The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-05
FULTZ Is WARLIKE
REGARDING REVOLT
Fraternity Head Says Players
Have Not Been Instructed
to Sign Up.
THREATENS DIRE TROUBLE
carrigan Recommends Jack
Barry to Succeed Him as
Champions Manager.
THREATENS DIRE TROUBLE
BY LOUIS A. DOUGHER.


There is still an impasse in the base
ball situation. With contracts on their
way from big league clubs to players
all over the country. David L. Fultz,
president Of the Baseball Players Fra
ternity, calmly announces:
I'VE have not yet instructed our
=, players to sign"
About 80 per cent Of the big leaguers
are unsigned for 1917. and President
Fultz has signed pledges from every
member of the fraternity to await his
orders before agreeing to play this
coming season. The Showdown between
the players and the National Commits
sion is about due.
Fultz is confident of the loyalty OF
the players and says that they are
backing him up to a man.
situation In Unchanged.
There is no change in the Fraternity
situation" says Fultz. Our relations
with organised baseball are just the
same as when we made requests on
leans last November. We have not yet
heard from either the National Associa-
ton or the National Commission in re-
ply to the requests.
However, I have hopes that some
thing was done on the question at the
meeting Of the commission in Cincinnati
last Tuesday. 1t will be to their adj
vantage to let US hear from them"
The players leader declined to go
Into details concerning a possible re-
volt Of the athletes.
Owners Are Aggressive.
Most Of the major league owners
are aggressive in their hostility tow
ard the Players Fraternity and are
inclined to '1et it do its worst" They
decline to allow the fraternity to use
them as a hammer to obtain demands
from the minor leagues.
The fraternity's demands, presented
to the minors in New Orleans, are for
changes now in force in the big
leagues. In order to obtain these de-
mands, the fraternity proposes to
keep all major league players from
signing 1917 contracts until the little
fellows grant them.
Ban Johnson is said to head the
magnates in their battle against the
fraternity members. He is known to
be openly against what he terms "the
meddling and interference of Mr..
o1N15 VIM - hOb q pldyCEs
situation Is Critical.
II the fraternity really does back up
FuItz to the limit, the situation will
cali for much shrewd diplomacy on
both sides.
II so per cent of the big leaguers re-
fuse to sign until ordered by Fultz,
practically every club in the two cir
L. IL
cent report to their clubs, they may
draw salaries. but their clubs may
also decide not to open their parks.
Not a club will be able to put a real
ball team on the field
II a few players break away from
Fultz, as Bert Shotton is said to have
done a month ago, the fraternity may
go to the floor with a smash, stirring
up animosities between players in
both leagues.
This promises to be a lively winter
for the fans, the players, and the mag
mates.
Would Have Barry.
Bill Carrigan favors the appoint
ment of Jack Barry as the 1917 man.
ager of the worlds champion Red
Sox, according to advices from Lewis
ton, Ne, where Carrigan is wintering
and looking after his banking inter
ests. Whether Barry accepts the
place or not should be known within
a few days, as Harry Frazee is eX-
pected to confer with him at Worces-
ter, Mass, Immediately.
Carrigan told Frszee that he was
determined to retire from baseball
and then recommended Barry. with
Hafnfa m he rafainad in N
advisory capacity.
Barry is a month older than Carri-
gan was when he took charge of the
Red Sox and has had much more field
experience. II was Barry who con-
tfoIIed the 10000 infield OF the Mack
men, though Eddie Collins received
most of the praise coming 10 the
quartet.
Many Veterans There.
In the ranks of the team are many
veterans, including Larry Gardner,
Dick HoblitzeIl, Duffy Lewis. Harry
Hooper, and Forrest Cady. 1t is
doubtful If any of ,these players
would be considered as managerial
candidates, but their presence in the
lineup goes far toward Tightening
the burdens OF Bill CarriGan's sue
cessor.
Jack Barry has been quoted as OPP
posing any movement to make him
manager of the Red SoX, preferring to
do his best at second base and letting
somebody else do the worrying. But
his knowledge of baseball will al
ways be available.
Heinie Wagner failed as a minor
league manager, being placed at the
head of the Hartford Colonials last
season and then taken back by Joe
Lannin, but conditions in the bushes
are different from those in the big
leagues. Heinie might be a success
in Boston, but his value as a coach
and adviser Is sufficient to keep him
on the roster.
Griffith I'm Chicago.
Manager Griffith rs on his way
home from Montana and, according
to the ticking wires, is now in Chi
cago, calling upon Ban B, than whom
there cin't no greater" The Old Fox
is due here Saturday night.
1t Is expected that Griffith will
have considerable news for Washing
ton fans when he arrives. II he is to !