New Britain herald., 1916-11-07
COMING Meeting
Will BE LIVELY
Minor Leagues Oppose Any
Change in Players Contracts

New York, Nov. THE determin-
alton of President David L. Fultz of
the Baseball Players Fraternity to
make an issue of the injury clause in
organized baseball contracts is ex-
pected to add an unusual touch of
high life to the annual meeting of
the National association in New Or
leans next week.
From a reliable source-a minor
league president close to both Ban
Johnson and John Farrell, associa-
ton secretary-it was learned yester-,
! day that the powers of the major
and minor leagues intend to seize
| upon this opportunity to force q
showdown with the union and prove
to the doubling Thomases that the
war is over.
For obvious reasons. the authority
for the foregoing information did not
! wish to have his identity disclosed
at this time.
/ Oppose ANY Changes.
IT know" said he that the minor
/ leagues are opposed to any contract
! changes. More especially so when the
| fraternity demands them. This play
! ers' union has never been popular
with the minor leagues, which feel
they were imposed upon during the
! Federal league war. The National
! association never has recognized the
fraternity, and I do not think it will
i begin to do now.
1.-THE minor leagues are confront
ed with problems far more serious.
Reforms in relations with the ma
jor leagues seem far more imperative
~ Il 1ty1Cy
with the baseball players union. I
know, further that the National COM
mission is prepared to back UP the
National association in whatever poll
icy it cares to adopt toward this
latest presumption on the part of the
fraternity. Do not be surprised III
this fraternity is handed jolt from
New Orleans
Arthur A. Irwin, business manager
Of the Toronto international leaguse
club, as we'll versed as any man living
in the conditions of both minor and
major leagues. had a few words t@
say on the subject
Conditions are serious indeed In
the minor leagues" said Irwin. Out
side of Toronto few clubs in the In
ternational league made money That
is because of the overhead expenses.
= |
!, large minor league clubs on econo-
mical lines. The recent baseball war
turned players heads as to individ-
ual values. Players cannot get over
/ the idea thai major league tempera-
Iments, whims and caprices will not
go in Glass "A. They expect major
league pay or major league effort
or rather lack of eqort in many in
| stances.
Must Readjust Salaries.
"A readjustment of salaries both In
the majors and minors is bound to
come with the expiration of war;
time contracts" Irwin continued. Il
believe you will see the majors and
minors get together for mutual pro-
tective benefits before another spring.
I should not be surprised if most OF
the major league powers attended the
| big minor league rally in New Or
| leans next week.
"As to the fraternity demands"
| concluded Irwin, at really is to
| laugh. The fraternity's hold is
| broken now that tho Federal league
| is gone This fraternity has only one
| RECOURSE strike. I do not believe
| Cne-tenth of the members would ever
agree to a general strike. The lead
ing powers of the fraternity are the
stars, with fancy contracts. strike
would abrogate such documents and
throw the offenders on the mercy Of
their employers.
II do not think there will ever be
baseball strike. I do think club
owners realize fully the need to curb
the growing tendency to interference
on the part of the players. I shouldn't
be at all surprised If something defin-
tie along these lines developed in
New Orleans