The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-22

There Is every reason to believe that
David l.. Fultz. president Of the Base
ball Players Fraternity. is busy lining
up the membership Of his organization
with the hope of renewing a fight for
the recognition Of certain demands
turned down by the National Commits
sion. Fultz talked with Pittsburg
members Thursday and is supposed to
have sounded out the Cardinal eligibles
yesterday. II is said on the very best
OF authority that the executive of the
union has consulted the various sub
heads OF the association who have ap-
peared In either Brooklyn or New DIRK
this year both of the National and
American leagues. What course of ac-
ton he intends to pursue Is not known.
Fultz is keeping his own counsels these
days.
However. at the time his petitions
were turned down coldly by the Trium-
virate Fultz went on record as declar-
Ing that 1t was neither the time nor the
place to order a general strike among
the ball players. an expedient which he
used to good advantage last summer.
Nor Is Il believed that conditions favor
able 10 a strike have improved since the
commencement of the Federal Leagues
second campaign. A strike order might
meet with the general approval OF or.
gained baseball promoters. but II would
make no hit with the fraternity men,
bers.
Practically all Of the powers Of both
the National and American leagues ~
well as the great majority OF their. star
players I'VE been sounded on the SUBJ
tarf prasidanto nf rnatar Lao Qua Ats,ha
profess that they would owe Fults moth
ing but tho deepest gratitude II he
should p~recipitate a strike. They point
out that suoh a condition would break
a whole lot OF ironclad contracts with
certain players who have outlived their
usefulness and who are now at best but
a financial drag upon them. This point
the players realize too.
You never will catch me going out
on strike said a membe OF the New
York Americans who is a fraternity
official shortly after the threatened
strike OF last summer had been averted.
Il too ready to follow the as
sociation mandates then because I did
not wish to appear a 'scab' in the eyes
of the public. but | did not realize un-
til after I had given my pledge just the
position In which | had placed myself.
Why. II organized baseball had listened
to Ban Johnson and had let the walk.
out proceed We would have broken all
our contracts, and then where would
We have been? The fraternity could
not pay our salaries or provide US with
new positions. Neither could the Fed.
eral League take care OF all"
Local representatives OF organized
baseball were inclined yesterday TO
smile indulgently at the report Of
Fultz's renewed activity.
Il am sure said one. that Mr..
Fultz could gst $1,000 for himself IL he
induced all the undesirables on my club
10 walk out. That's how much I fear
"a strike" This gentleman seemed to
reflect the general sentiment OF the
major magnates.
l The club presidents OF tho National
and American leagues seem determined
TO yield no further to the cupidity Of
I the players. For II was this cupidity
that forced the general economical re-
trsnchment throughout the major and
minor leagues this season. The Federal
League was the fulcrum used against
the Golfers OF the promoters for long
term contracts at exorbitant salaries.
IF II were simply a case of wreck
ing the Federal League by railding
players the matter could be accom-
! plished in forty-eight hours" said a
well posted official OF organized baseball
yesterday.
Il could name fifteen OF the best
play ers in the Federal League who have
made overtures to he taken back by
org n.zed baseball. They would jump
in a minute. But we do not have to re-
sort to that sort Of thing Those players
are undesirables Besides. public sent'-
ment t. Fastening the end OF the indie
pendent operations
President John X. Tcner OF tho Ma
tional League is enthusiastic over the
prospects for a prosperous season.
only the weather so far has been
Disappointing said he. One cannot ex'
pect to do much business until climatic
conditions adjust themselves to the COM
fort OF the game. ! think the attend
ancss have geen wonderfully good, all
things considered. The Cubs drew over
20, OOO here on Saturday in spite or the
fact that the Giants were last. There
seems to he AS much enthusiasm as ever
among fandom.
The race In our league Mr.. Tener
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