New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-24
DaveF ultz'S Statement
MAY Cause War Be-
tween Magnates
and Players
By w. J. MACBETH

war OF capital ana laoor As repre-
sented in the promotion OF organized
baseball Is threatened. David L. Fultz,
president OF the Baseball Players
Fraternity sort OF union among the
players Of the major and first class
minor lesgues-declares mis- organiza-
ton will not tolerate from the National
Commission any interference with the
athletic conduct Of members during the
OF season, or the period Of the year
when such members are not under pay
TO their employers.
This latest issue arose as an after
clap Of the recent world series. Con-
trary to a rule Of the National Commits
sion, which forbids world champion
clubs, either collectively or individ-
ually, from taking part in exhibition
games after the termination Of the
world series, the Boston Red Sox
played q Sunday game with the semi
pro Colonials at New Haven, Conn. The
triumvlrate, which is the fountsinhead
Of baseball government, thereupon de-
clared that the customary world series
emblems would be withheld from the
Red sox players; further. that the play
ers would be subjected to nne. Il was
this announced policy Of the National
Commission that drew forth q state
ment Of defiance from President Fultz
~ tina sratsrnity Yesterday
-Players Within Rights
The fraternity" declared Fultz,
cannot recognize the right Of organ
lied baseball TO fine players for taking
part In games after the season is over
and after their contracts have expired.
The players have, of course, no right 10
represent any club without the consent
OF its owner, but so long as they trade
upon their own personal regulations
they are clearly within their rights.
"The relation Of player 20 magnste is
purely contrac:ual and gives no basis
FOR the principle of paternalism which
the magnates now attempt 20 inject
into il. In addition, representatives OF
organized baseball have for years con-
Quoted post-season .rips in which they
shared the receipts, and Il is dificult
for the players to see the distinction
between these trips and the ones the
magnates now seek to abolish.
81 am not discussing the advtsability
of pennant winners transforming after
the season. as that is an entirely diff
terent matter. | am simply comment
! ing upon their right 70 do so II they
| desire.
"If the National Commission thinks
the alleged ofencs OF sufficient impor-
lance and that the act would be q wise
and dignihed one il has every right
to withhold the worlds ssries enolems
from the Red Sox, but g. far as hning
those players is concerned, why tnat
is a very different matter
There are two or three pretty sharp
men in the counsels Of organized bnse-
ball known to be sharpening up a few
axes for David L. Fultz, president OF
the Baseball Players Fraternity. To
the laymsn who knows nothing more
of the rules of organized baseball than
can be found In plain black and white,
best and clearest English, in the con-
stitutions, bylaws and rules OF the
National and American leagues aud
National Commission, IL would seem
that said David L. has barred bis neck
70 a clean thrust
Defence Hardly Gasproof.
IN view Of the circumstances which
led to the commissions threatened
action against the poor slaves OF the
game, the fraternity presidents de-
fence is Just about as gasproof as
coarse sieve. II memory Is not az
fault, the Red Sox laid themselves
open to discipline by playing the New
Haven Colonials at q time when they
were still under contrsctual ooliga-
| tons TO the owners Of the Boston
| American League Club. The game Was
played on Sunday, October Is last ~
| the terms Of the instruments which
bind major league players to their en-
/ ployers, October Is Of each season
marks the last day OF pay for the
employed.
Wherefore that Sunday belonged 70
| the Boston owners and not 20 the b's-
ton olayers. In view OF which, from
a legal standpoint, the fraternity does
/ not appear TO have q leg to stand on
/ in its attempt at rebuttal, granting, OF
course. that baseball players ere
/ anenable TO the laws and rules OF the
game during the actual playing season
Fultz's defence Of the Red Sox play.
ers has already stirred up wave OF
resentment against the Fraternity IN
| the hearts Of certain owners who even
/ before had figured the players mao
reached the end Of their rope.
az sincerely hope the Fraternity
make, an issue Of this matter" said
one Of the most prominent club owners
Of the greater city last night when IN
formed Of the tenor Of Fultxs an
nouncement
"This Fraternity business Is gcing
altogether TOO far he continued, and
the quicker we come 70 SHOWDOWN
the better il will be for the game. The
whole trouble is that players have Tor
gotten their rights and obligations TO
their employers. Money has been
coming too easily 20 them. They nave
been pampered and petted FAR too much
bv the press, public and employers.
/ They act like prima donnas. They are
possessed Of temperament
Salaries To Be Cut
well, here's . little tip. for you.
There will be . cutting and slashing
Of salaries for some Of these alleged