Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-10

ties with some of the players. They are using the fraternity order as an excuse for not signing their contracts, with the hope that the club owners will become Frightened and raise the ante . bit in order to induce them to put their names to a contract So far, hovveer, there apears to be no evil dence on the part of the owners that the result is that quite a number of players have wavered and sent in their contracts with the request that their names be kept secret until the pres9zt d1merences are adjusted. It might be interesting to MT. F'ultz if be knew just how many members Of the fraternity have expressed their dis approval Of his strike threats and had notified. the club owners that they would sign when the proper time comes.
 The major league players are begin ming to realize the futility of waging war against the club owners. Pres fdent Fultz has declared that all mem bers of the order are in sympathy with the minor league players and their demands and have pledged them eeives to hold out with the little fel- lows" until the minor league associa- ton Is Wiling to grant these requests. But while the major league players may be heartily in favor of the minor league men getting all they can from the club owners, they do not see why they should make fight which can not succeed and lose money them selves by so doing.
 Owners Not Pressing Players to Sign
 A few players have expressed them selves as being in sympathy with Fultz and his strike movement, and have declared they will not report this spring until the matter is ad- justed in a manner satisfactory to both sides. but the majority of the players who have not signed are hold ing off with the exception of receiv ing little more money for signing. AS a matter of fact the club owners have not pressed the players to sign the contracts sent to them this season. They realize what it means for a play CT who is member of the fraternity to sign a contract at this time, wheth- CT or not he signed the pledge to hold out until given permission They know what it means to be ridden by the other players during the season and realize that their men can avoid this by holding off until the very last moment
 It is not denied that the major lea que players are willing to lend their support to the minors in their fight, but 1t is moral support and not the kind that will affect the purse. A case in point is that of Iris Speaker, who is bound by a long-term contract to the Cleveland club at a large sal ary. He was reported to be a warm supporter of F'ultz and the players strike, and sent a telegram express ing his feelings to the meeting held in New York recently, but when this was made the subject of publicity by Fultz in order to show that he had the support of the stars in the big leagues. Speaker promptly issued another statement declaring that while he was. morally in favor of the fraternity, he would certainly report to the club for the spring training trip
 The same conditions exist in other instances. Letters have been received from players explaining to the mag mates that, while they have no com plaints to register against the terms offered, they would not forward their signed contracts at this time. Other players. who have had their salaries reduced or who have been offered con- tracts for the same money received last year and expected an increase, have either sent them back to the clubs or notified the owners that they are dissatisfied, but will hold off until reporting time comes or the salary question can be adjusted. k
 Simply a Question of Money
 Bill KilIefer, of the PhiIlies, is a member of the fraternity and active in it's interests, but both he and AL exander, who is also a member, have announced that the fraternity and the threatened strike have nothing to do with their refusal to sign at this time It is simply question of salary with Alexander and Killefer. There is a big difference between the money President Baker has offered Alexander and the salary the star pitcher de- mands, but killefer has announced that there is no trouble between him and the club and he says he feels confident that the matter can be ad- justed when the proper time comes.