New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-17
PLAYERS REVIVE
STRIKE THREAT
TO WIN DEMANDS
Baseball Stars to Back
FuItz-Few Have Signed
New Contracts
BY W. J. MACBETH

nifty is the Interpretation the union
places upon its rundown at the hands
OF the minor league magnates in New
Orleans. In spite Of the reticence of
fraternity officers yesterday, 1t was
learned on the very best authority that
President David l.. Fultz will have the
backing Of practically all Of basebalPs
most renowned stars in campaign for
recognition already mapped out in sew
eral secret conferences. -
The old strike threat has been re-
vived. The fraternity membership
numbers the most illustrious idols of
the diamond. These, it Is said, have
pledged themselves TO the altar OF
unionism. The services of these will
form the cudgel with which the frater-
ment of baseball into line. The great
majority of the players on whom the
strength of the leading clubs of the
American and National leagues depends
have not signed contracts for next year.
They have agreed not 10 do so, it is
said, until the fraternity demands.
spurned by the minor leagues, have
been recognized py minor and major
league magnstes alike.
Firm In Convictions
For several years past baseball play
crs have been firm in the conviction
that they held m their own hands the
destiny of the game. The fraternity
was presumably first conceived as an
organization calculated TO improve the
protect employe and employer alike. IL
sprang into being about the time the
Federal League enterprise was
launched. Through the outlaw circuit
1t was given a power, almost imme-
diately, that probably never would have
been recognized in normal times. Fra
ternity principles, as much as the Fed
eral League, were responsible for the
sensational imitation of baseball sal
aries within the last few years.
Baseball, in a sense. has resolved it.
self into the old question of capital
and labor. II the magnates represent
the trusts" the Fraternity typifies
unonsm. Trouble has been storing up
{ for several years. II seems to have
pretty nearly reached the point OF
showdown.
The National Association. which is
the governing body of the minor
leagues, in session at New Orleans two
days ago. decided TO ignore the Frater-
rity's requests for four reforms or
, alleged reforms in relationship be-
tween employer and employed. These
same requests. or demands, will later
be presented to the National Commits
sion. 1t is evident that the commits
sion tipped off the National Associa-
tion as 10 it's attitude on the reforms.
"Will See IL Through
ave will see this thing through"
said the owner OF major league club,
who did not wish to embarrass his
league president by disclosing his iden-
tity
1.-THE trouble with the Fraternity is
hat it seeks only selfish ends. 1t
would be all fair and good if the union
enforced it's members 10 labor assidu-
ously in the fulflment of contractual
obligations. But no such thing. Play
ers seek every excuse these days TO
keep out of the game. A little injury
that a few years ago would never be
noticed is now hospital case for the
temperamental stars. These players
expect. in addition TO grand opera sal
aries, bonuses OF all sorts, sometimes
even for good behavior.
"When the Federal League war broke
out" he continued, 81 very unwisely
signed certain of my players to iron
clad. term contracts. That moment !
ruined them. These hgh-salaried
artists Immediately lost every interest
save one of self-preservation. They
did not give me conscientious return
for my money. And | know the Fra
ternity deliberately winked at subter-
fuge in more than one instance.
Salaries Too High
"As an aftermath of the Federal
League war salaries have mounted be-
yond the safety mark. A readjustment
is imperative. We must get back to
the safe and sane basis of some years
ago. Overhead expense has become so
great that few teams of the big leagues
not prominently placed in the pennant
fights make even savings bank interest
on their investments Deficit rather
than profit shows for the majority.
promoters hang on in the face OF
adversely in the hope of recouping
losses with one pennant winner. +
and | think the majority Of club own
ers-feel that crisis has approached
and that now is the time to see the
thing through. We might better lock
our parks now than 10 be forced into
bankruptcy in the end through the
increasing cupidity of players"
Important developments are expected
at the annual meetings of the National
and American leagues in this city next
month. Johnson has called his meet
INK in this city TO be on hand for i'm
portant National Commission consid-
erations; also that legislation of mu-
tual importance may be ratified by the
club owners Of the two circuits.
No Players Signed
None Of the club owners has made
any attempt TO sign players not under
contract for 1917. The tip is out that
salary rather than roster limit will
meet with most weighty consideration.
The reaction that marked the termIna-
tion of the war between the National
and American leagues and cut players
salaries practically in two seems in
prospect. Therein lies the real answer
TO the Baseball Players Fraternity &C
tivity, il Is said.
These sons Of finance OF the diamond
are ready TO 20 TO any length, even a
general strike, to maintain the present
scale Of remuneration. IL is alleged
that union demands have been seized
upon as a pretext either TO intimidate
the men who pay the bills or to divert
their minds from the channels OF econ
omy on which major league club own