Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-27
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

Fans throughout the country will be
asked to act as the jury to consider
the merits of the base ball strike con-
troverSy. President David L. Fultz of
the Players Fraternity is arranging
for mass meeting of patrons of the
game in New York city and vicinity to
place before them the players side of
their differences with organized base
ball. The place of meeting and the
date have not been set as yet, but 1t is
said that If 1t is successful there will
be similar meetings in other cities.
By taking this course Fultz shows
confidence in his cause and gives evil
dence that he is sincere in his belief
that the players really have griev-
ance. But the effect of this procedure
is likely to be just the opposite of what
he presumably anticipates. The fans,
who make base ball possible. are the
ones who would ultimately have to de-
eide the souabble, and Fultz's action in
presenting his case to them at once is
calculated merely to hasten his defeat,
as it safely can be said that they are
not in sympathy with the walkout
movement.
J. H. Farrell, secretary of the National
Association of Minor League Clubs, and
arch enemy of Dave Fu1tz. has issued
statement in regard to the latter's an
nouncement that Class 3 and Z players
would be taken into the fraternity, in
which he says that the smaller leagues
are operated always at loss by public
spirited citizens, whose only purpose
is ito keep their town on the map"
Farrell says:
"The unionizing of mechanics and
workmen is all right in its proper
sphere. I have belonged to union my,
self, but there are those who are good
friends of union labor, both inside and
outside of the ranks of union labor,
who sincerely and truly believe that
labor union does not belong In the
realm of sports.
an the smaller leagues the clubs are
operated by organizations of public
spirited citizens without the slightest
hope of profits. but always at loss.
their only purpose being to keep their
town on the map through the medium
of a professional base ball team in a
representative circuit.
1--WE believe we can arrange to trans
fer any Glass B, C or D league in
the fraternity who will guarantee to
operate the circuit intact for one sea-
son and thus fully and completely con-
vince in a substantial manner any body
of players who are laboring under
delusive excitement manufactured,
many believe, for the purpose of main
tanning a position for one man and the
sport in state of turmoil and confu-
sion"
Jack Dunn, owner of the Baltimore
International League club. dropped in
to see Clark Griffith this morning.
Dunn has been more than ordinarily
successful in the development of young
players, and has established an envi-
able reputation among minor league
magnates for disposing of his budding
stars at top prices. He was in con-
ference with the Nationals boss for
some time, but nothing in the way of
news was given out as result.
President Baker of the Phillies is
"astonished" at the demand of Grover
Alexander. the premier hurler of the
National League, for a threeyear con-
tract calling for $4,000. Baker an
nounces that he has inormed his
star pitcher that his offer of $4,000 a
year stood and would not be increased
by any great amount" Catcher Bill
Killifer, A1ec's battery mate. also has
refused to sign in view of a salary
cut of about $1,000. Alexander and
Killifer are reported to have entered
into an agreement at the close of last
season to hold out together unless