New Britain herald., 1916-12-05
DRAFT OF PLAYERS
 FAVORED BY FULTZ
He Holds That Men Should Favor
 Abolition Of System

Now York, Dec. 5.-BaSebaU Off- ciais of two leagues-the National and the International-wil assemble here early next week to grapple with numerous problems which will have a great bearing on next years baseball Scason. The International league will \ get together on Tuesday. The rela- tons between the minor leagues and the majors are not as harmonious as t,.ey might be. and the latest sug eestion of the minors to eliminate the draft from the Class A leagues will undoubtedly cause trouble when it Is taken up by the National league club fowners.
 The Class A leagues, the Interna- tionaI. the American Association, and lthe Pacific Coast league have peti- ftioned the National Commission to drop the draft, and it is believed that lthe National league club owners will Instruct their representative on the scommission, President John K. Tener, Ito oppose the measure. r. President David l.. Fultz of the Players Fraternity stated yesterday that he believed that the minor league splayers were opposed to the removal lof the draft. If the draft is elimi- mated, he believes that it will tend to kill the ambition of young players who work hard in the minors to make their Fway up to the major leagues.
 M Fultz Explains Objections.
 . 'I do not think that the removal of Ethe draft will be a good thing for the minor leagues said MT. Fultz yester- tday. 'It would, in the first place, work as a damper for the players when they realized that there would be no way to be promoted to the ma ljors except by purchase. By the drafting plan many minor league play Fers go to the majors each year and make good. If an ambitious young player became too good for the minors and were fast enough for the big leagues, and the draft rule were not ! in force, the minor league club owner could keep him in the minors as long as he pleased and stop the youngsters chances for promotion.
 ''The club owners could also hold up the major league clubs for high purchase prices and control the ser vices of the player unless they were paid. Again, if the majors are de- prived of the draft, it will mean that there will not be as much new talent in the majors every season for the inn provement of the game This new suggestion of the minors would tend to stagnate the playing talent. think that the major leagues will strongly oppose the removal of the draft rule.'
 The International league had an un- successful season last year, and next weeks meeting may result in the re- adjustment of the circuit Sam Lich- tenhein, owner of the Montreal club, is said to be ready to retire from the game. The conditions in Canada, owing to the war, have had a bad effect on baseball in both Montreal and Toronto. If Montreal drops out the club probably will go to one of the cities now in the New York State league. One plan is to divide the franchise between Albany and Troy, and 1t is not improbable that Syracuse promoters may become interested in the club. It is also stated that Joseph J. Lannin, formerly owner of the Boston Red Sox, wants to dispose of the Buffalo club Newark was loser last season, but President James Price intends to reorganize the club
 May Take Up McGraw Case.
 The National league has many knotty questions to settle. The board of directors will meet on Tuesday at noon. At that time the McGraw case will be considered, if it is considered at all. It has been stated that Man ager McGraw explained the incident to the satisfaction of the New York club and President Tener of the Ma tional league, but some of the clut owners intend to present the matter for discussion at the meeting of the directors.
 The player limit may be changed because several of the clubowners are in favor of extending the limit from twenty-one to twenty-tWo players The limit was cut down from twen ty-five during the Federal leagu. days. The second division clubs wan the limit to remain at twentyone. bu the first division clubs favor an in
 crease. Manager McGraw is anxiou
 to see the limit at twenty five again He declares that the American leagu
 has decided advantage over the Ma
 tional league, inasmuch as it is abl
 to carry twenty-five players and de
 velop more new talent during tn
 playing season. Rumors of anothe
 baseball strike have come up to dis
 turb the peace of mind of the promo
 ters, but one prominent club owne
 stated yesterday that he believed tn
 new contract which provides for ful