New Britain herald., 1917-01-16
FRATERNITY MEN ALIGN WITH AZ. OF 1.
pam GomperS Declares Support B to Baseball Men

New York. Jan. 16.-Baseball is
 De unionized. Baseball players are
 De supported by the organized
 bor of the United States if they
 rike, as they are threatening.
 such were the developments yes-
 rday Tn the war which has been
 eclared by the Baseball Players
 Fraternity against the club owners
 major and minor leagues.
 The fraternity. through it's presi-
 ent, David l.. Fultz, applied in
 gashtngton, D. C., for a charter from
 e American Federation of Labor.
 muel Gompers, President of the
 liberation. in New York yesterday,
 ld a newspaperman that there was
 doubt that the fraternity would
 admitted to membership. The
 dmission will probably take place at
 ne meeting of the executive council
 Dc held In Washington on Satur-
 at. MT. Gompers added that he fa-, }Heed 3 strike by the ball players,
 necessary to gain their demands, 4d that . strike would have the )learty support of his organization.
 1s Is the first time in the history
 baseball that the players have paned hands with union labor.
 Ar. Gompers. who. it developes, is II enthusiastic ball fan. has been in- ogpated in the fraternity from the tASt. He has been in touch with MT. <s for some time, and has held 1 numerous conferences with him in fA <vot ot0,r ShA Federation.
 In . talk with a reporter President bmpers said, ''I heartily approve of IT action of the Players Fraternity AAthreatening to strike. I have con- n1ted with MT. F>ultz many times Aont the new organization and am Fnniliar with it's troubles. The fra ernity will have our support in any 0t1on 1t may take to improve exist ag conditions.
 sI have been an enthusiastic fol- hWer of the national game for many IAarg," continued MT. Gompers. ''al-
 hough of late years I have been so insy that l have not gone to the lRll parks as often as I used to. uways attend the opening game of he season in Washington. The pres Int situation recalls a little story khich appeared in a Washington pa Ter when I attended the opening of he season last year. A reporter men, toned my being at the game and said hat when the umpire yelled Strike! ;. sat there and could do nothing bout it.
 In. Accord With Fultz's Work. i"I am in full sympathy with MT. Ifultzs work to better the conditions If the baseball players. He is car- ying on an excellent campaign for he fraternity and I am sure the ction of the organization in threat ming to strike unless its demands re granted will result in improved sondition for the players
 With the support of the American Federation of Labor. the importance Sf the players organization is ttrengthened. It comes as a great turprise to the club owners, who did hot believe that the body was closely bnough organized to apply for mem ,ership. Tn fact it has never oc- .urred to them that the fraternity night become allied with the Feder- akion. It is certain that with the Eederation's support the players will harry on their fight with renewed con- hdesce.
 The attitude of President Ban 6ohnson of the American league and President John K. Tener of the Ma kaonal league Is that the threatened ktrike is nothing to worry about. President Johnson arrived here yes kerday from Chicago and among oth- tr things he said: T cannot believe khat the players will go through with kfis strike which has been threat med. If they do, it will mean the Illumination of Fultz and the elimin- ation of the fraternity. Organized ball cannot and will not tolerate any srch action by the players. ...
 To Have Baseball Anyhow.
 s.If the players want to strike. let rhem 20 ahead There will be base ban just the same this, summer. I LYuAstion whether many of the play ters want to make trouble for them AaIyes. for they are smart, think knr class of men. and have no griev- hnces. as far as I can see. When the tyationaI commission met their com- hnfttee in Cincinnati few years ago, lwe entered into an agreement With khem in which all their requests were kranted. believe this threat 10 ktrtke is made purely to Justlfy the kRrfstence of the organization. MT Johnson stated that the club Enwners in his league were now i'll |comm unication with most or the pias |ers in relation to their contracts