The Washington times., 1917-01-22
Old Fox Receives Third Docu-
ment From Member Of His
1916 Outfit.
ALTRocK AWAITING ORDERS
Dick HobIitzel, Fraternity Dr.
rector, Disagrees With
FuItz's Action.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Another member of the Griffmen
of 1915 has signed his contract for
the coming season, defying the orders
of President David L. Fultz, of the
Baseball Players Fraternity.
When Manager Griffith opened his
mail today he was overjoyed to md
the signed contract which brings up
his total to three. Counting Johnson.
zeb Milan, Ray Morgan, and Eddie
Foster, all of whom are working on
contracts running through the 1917
season, seven players are sure to be
In line when the bell rings.
NO. can't say whose contract
came in today" laughed the Old Fox.
It'll be time enough to let the fans
know when we hike South. But.
Judging from letters coming in today,
many more of the boys will not hesi-
tate any longer than absolutely neces-
sary. l don't blame them for holding
back a few weeks to see what hap
pens to FuItz's demands. Some of the
boys live in small towns and never
see a newspaper from a big league
city. / suppose they are waiting for
the weeklies."
Nick AItrOck Writes.
Uncle Nick Altrock, larger half OF
the comedy knockabout team of AL
trock and Sawyer. came to time today
with a letter to "dear teacher" Nick
has left the vaudeville stage fiat on
its back and has gone in for selling
sporting goods. thus making himself
a professional in the eyes Of the golf
and tennis lords.
mick is full of pep" announces
Griffith, "and is anxious for marching
orders. He's a great card, Is old
Nick, and he'll be in the party leav-
ing for Augusta this spring. He
ought to be busy with that bunch OF
southpaws I've got"
The American League has adopted
a policy OF secrecy as to those play
ers signing contract for 1917. with
the exception of players admitting
their breaking away from the fra
ternity, until the athletes leave for
their training camps, the fans VIII
not be sure who is in line and who
isn't Manager Griffith, Withholding
the names Of the two regulars who
have signed, is carrying out this
policy of the league.
HobHtzeI DisaErees.
Added evidence of lack OF team
work among members OF the Players
Fraternity came to light today when
Dick Hoblitzel, first baseman OF the
worlds champion Boston Red Sox and
n director in the fraternity, an
nounced from his home in Parkers
burg. w. Va, that he is not in sym
pathy with the proposal to affiliate
with the American Federation OF La
Dor.
81 am with President Fultz In his
demands upon the magnates, says
Hobby, land IL a strike is to come
I'll stick to the fraternity, but l car
see no good to be derived from OBJ
tanning a charter from the American
Federation Of Labor. l don't think
baseball is the same thing as
trade"
Up to today forty major league
players nave lhulNdACN
faction with President Fultz's hand
ling of their case against the forces
81 organized baseball. Slim Sallee
the Giants veteran southpaw pitcher
and Oscar Stanage, Detroits veteran
backstop. have been expelled from the
fraternity for signing.
RAY Schalk, the White Sox catcher
is expected to meet the same rate
Comiskey gave his speedy little back
stop a fat raise and Immediately
signed contract flopped across Com
my's desk.
Question Of salary.
The real nub OF the controversy
seeus to be a question of salary
PLAYERS drawing wartime salaries
out of all proportion under present
conditions arc having slices given
them. Many have declined TO sign
81 lower terms than they had last sea
son.
In almost every case corning tC
light thus far where a player has
been given a raise, he has signed. In
many cases where 1915 salaries were
offered, the players have signed
Usually, where cuts nave Decn made
baking has resulted.
Casey SIengel, Znck Wheat, and
Otto Miller. of the Brooklyn Dodgers
have Joined the list of players kick
ing at their contracts. Not one oil
the three. in returning his contract
makes any mention of the impending
strike. however. They have based
their argument upon the salary Of
fered, not upon transportation eN
penses for minor leaguers.
Groh VIII Sign Up.
From Cincinnati comes the wore
that Heinie Groh, the Reds star in
fielder, will defy Fultz's order anC
sign a contract as soon as a satisfac
tory salary Is named.
81 cannot see why we big leaguers
who have been given everything W.
have asked for says Groh, land wht
are treated TO the best when travel
ing. should jeopardize our baseball
careers now at the request OF Dav'
Fultz.
81 have no kick coming, and dom
know any who have. II the >Cincin
natl club offers me a satisfactory con
tract, will sign without waiting fol
orders from Fultz,"