New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-23
BALL PLAYERS
PREPARING TO
DESERT UNION
High-Priced Men Do Not
Care to Affiliate with
Labor
RN W. ]. MACBETH


major league players arc concerned
but that class Of membership IS about
70 revolt, and will break away from the
Players Fraternity, it was stated yes
torday by an official of the union. This
information came 70 the writer by let
ter with the request that identity be
protected for the present.
David l.. Fultz," says the letter, Tex
cceded mis- authority when he attempt
ed 20 affiliate our cause with the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor. We did not
promise FUltz, even. that We would
make an issue Of minor league con-
Germs. VIC assured him that VIC would
stick till the major magnates climinat-
ed the disability clause from their con-
tracts. That has been done. We have
no further quarrel
II wish 70 inform YOU the mlssiYe
continued. that countcr-move has
been started against the executive OF
the Fraternity. / attended meeting
Of several major league players few
days ago. without exception every
ono deplored the fact that the labor
union element had been dragged into
this controversy.
Oppose Labor Move
Isl 81 want to 20 on record right here
that major league ball players Will not
stand for the affliation Of our cause
with organized labor. This position has
been stated clearly to the Fraternity
head. The major league players are
ready TO break away rather than to COM
promise themselves on an issue III
which they have no concern.
II understand the Fraternity head IS
about TO launch a campaign Tor the
alignment of the more obscure MINOR
leagues with his cause. That is another
reason why VIC Of the major league
should break away. Major and minor
ball is A. far separated as the East
and the West.
"You are on the right track: the
letter concluded. There viii DC no
strike of major league players. II an
attempt is made TO take any more
minor leaguers into the players or
canization you will see the grandest lot
OF designations on the part Of the Ma
tional and American league performers
that YOU can imagine. The stars OF the
game do not propose to be goats LOT
any professional promoters.
In connection with the foregoing let
ter IL is interesting 70 note that the
very same attitude is taken by great
many Of the foremost lights or the
Baseball Players Fraternity. Laughing
Larry Doyle, stanch union man, notl-
fed Charles Neeghmsn yesterday that
he would report to the Cubs IN chicago
ON February 20. Doyle said he was not
in sympathy with the strike threats Of
Fultz; that he would refuse 70 go out.
Threaten to Withdraw
Dick Hoblitzell, first bssemsn of the
worlds champion Red Sox, who is an
official of the union, threatens 70 With
draw from membership in the Fra
ternity affiliates with the Federation OF
Labor. Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Peckin-
paugh, Walter Johnson, Alexander,
Frank Baker. Iris Speaker, Rabbit
Meanwhile and a score of others have
openly repudiated Fraternity policies
as publicly announced.
That the member quoted above had
one true line on his dope was evidenced
in an announcement from David l..
Fultz, president Of the Fraternity, that
he had decided TO let the bars down TO
players Of Glass 3 and Class c leagues.
Fultz declared the applications Of mem
bers from 8 Glass league had already
been favorably acted upon.
zone of my players assured me by
letter to-day" said an official % one OF
the local clubs, that he has forwarded
his resignation from the Fraternity. In
~1,,Aako,tt trrorr ho fwffr4atQn the
major league membership would with
draw in a body rather than allow a
minor league issue TO cloud the 1917
season."
This same official declared that more
players of both major leagues have
Forwarded signed contracts than has
been customary at this early stage OF
the season.
In order not TO expose its hand 70
the enemy, the major league policy
has been, SO far, 10 keep under cover
rs TO players signed. Harry II. Frazee,
president Of the worlds champion Red
Sox, came out boldly in Boston yester-
day and laid his cards on the table:
Frazee declared he had the signed
contracts of nine players, and that
five more would be eligible by Thurs
day. Manager Jack Barry. Ruth, Shore
and Agnew are among the englbies.
The five coming documents are from
PLAYERS equally valuable. The an
nouncement is significant because the
Red Sox were supposed 20 boast by Tar
the most ardent Fraternity members OF
the major leagues.
CAPTAIN Cy Seymour, Of Mike Don
Inns transforming collection that
hopes to make Cuba some time before
the dog days, has indefinitely sus-
pended Comedian Dutch Schaefer
Germany met Cy on the Rlalto early
Saturday afternoon, and gave nm the
quick rush.
"a ten spot, quick" he gaspcd, "to
rescue me from a taxi pirate
Cy didn't have IL on him, OF course.
But an old campaigner, who happened
20 blow along, produced half OF the re
ouested sum. Schaefer scurried of
and got aboard Of a 20 10 l shot at
New Orleans
McGraw. who stumbled into Cy late
Saturday night happened TO mention
Schaefer's good fortune. Dutch didn't
feel like declaring Seymour IN. Hence
the suspension.
The Chicago Cubs will play six ex-
hibition games in Los Angeles and San
Francisco next spring. Games Will he
played in Los Angeles on March 3, T.
10 and II. and IN San Francisco on
March II and rs. The Cubs WIZ so
into training az Pasadena, Cal, on
February pc.
EMES HAS NOT ASKED
FOR HEARING AS YET