The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-14
FRATERNITY WISHES
GET COLD SHOULDER
Commission Refuses to Consider
Nine Separate Demands
From FultZ.
ALL PRONOUNCED UNFAIR

- PLAYERS Fraternity The refusal of
49,. commission was based upon line
=. l,,pins with the recent policies OF
economy indorsed by both the National
and American leagues.
Al, Johnson declared that the two
,,., Important concessions demanded by
A.. union would have imposed unfair
.,,rcDu burdens. Fultz and his board
:, directors. who for the most part are
s,.r. nr the two big leagues. wished or
.,yized baseball 20 bind Itself TO accept
,,,,.d.ttey upon purchase or draft
,J.y,rs secured from the smaller circuits.
n a., desired also that these same cfub
ovu,rs should guarantee tuiI major
,,.,t,. salaries to those players turned
~ q, clubs Of lower classification.
concession granted TO the fraternity
,..r ago has a direct bearing ON the
-, AZ issue. An arbitrary rule OF or
.rized baseball fixes the salary OF "A
,iaver advanced TO the two major leagues
=, an increase Of 20 per cent. over his
minor league pay. Such an athlete Is
automatically bound to probationary con-
,rac, in fast company for period OF
ninety days
ia the minor leagues II Is the custom
"a nav PLAYERS upon "A monthly basis.
tho National and American leagues were
hound TO receive their new chattels upon
contracting for them they would have 10
nav salaries in full up to the CONCLUSION
Of the major league seasons. In snort IL
would necessitate carrying lot or mex
rtrlturcd and unnecessary men Tor
several weeks after their contract periods
vI,h the minor leagues had expired.
Revcrsely hardship would De SUI
III I'D ~
major league surplus. Both the National
AVID American leagues have adopted
,tringput roster limits to go into enect
early I'M May After that time each
OF the big league clubs must cut to
tNenty-ouo players or rather TO twenty
ure uniformed men There are under
contract with each OF these owners no"
a great many more than this number
The Giants, for instance, have approx
maicly MY players under reserve.
As 1t is McGraw probably will he
sore'y puzzled to provide minor league
berths for the thirty young men he is
forced by baseball law to sacrihce III
MAY His task would he greatly COM
rlicated II Il were necessary for the New
York club to guarantee each discard
place In the minor leagues at salary
equal TO the % per cent. INCREASE the
Young man would receive upon reporting
to the Giants.
ln this case. too. the minor leagues
would have their share OF additional ex-
pensc. Each year many prospects spring
10 for trial IN fast company. Many never
have "A chance OF making good but are
rey,-theless valuable assets TO the minor
clubs which furnish them. A trial In the
Na,.oull or American leagues. under the
l.,. ,sd fraternity amendments. would
fore. upuu the minor leagues to when
IN advance Il the salary such players
received the previous season whether or
10, the players ability Justified such In
crease.
Another point mentioned by johnson is
that economical retrenchment for 1915
Is not confined to the major leagues
al me-. Al OF the minor organizations
VII De operating under restricted roster
limits This fact will sreatly reduce the
customary nelds OF surplus distributions
from the American and National leagues.
The problem is serious enough as 1t
stands IN his estimation, without rails
ius further barriers through automatic
salary advances.
Salaries In both the major and minor
leagues have risen beyond the point Of
rea-on' said johnson, and crutailment
Father than increase is essential. The
National Commission had this object in
view when il refused to grant the nine
Concessions TO the fratSn!ty.
need not tell you that fraternity
Members have not always acted fairly
toNhd their employers. Many OF the
sids ~ the major leagues nave taken
advantage OF the unsettled conditions or
baseball to press upon thei. club presi-
cents aid.tiohal salary considerations
eve during the lie or contracts which
me iidl"r .tE pledged itself to regard as
bMd.n- To- both sides. Organized base
val always mas shown every considerd-
Won Z" III" welfare of the players, but
zoe not propose to be driven into grant
ing 90 sssi-ns that would be unfair to
lie employers
d'.ue"u declared that the stand OF
Nt National Commission would not be
AltIed bN any pressure the fraternity
mLW try 10 bring to bear TO effect a
f'."n' d'ratlon. Last summer al criti-
Ca moment the fraternity disclosed Its
'.'' weapon IN threatened strike OF the
Ps|..' "l the two major leagues. Fultz 4
Org .ztHon won It's point then because
'' N'luuW League, against the senti-
I".". "I Johnson. decided upon the peace
~, COURSE Fultz had the right on his
80 Hl du argument that involved a
'''.O any In the operation OF new
''..t> on granted the fraternity 20"
N'h'.s earlier The argument was over
awarded by the National Commission 10
'''.'' league cruz heiure the clups
"' international League-of highei
''",''''' ''''n-had waived claim
'Ie reason 10 uouot the SIN.