New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-24
Secretary of Ball Play
ers' Fraternity De-
plores Squabble
nv w. ]. MACBETH

the game. And no one has done more TO
foster whatever distinction the union
RAY enjoy with the baseball powers
"There is only one fitting time and
rlace and but orc fitting manner Tor
the major league players to strike
said Reulbaeh at his Brooklyn home
Yesterday afternoon. "They should
strike the old horsehide with every Sc
rious remnant intention on the big
league fields opening day
81 cannot take the strike seriously
Iculbach continued. "Not that ! mean
% insinuate the members Of the Fra
tornitv generally have repudiated their
agreements to hold out, but the differ
orces are so trivial ] cannot conceive
az tho three sides interested-Na u0hai
Commission. National Association ana
Fraternity-not adjusting them before
The future Of the game is threatened,
~ CONSERVATIVES Of the three coulo
Get together in q room for a COUPE OF
hours a just settlement could DC Ell
fceted.
Commission Fair
"rbc National Commission has
n,oven itself fair beyond the slightest
suspicion of doubt throughout us ten
uro of office. It is composed OF Dig IneIl,
sound thinkers. There must De some
way to avoid break. BaseoalI III 10
present unsettled condition cannot 81
lord another fight. il 1t would De SUI.
eide for the magnates, certainly
yould be suicide for the profession, 700
aTbe health of the game makes II I'M
rerstive that every one interested IN
its welfare get together and pull TO-
either TO revive interest that mas
9egoed as a result of the FedeIaI
League war and the playing up OF tne
commercial end of the sport tne last
few years. IL .olor;os
only so long as the players make hlgh
salaries possible. The money must De
brought in at the gate; the game must
no made 10 pay fair dividends 70 the
oromoters or the capitalists behind the
snort will switch 70 other business
ventures. There has been TOO muen
handshaking on the field OF late ne
fans desire clean rivalry on the neloi
fraternalism among rivals IN UNIFORM
must be wiped out"
osLsS itbat there has been a decided
change of heart among the really great
stars of the game in regard 70 TINS
strike? Is il not true that great many
of the best known players nave al
ready repudiated their pledges
aeulbach Diplomatic
81 am not at liberty TO answer that
he said. "That there have been some
/ cannot deny. You, like me, get their
names from the public prints; but al,
WAYS the newspapers are not correct;
aCan the Fraternity hold enough
,ood man 70 their pledges TO JUSTIFY
a walkout on the part of major league
nlavers p" Reulbach was next asked.
"That is something again | am not
at liberty TO answer" SAID the secre-
tary Of the Fraternity.
"'Tbis is a question that must appear
70 the individual conscience. some
have already recanted. WHAT thelr
numbers may be month hence / nave
no wav OF knowing. We must wait
Rculbach was asked as TO his indi-
v;dual sentiments. He regretted the
whole nuddle. but was satisfied way
would be found TO avoid open hos
tilities.
"But If Ban Johnson is sincere IN ms
declaration that the National Commls-
sion will have no further traffic with
President Fultz and the Fraternity now
will that affect your personal atu-
Johnson Big Man
aBan Johnson is too big a man."
.sid Reulbach. "to allow personalities
IN Interfere with the welfare of base
hall He will do wha. is right when
the proper time arrives"
of there should be wholesale deser-
tions from the pledge-if the great ma
ioritv of major league stars should run
10 eoyer-what then would be your per-
sonsl attitude" the secretary was
an this question, as in all others,
ronIied Reufbach. deliberately, 81 shall
stsnd bv the verdict Of the majority"
Roulbach refused 20 commit hlmsef
on the policv Of the Fraternity III ap-
nlving for a charter from the American
Federation of Labor If, indeed, the
secretary is not opposed 20 the move
he appears at best but lukewarm. A
hint or two showed he regarded aifllia-
ton with union labor as an obstacle
in the path Of compromise. .
81 am at liberty 20 say no more at
this time" said Reulbach, in conelud-
ing the interview. 81 think | can safely
say there will be no strike on the part
Of major league players. Why-Wei'
You'll have 70 wait and see
An uneonArmed report from Wash
ington carried in some OF the local
afternoon papers, said that the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor had denied a
charter 20 the Baseball Players Fra
ternity. This story was partially con-
frred last night by ono Of the labor
heads in this city. nc said he had the
tip from headquarters. but that he was
not authorized to make the official an
nouncement.
Whether the rundown by organized
labor vii, so-ioiisly affect the attitude
Of the player holdouts remains to be
seen. 4 great many OF the stars Of
the National and American leagues are
said 10 have repudiated Fultz because
he attempted 10 join forces with or
ganized labor. The vision of assess
ment Of fat salaries for INDECENT
broom handle makers old not appeal,
10 was hirtcd.
Meanwhile from Chicago driftcd the
news that Al Dcmarce. erstwhilc bell
COW rooter of the strike cause, had
come 10 terms with President Weigh
man Of the Cubs.
81 haven't received a contract from
Mr.. Weeghman." Demaree is quoted
tho same Demaree that presided over
meeting OF revolutionists a few days
ago--"but there is no trouble between
the club and myself While 7 told Mr..
Weeghmsn / couldn't put my name 10
contract until learned more about
conditions in the Fraternity. ! think all
those troubles will be settled and I
am preparing 10 train with the Chicago