New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
LABOR DELAYS
ACTION UPON
BASEBALL WAR
Gompers Says Application
of Players Will Be
Considered
BY W. ]. MACBETH

The proverbial age OF Ann is an
easy problem compared TO the shades
of mystery that surround Davcy
Fultz's application, on behalf OF the
Baseball Players Fraternity, for a
charter unde- the American Federation
of Labor.
Samuel Gompers, who makes the
Scions of manual toll sit up and per-
form tricks. knows nothing more about
it than you or |, or friend Davey, for
that matter, if he speaks according 10
the book Suave and debonair in his
mink-lined broadcloth, Mr.. Gompers
came right out boldly last night with
the assertion that nothing absolutely
uothing-had been done in the matter.
81 am a busy man, very, very busy
man." said Mr.. Gompers. "I'm too
busy TO fan baseball. Really nothing
has been done. There is nothing to
give out. The matter is under advise
ment. | can't say any more" and he
nodded to Secretary Morrison.
These officials of organized labor
with the nine other members of the
executive council of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, had just concluded
an important conference at the CONT
mental Hotel, Forty-frst Street and
Broadway, yesterday afternoon.
Absolutely Nothing"
"a lot of incidentals must be looked
into" Mr.. Gompers was squeezed on a
second attack. "The mills of the gods
grind slowly. but exceeding fine. |
can't talk, really. Pm too busy to talk.
Nothing more TO be said, gentlemen,
absolutely nothing"
Mr.. Gompers was asked point blank
If the Fraternity had been turned
down.
"That is not so,' he replied. "The
matter is still under advisement."
Compared to Samuel Gompers, Sec
rotary Morrison was the Sphinx itself.
you'll have TO get your information
from the chief" was as far as the Sec
rotary would declare himself.
Secretary Morrison declared that the
executive council had concluded its
business and would not meet again
Until the next regularly scheduled date
at Washington in April. He would
rot say whether or not any official &C.
ton or any official announcement might
be made before that time.
1--WE have a lot of business coming
up all of the time" he ventured. III IS
really impossible TO predict what an
nouncements may or may not be made.
refer you to Mr.. Gompers."
Mr.. Franey, commander in chief OF
the organization department, was not
sure that in the press of business the
Fraternity request had been reached.
"See Mr. Gompers later" he said;
"there will be another meeting then;
Mr.. Franey is the gentleman who Will
lead the goat for David L. Fultz and
his associates if the Fraternity IS ac-
cepted by the brotherhood.
A third visit to Mr.. Gompers divulged
tho fact that he was on speaking terms
with the Fraternity, at any rate. .,
Union labor" said he, feels that II
the ball players are in any way OPP
pressed by their employers, these men
should have the sympathy of ourselves.
I am not prepared TO say whether OF
not they are entitled TO that SYM
patty" :.
From hints dropped hither and yon II
would rot be bit surprising II opin.
ion in the council is pretty evenly
divided on the proposition Oh eNIenIlns
fellowship TO the oppressed ball play
az One even went so far as to inti-
mate. half iokingly. that chance assess
ments from such a we'll paid profession
we're not TO be sneezed at. Perhaps II
tho truth were known it would be found
that sentiment on the other side Is
ouite as distinctly divided. The play
ers Of the Fraternity especially the
membership represented in the tw9
major leagues - are growing colu
tou,ard union ideas. But, unfortu-
ratelv for the National and American
League members, the underbrusn o.
the sticks can outvote them three 10
one and more.
certain element of organized base
ball takes comfort in the fact that the
Fraternity has not been given charter
nv organized labor. This it interprets
as n sign that the big slam is TO ne
eased home gently. It was pointed OUT
that the threat Of affiliation with labor
was the big trump Fultz promised some
weeks ago.
Delay Is Dangerous
whatever prestige Fultz may nave
hoped 70 gain in his dealings, with
union labor could be blocked by the ac-
ton OF the labor council" SAID an
official of one of the local big league
teams yesterday.
"Fultz was making a play for the
immediate present TO keep his hagglng
followers in line. Delay until April is
bound 10 be quite as telling blow as
a cold rundown would have been. This
question is going 20 be decided long
before April. II will be decided before
the teams leave for their training
camps"