Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-11-17
Friction Arises Between
Players and Club Owners
Because Of Action.
MANY WILL NOT SIGN
Crisis Is ut Hand, Players
Believe; Will Strength
Ell the Society.

NEW YORK, Nov. 16.-The pos
sibility of trouble between players and
club owners again looms large on the
baseball horizon. Teh action of the
National Association of Professional
leagues in tabling without comment
the request of the players fraternity
at New Orleans yesterday threatens
to bring about a clash between. the
two organizations that will have a
far-reaching effect.
Although officers of the fraternity
refuse to talk for publication, it il
known that there have been several
recent conferences among PLAYERS
prominent on the board of directors
ana that campaign of retaliation
mar been mapped out which may
evolve situation askin to strike
among the leading players of the
major and minor leagues. 1t is APP
parent that the disposal of the fra
ternity's request by the national as
sociation was surmised in advance
and provisions made to force a recon-
sideration of the requests both by the
big and little league magnates
Players Contentious.
The players contend that the re-
quest for the elimination in certain
contracts of the injury clause" sus-
pension, the right to sign new con-
tracts upon receipt of unconditional
release; allowance of travelling ex-
Lenses to minor league players ut
the beginning of the training season
and revision of the national boards
procedure in handling cases brought
up for decision by the fraternity are
Just and equitable
II is known that every member of
the players fraternity has signed a
written agreement not to enter into
contracts for 1917 until such time
as the consent of the players frater-
nifty officials rs obtained
1t Is understood that less than %
players in the two big leagues have
contracts that hold over another sea-
son and that not more than one quar-
ter OF these are members of the play-
ers organization.
The players have stated to friends
that they believe the time has-ar-
rived when they must stand firm
upon their rights if they are To be
considered in the coming readiusto
ment of professional baseball condi-
tions, The report that Chairman
/ Garry Hermann of the national COM
MISSION may be superseded has caused
apprehension in the fraternity. as
they say he takes greater interest in
thelr welfare than the other mem-
bers.
Another Major League?
Players also are concerned in the
reports of possible third major
league; the rumor of clubs being
shifted from one city to another and
the suit of the former Baltimore Fed
cral league club against organized
baseball.
several mysterious emissaries
thought to he connected with the lat
ter club, whose suit for 100000 will
come to trial next February, are said
to have approached prominent play
ers whose contracts have expired and
asked intimate questions regarding
their treatment in the past and their
plans for the future.
These taken together with other
developments in baseball have led
the players to believe, it is under
stood, that crisis is at hand. This
has strengthened their determination
to establish their status In connection
with the professional game upon II
firm basis which will prevent compli-
cations In the future.