially FOR the minor
leagues, great and small The Federal
League, which had a ruinous year itself.
created runous year for both the Inter
national League and the American Asso.
citation. Business conditions are go dull
generally that the Class "A circuits would
welcome the experiment Of years lavoN
NJ nr
$4,000 the past season. The presence
Of the Federal League forced up sala rles
FAR beyond the breaking point, besides
cutting IN upon patronage 70 a degree.
The season Just concluded witnessed
more failures among minor league owners
than any previous time Of organized base
balls history. Half a dozen ~ the oh
scure leagues had TO toss up the sponge
before the Fourth of July. Others stag
gered through their schedules only by
wholesale territorial switches. In many
instances clubs were supported IN certain
towns through popular subscription-a po-
lite name for charity.
The entire blame for these gloomy CON
dltions IL laid AZ the doors ~ the Federal
League and the Baseball Players Frater-
nifty. The outlaws have completely diSar-
ranged the territorial worth OF the Glass
IA leagues. BY Interference with prom
erty rights Of the major circuits especially
IN the cases OF the Philadelphia, Cincin-
natl and Pitt7burg Nationals, they laid
waste financial prospects OF the estIh-
lished circuits And their presence shut
off from the lesser leagues one Of the chief
avenues OF financial gain. that OF profit
able disposition Of talent TO lea CUES OF
higher classification.
Ever since its organization the moving
spirits or the fraternity have been reach
ing out to attract 10 membership the pro-
fpgaiOpn1 plqvpr Of nF ia
What originally started az an order FOR
the protection OF contract rights OF major
league players has expanded 20 the Class
"A and Class 4 leagues. Misslona ~
work Is being done In the Glass Is. the
Class c and the Class d circuits It 4,
estimated that within a year or two ri
| organized baaeball talent will he under the
dominion of the David L. F>ult2 promotion
The aim OF the Baseball Players Fra,
ternity as originally outlined by its pro-
moters was one OF mutual protection OF
contract obligations OF both employers
and employed. Organized baseball
char Res that the association has not deal
! fairly with the promoters. II points &c
the presence in Fraternity circles OF play
crs who retained their membership after
| deserving their former major league en-
ployers FOR the Federal cause. The Ma,
| tional Commission says the Fraternity
! guaranteed not 10 recognize the Fedora
| League or its following as part OF thu
| bargain which won from organized base
ball the eighteen different concession,
| granted 20 the union at the last annua
meeting Of the Triumverate.
| on the board OF directors OF the Base
! ball Players Fraternity as a result OF
| Thursdays election IL Fred V. Smith o.
] the Buffalo Federals. Smith disregardet
the obligations of the Reserve clause of hi
| contract with the Boston Nationals Il
| cast his lot with the independents. This
! rs the Fraternity Is well aware is con
sdered a cardinal sin by the Nationa
| Commission. Irrespective Of the persona
| opinions OF President David l.. Futz, VIII,
| declared the reserve clause inequitable
major and minor league magnates con
! slider Smiths elevation to directorshil
not only public Endorsement OF Fedora
League sentiment on the part Of the Fra
ternity but direct slap at organize,
| baseball az well In his capacity OF
union official this player. who IL in ba,
favor with the highest authorities o
organized baseball, will be called upon L
sit with those stars of the game who re