The Washington times., 1917-02-02
NEW FRATERNITY
Is LATEST PLAN
Magnates Seek to Encourage
Organization of Body to
Combat FuItz.
BY JOE villa,


NEW YORK, Feb. 2.-Accordins to
well informed baseball insiders. a
movement has been started by major
league players to form a new fra
ternity or union of their own for the
purpose of dealing directly with their
employers and at the same time
| eliminating the minor league ele-
ment.
These insiders declare that the big
league players have begun to realize
the awkward position in which thew
have been placed through the unions
attempt to obtain certain concessions
for the small fry.
Many major leaguers have report
ed satisfactory terms with their clubs
ana are anxious to sign contracts SO
that they can report at the training
camps on March 1, but owing to the
! unions edict they are compelled to
hold out until the alleged grievances
Of their minor league brethren have
| been adjusted.
Would Break Away.
lnasmuch as the major leagues
/ have refused to influence the minors
and the National Commission already
has severed relations with the union,
the big leaguers, who are giving much
thought to the situation, are said to
, be eager to break away from the
present ENHANCEMENT
They realize that IL the minor
| leagues were counted out of the union
| there would be no trouble about sign
, ing contracts.
Several leading magnates have ex-
pressed the opinion that II the major
league players would form a new or
| ganization to be devoted exclusively
| to their own welfare the former
cordial relations with the commission
would soon be renewed.
In other words, it is said that the
big leaguers, who want to be fair
with their employers are much dis
satisfied with their plight.
What Players Have.
( The average fan probably is famil-
lar with the treatment OF players by
organized baseball, but II may be well
/ to point out some of the things that
have been done in the profession.
Under present baseball laws every
player is sure of his salary, whether
he is under contract to a major or a
minor league club. II a club located
in some remote part Of the country
I
must be paid by promoters who sub
sequentIy operate that protected ter
ritory.
II one player owes money to an
other, he is compelled to settle the
debt before he can be placed in good
standing. II players are unjustly
, fined, 1t is possible to obtain redress.
Verbal Agreements Good.
erS and club owners. when backed up
with legal proof, are sustained. The
National Commission has handled
thousands OF cases in which the
claims of players against their en-
ployers have been fairly decided.
The operating agreement between
the majors and the minors has made
it possible for players to advance to
the front rankS Good ball players are
in demand, and they receive increas-
ed wages as they progress from the
small circuits to fast company.
But II must be remembered that
organized baseball is not promoted
exclusively for the players financial
benefit. The men who pay salaries,
travelling expenses, rent, taxes, and
overhead charges on expensive sta
diums are entitled to something. That
Is why the players salary demands,
which are Nevalent in both big
Ieagus, have been turned down. Or
ganized baseball cannot stand the
gan.
Horizon Is Clearing.
THE horizon is clearing" said
Governor Tener. president Of the Ma
tionaI League, today. 1--WE are re-
ceiving the most encouraging reports
from all the club owners. The play
ers are becoming reasonable and fair.
Within the next four weeks much
progress will be made in obtaining
signed contracts.
81 know that many players are
eager TO go South. They love base
ball and want to put on their uni
forms. They have no grievances, and
are on friendly terms with their en-
ployers.
"As a matter of fact, the club
owner is the players best friend. the
man who pays salaries and runs risks
of losing money is the one to whom
the player, must always look. Sensi-
BILE players know that popular in
terest means liberal salaries.
THE fans are not in sympathy
with the so-called strike, and for that