Evening journal., 1916-11-07
FIGHT TO A finish
ON INJURY CLAUSE
FuItz Says Baseball Players
Fraternity is Determined
TO Force a Revision
TANTAMOUNT
TO BONDAGE

David L, Ftiltz, president Of the
Baseball Players Fraternity, last
night indicated that his organization is
prepared for a fight to a finish in
order to force revision Of the "in-
jury clause" in players contracts.
The main fight is being made on the
American League, emphasis son
the Washington and New York clubs.
The injury clause in some Of the
contracts provides that a player may
be suspended without pay when an
injury suffered in the performance of
his duties makes him unfit for ac-
tive service. II permits a player TO
be held in bondage without salary
and prohibits him from seeking em-
ployment elsewhere" declared Fultz.
President Johnson OF the Ameri-
can League is reported TO have said
In a recent interview that the fra
ternity petition accused certain
American League clubs Of suspend
ing injured players without pay.
Either Mr.. Johnson has been mis-
quoted or he is evading the issue
We made no such accusation. In our
brief We stated that certain contracts
gave the owners the right to so mis-
use players il they saw At, and asked
that such clause be removed.
"Mr. Johnson made a somewhat
heated denial Of the supposed accusa-
ton and said he had demanded OF us
the names OF players suspended He
has made no such demand. Mr. Herr
mann, however, did wire for copies Of
contracts containing the Objectionable
clause. which is an entirely different
request
1--WE replied that contracts could not
be forwarded without consent of the
players. but that Mr.. johnson would
,xs nd the provision in Section OF some
@ the Washington and New Lork con-
acts. AS copies OF all contracts are
lready lodged In his office our com
8bliance seemed unnecessary. The !
Hlause We want changed reads as fol-
lows:
should the player he disabled or
his ability to perform his duties
be impaired al any time during
the term herein prescribed the
club may deduct from the amount
then due. or TO become due under
this contract. such proportion
thereof as the period or said dis
ability or impairment may bear
TO the term herein prescribed, and
may at is option terminate this
contract.
But no such deduction or ter
mination OF the contract shall be
made by reason of any accident or
injury received by the player
while IN performance OF his reg
nS5Pr duties under the direction
ne club. unless such injury or
accident shall wholly or partly in
4 capacitate the player for period
.Y OF hfteen O5) days. in which event
# such deduction may be made Tor
# the period OF disability or impair
ment in excess Of fifteen (l5l days
and this contract may be termi-
mated at the option OF the club
provided. however. that the player
shall be given written notiee
thereof by the club
THE words In which event such
deduction may be made for the per-
lod Of disability or impairment in eX-
cess OF fifteen C5l days are new and
are the ones in which the vice is con
tanned. There Is no ambiguity in the
clause. It is obviously unfair and
must be changed" said Fultz.
IL is an open secret that major
league owners are making plans for
bg salary reductions this winter
Should there be a definite indication
OF concerted action in reduction, there
Is no doubt that the fraternity will re-
tsliate Just how is uncertain. A
host OF war time contracts Of leading
lights expired With the 1916 season
and very few new documents have as
yet been offered the players.