Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-21
Fultz, on Behalf of Directors, Serves
Notice Upon President of
Commission.
PROMISES TO MAKE STATEMENT
Case of Kraft of Newark Club of
the International League.
BAN JOHNSON IN DEFIANT MOOD
MaEnate Calls Meeting of American
League Club Owners and Says
Parks viii He CIo'Sed ~
strike EuGues,

CINCINNATI, July a.-An unqualified
ultimatum tina tall members of the Base
Ball Players fraternity would no olnger
consider themselves under contract after
July %, was received by Chairman August
Hermann of the National Base Ball
commission late today
The letter written by David l.. Fultz OF
the Base Ball Players fraternity follows
in full
Mr.. August Hermann, Chairman Ma
tional Commissions Dear Sir-Inasmuch
as organ nized ball sees fit to continue its
violation of section IS and several other
sections OF the Cincinnati agreement
which agreement is a part of every play
er's contract the board OF directors of
the Base Ball Players fraternity has au-
thorized me 10 inform you that on and
after Wednesday, July %, the members OF
the organization will no longer consider
themselves under contract. Very truly,
DAVID L. FUIlZ, President"
Possible Strike Contemplated.
NEW YORK July 20-DIasuc action
possibly a strike or walkout o. base pan
players in. the American and Nauonai
leagues is contemplated by the Base Bali
Players fraternity, according to a state
nent by President Fultz, in case the
National Commission refuses to acceoe
to the terms of an ultimatum sent out
by the fraternity in the case or player
Kraft of the Newark Internationals
Ban Johnson. president of the Amer
lean league, has called meeting here
tomorrow of all American league club
owners Mr.. johnson said this afternoon
that II a strike order is obeyed by the
PLAYERS every American league ball park
will close its gates, all players salarise
will be stopped and the striking players
viii be punished. for their action
FuItx Promises Statement.
Mr. Fults declined TO make public the
terms of the ultimattnn, but said he
would issue a statement outlining IT later.
If was reported that the commission
had been given until July 70 to reply to
the players demands. In the event OF
an unfavorable or unsatisfactory reply.
Mr. Fultz said, the Players fraternity
would take drastic action" Mr.. Fultz
was unwilling to say what the nature OF
this action would be.
The differences between the fraternity
and National commission in the Kraft
case arise from a recent ruling by the
commission that Kraft belongs to the
Nashville club of the Southern associa'
ton. The fraternity claims he belongs to
the Newark Internationals and that he
is entitled to the salary paid him by the
Newark club, which is higher than ht
would receive from Nashville
Kraft has refused TO report to tbs
Nashville club. In taking this stand ht
acted on the advice of the Fraternity.
johnson to Fight.
THE American league is ready tC
meet this issue with a solid front" de
clared Ban Johnson, referring TO thu
proposed strike. "Our club owners ar,
a unit for war. It is about time tina.
this fraternity nonsense should end. w,
have been patient with Mr.. Fult1 anC
his assosiates. but they have too far anC
we intend to call their bluff.
You can say for me that If the Ameri
can league players or a majority of then
obey a strike order on Wednesday, every
American league club will close its gates
all salaries will be stopped and we will
inflict heavy fines on the players VIII,
thereby violate the letter and spirit D
their contracts.
You can also say that this strike will
be the last one conducted by Mr. Fult
and his fraternity, for we are prepares
to keep our grounds closed for the res
of the season no matter what it ma!
cost us
Kraft belongs to the Nashville clu
and that club has a Just claim on hin
T1ou rTnTn