The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-11-17
CLASH
SEEMS
AT HAND
Differences Between Play
ers and Club Owners
Approaching Head

New York, Nov. 17.-The possibility
of trouble between players and club
owners again looms large on the base
ball horizon. The action of the ma
tional association of professional
leagues in tabling. without comment,
the request Of the Players fraternity
lat New Orleans Wednesday, threatens
to bring about a clash between the
two organizations that will have far
reaching effect.
Refuse to Talk.
Although the officers of the Fra
ternity refused to talk for publication,
it is known that there have been sew
eral recent conferences among players
prominent on the board of directors
and that campaign of retaliation has
been mapped out which may evolve a
situation akin to strike among the
leading players of the major and minor
leagues. 1t is apparent that the dis
posal Of the fraternity's requests by
the national association was sui'mised
in advance and provisions made to
force a reconsideration OF the requests
both by the big and little league mag
mates. .......
The PLAYERS contend that the request
for the elimination in certain contracts
of the injury clause" suspension, the
right to sign new contracts upon re-
ance of travelling expenses to minor
league players at the beginning of the
training season, and a revision of the
national boards procedure in handling
the cases brought up for decision by
the Fraternity are just and equitable.
They claim that they are similar in
general way to the agreements exist
ing between employers and employees
in other lines of business and must be
oh in, f,1f, 10
magnateS are to work in harmony for
the advancement of the best interests
of baseball.
Players Sign Agreement.
None of those in attendance at the
recent conferences in this city would
discuss or outline the methods being
considered for the enforcement of these
demands. 1t is known, however. that
every member of the Players Fraterr-
ity has signed a written agreement not
to enter into contracts for 1917 until
such time as the consent Of the Fra
ternity officials is obtained. 1t is un-
derstood that less than twenty-five
players in the big leagues have con-
tracts that hold over another season
and that not more than one-quarter or
these are members of the players or
|ganiZation. The players have stated
to friends that they believe the time
has arrived when they must SLanQ HrIn
upon their rights if they are to be con-
sidered in the coming readjustment OF
professional baseball conditions- The,
report that Chairman Garry Hermann
of the national commission, may be
superseded at the next annual meeting
of that body has caused apprehension
among the members of the fraternity,
as he Is considered by that organiza-
tion to take greater interest IN the
welfare of the players than the other
members Of the commission.
Report of Third League.
PLAYERS are also concerned in the
reports of a possible third major
league: the rumors of clubs being
shifted from one city to another and
the suit of the former Baltimore Fed
eral League club against organized
baseball. Several mysterious emissar-
les, thought to be connected with the
latter club. whose suit for 100000
will come to trial next February, are
said to have approached prominent
plavers. whose contracts have expired
and asked intimate questions regard
ing their treatment in the past ana
their plans for the future.
Believe Crisis at Hand.
These. taken together with other in
teresting developments in paseDaii,
have led the players to believe. 1T IS
understood that a. crisis is at hand.
This has strengthened their determl-
nation TO esta blish their status in
connection with the professional game
upon a firm basis which will prevent
complications in the future.