New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-10

In these columns a short time ago
were exposed the plans Of Fraternity
members to maintain indefinitely war
time salaries. Players whose contracts
expired at the close Of the 1916 season
almost without exception are held over
by reserve. The reserve clause Is so
worded that the employer has an OPP
ton for service for one additional sea-
son at the salary Of the expired con-
tract. provided some other compensa-
ton is not mutually agreed upon ,
IL was the scheme of players bound
by reserve not TO resign FOR the sea
son of 1917. These hoped to labor
through 1917 at the 1916 compensation
and next fall claim the immunity OF
law as free agents. The contention
would be that such really were under
contract-unexpired contract-as base
ball law forbids the employment OF
players otherwise.
Al next weeks major league meet
ines this angle Of the tangle will be
di9ested. Either one OF two clear
courses will be mapped out. The mag
mates will either agree TO refuse 10
consider the optional clause as Vallo
in so far as eligibility to play is con-
cerned, or they will employ their pre-
rogative of unconditional release ior
all disgruntled players.
The latter course would be risky un-
less the magnates one and all refused
20 entertain business relations with
players who refused to fulhl their
moral obligations TO their present en-
ployers. There is a feeling that II a
few of the stars were informed they
might have their unconditional re-
leases for the asking much Of the
threatened trouble from the trater-
nifty would be heard no more.
Opinion among the magnates who
have come early for the National
League meeting seems crystalllzlng on
one point-the great probability OF
Frank Chance returning 10 Chicago at
the head of the Cubs. A distinctive
tone was lent to this surmise through
rumors emanating from the Windy City
Yesterday TO the effect that the Peerless
Leader would not only be induced TO
take the reins, but that he would be
given an opportunity 20 purchase a
large block Of Cub stock.
Chance was in Salt Lake City two
days ago, presumably on his way East
to consult with the Chicago board OF
directors. One connected with the Ma
tional League, who prides himself on
the reliability of his information, had
the following TO say upon the subject
yesterday:
Expect 70 see Chance and Weegh-
man in New York tomorrow Sunday
or next day. 1t has all been fixed
Chance is coming to try 10 arrange
several important deals. Armour and
Wrigley. two Of the chief stockholders
Of the Chicago Nationals, insisted upon
the return of the Peerless Leader. II
was simply question Of self-protection
"Comiskey had all the business in
Chicago last season. The Cub owner:
are ready to gamble on the popularity
of the former idol OF the West Side Il
retrieve a patronage destroyed through
the unpopularity OF c. W. Murphy snC
the failure Of Joe Tinker"
One OF the National League club
owners who arrived from the West
yesterday SO as not 20 miss any Of the
preliminaries 70 the annual meeting OF
John X. Tener's colleagues vouchsafed
the information that Fred Mitchell
would be in charge Of the Cubs mex,
year.
"Weeghmsn will announce the scqui
sition Of Mitchell next week" said thi.