Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-16
PLAYERS HANDED A
LEMON BY JOHNSON
Fult1's Nine Demands Considered
Unfair by Gar 0f Baseball and
Magnatca OF Both Leagues.
SALARIES MUCH TOO HIGH NOW
''If They Propose to Strike Let Them
Do So," Says Americans Leader.
Such Action May Solve Many Prob
lens for Club Owners.

ouSh .httIoh spoANS MANY u w.
lens for Club Owners.
NEW YORK. December 15.-Ban
Johnson. president of the American
League. admitted that She national
commission had denied fatty to enter ,
mands presented last week by David
L; Fultz,- president of the Baseball
commission was based upon q. line in
economy Endorsed by both the Ma
tional and American Leagues.
Johnson declared that the two most
important concess ions demanded by the
union would have imposed unfair hnan..
cial burdens. Eultz and his board OF
directors, who for the most part. are
stars of the two big leagues: wished
accept immediately upon purchase or
draft players secured from the smaller
circuits. 1t was desired also that these
same club owners should guarantee fun
major league salaries TO those players
turned back to clubs Of lower classiflca-
ton.
"A concession granted to the frater-
pit: a year ago has a direct bearing
on the point Of issue An arbitrary
salary OF a PLAYER advanced TO the two
major leagues ut an increase OF % per
cent over his minor league pay. Such
an athlete is automatically bound to
probationary contract In fast company
for period of ninety days
Fay Players on Monthly Basis.
In the minor leagues II Is the custom
to pay players upon n monthly basis
The seasons, as a rule. are short. If
were >bound to receive their new chat
tells upon contracting for them. they
", wou lhd have nay to pay salaries in full up
seasons. In short. it would necessitate
CARRYING lot of inexperienced and UNI
necessary men for several weeks after
their contract periods with the minor
leagues had expired
,o RseverselX, hardship would be suf-
in l,A 4 IL.
major league surplus. Both the Ma
tionnl and American Leagues have
nto erect enn roster hn limits to
time each of the big league clubs must
cut to twenty one players, or rather 10
twenty-one uniformed men. There are
under contract with each of these own
ers now great many more than this
humber. The Giants. for instance.
reserve.
AS it is, McGraw probably Will be
berths for the thirty young men he is
forced by baseball law to sacrifice in
May. His task would he greatly COM
piicated If 1t were necessary for the
New York club to guarantee each dis
card a place in the minor leagues ut
salary equal to the % per. cent in
upon reporting to the Giants:
Valuable Asset. to Minor Leagues.
would have their share of additional
expense. Each year many, prospects
spring up Tor 1flal III last company.
Many never have chance of making
good, but are, nevertheless. valuable
assets to the minor clubs which fur
nish them: a trial in the National or
American Leagues, under the proposed
fraternity amendments. would force
upon the minor leagues to which they
were returned contract % per cent
in advance of the salary such players
received the previous season, whether
or not the players ability justified
such increase
Another point mentioned by Johnson
is that economical retrenchment for
1915 is not confined to the major
leagues alone. All of the minor organ
izat:ons will be operating under re.
stricted roster limits. This fact will
surplus distributions from the Ameri-
can and National leagues. The problem
is serious enoush as II stands, In his
estimation, without raising further
barriers through automatic salary nd-
Vances
SALARIES in both the major and minor
leagues have risen beyond the point
OF reason said Johnson. and curtuil-
ment rather than increase is essential
The National Commission had this OBJ
ject In view when it refused to grant
the nine concessions to the fraternity
II need not tell; YOU that fraternity
members have not"aiways acted fairly
toward their c,nblotcrs. Many Of the
stars Of the major leagues have taken
advantage of the unsettled conditions
presidents additional salary considera-
tons even during the life of contracts
which the fraternity pledged itself to
regard as binding TO both sides. Or
ranizcd baseball always has shown cv-
cry consideration 10 the welfare OF the
players. but does not propose TO be
driven into granting concessions that
would be unfair 10 the employers.
johnson Positive In His stand.
Johnson declared that the stand OF
the national commission would not be
altered by any pressure the fraternity
might try TO bring to bear 10 effect a
recon sideration. Last summer At 4
critical moment the fraternity disclosed
it's chief weapon in threatened strike
OF the players o1rhc two major leagues.
Fultz's organization won It's point then
because the National League, against
the sentiment OF Johnson, decided upon
right on his side Of an argument that
involved a technicality IL the opera
ton OF new concession granted the
fraternity g few months earlier, Tho
argument was over the disposition OF
First Bascman Kraft, awarded by the
national aae $50, Sqmm fi,s. , 70 southern
International Lcaguc--of higher classi-
hcation-had waived claim.
There i little reason 10 doubt the
sincerity q fraternity members going
out at Ful;z's orders at that time had
not c. II Ebbets voluntarily come TO
the front with a purchase OF Kraft Cor
the Newark club from the Southern
Association club that claimed his ser
vices. But since that time there has
come a reEniSion Of feeling toward the
matter by major league hackers Sen
timents once favorable 10 the fra
IerNltE nave bctn some what diSillus
Toned by the attitude OF such men as
Caldwell: Leo Magec. lionctchy, Allen.
Wingo. Perritt ana Marquard All OF
these fraternity brothers have broI;cn
or attempted to break straight con
tract obligations with their employers
PIayers nave gone too far in using
the owners" said Johnson There is
no danger Of major league players ever
seriously considering strike in tho
future If they DO let thc:, 90 out
such an action might solve a whole
10y OF problems for cIub owners Cor
fanny IL would relieve our promoters
OF many undesirAbles WHO hnve fnrcnI