The Washington times., 1916-11-17
new CONTRACT WILL
Be CONSIDERED FOR
ADOPTION BY MOGULS
National Commission viii Meet
Next Week and Adopt More
Mutual Agreement.

NEW York, Nov. 17.-As soon as
President Johnson. OF the American
L.eaSue. returns from a hunting trip In
Wyoming next week, there viii be a
special meeting OF the National Baseball
Comnnission. calculated to improve the
welfare OF the players. The commission
will adopt q new players contract,
which has been drawn by attorneys for
the Medicinal and American Leagues. IL
10 believed that the new contract will
provo legal and equitable II, at any
time, II 10 taken into the courts.
The old contract. It is admitted. lacked
mutuaiity. The player was held at a
disadvantage. the club owner being able
to release him on ten days notice AID
reserve him indefinitely. Several court
rulings during the war with the Federal
League ripped the old contract 10 pieces,
especially regarding the release clause,
with the result that organized baseball
reached the conclusion that reforms are
In adopting the new contract. which
In expected to stand the acid test. the
commission will try to protect the big
leagues as well as the players. In the
event OF another outlaw movement;
which 10 unot improbable, It Is figured
that the players can be legally held. 1t
will be comparatively easy. therefore,
to prevent contract jumping or hold-ups
for increased salaries, while the play
ers. at the same time, will be In a POSI-
tion TO demand and receive a square
deal from their employers.
Change Release Clause.
/: Insiders seem to think that the ten
days release clause will be modified or
abolished. Perhaps the new contract
Will stipulate that II a player Is sent TO
the minors in mid-season, he must be
consulted. II II also probable that the
direct that a released player must re:
celve the full amountof his original
salary for the entire season.
The option or reserve clause will be
differently worded. The old contract
called for the sale of an option Il stated
sum. whereas in the new contract the
player will have the right to hold the
Club owner for the succeeding year I'M
der mutual conditions.
The commission. II Is said, will debate
Of the new contract twelve months in
stead Of six. II II Is decided to extend
the length OF a players engagement to
one year. with semNmonthly salary pay
ments. the new contract will stipulate
that before q player can indulge In out
side exhibition games or can take part
In other branches of sport he must Sc
cure the consent of his employer. The
magnates are eager to control their
players al 1.-The year round.
When the new contract has been
adopted the players, II Is believed vii
have few. II any, grievances. They viii
receive liberal salaries and also will &c
able to insist on fair treatment. Tine
sci that II the players welfare is inn
proved In legal way the national game
Will be safeguarded as never before.
Discuss New League.
The plan to form third major league
embracing Buffalo, Toronto. Newark.
Baltimore. Indianapolis. Toledo. Louis
ly discussed at the minor league con-
clave In New Orleans this week.
Already obstacles have been thrown In
tho way. but they may be overcome In
due time. In order to break up the pres
ent International League and American
Association circuits. II will be necessary
10 obtain majority vote In each organ
izstion.
Naturally, there is opposition to the
scheme, inasmuch as Providence. Mon
International and Columbus. Kansas
city, st. Paul, and Minneapolis of the
association must be left to flock by
themselves unless they accept franchises
with New York and Western Leagues.
respectively. nj order to swing the re-
organization deal. therefore, II will be
necessary to obtain five votes in each
circuit.
Will Buy Out Clubs.
with that end in view, the promo
tiers of the scheme figures on buying
out either Richmond or Rochester In
the International and Columbus In the
association. All OF these clubs are for
sale to the highest bidder. 1t Is under
stood. After the required votes have
bean obtained I'm this manner, the pro-
moters figure that they can sell the
undesirable franchises to other Local
hackers. The third league plan, as a
result of these obstacles. will hang fire
for some time, but the big leaguers
will not rest until they have put the
nlan into effect