New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-18
BAN JOHNSON
SAYS BASEBALL
IS A FINE ART
SHOULD Artists Unionize
with Laborers?" He
Demands
By W. ]. MACBETH

Ran Johnson has gone, but his bellig-
erent spirit remains. The executive OF
the American League left yesterday AZ
ternoon for Chicago, but not before
he had lined up the National League
to make a fight TO the bitter end against
the widely advertised strike Of base
ball players. -,
81 wished to be sure Of my ground
said Johnson, before | committed my
self. I am sure Of it now, and VIII
say that the American League VIII
never retract one inch from the stand
il has taken. The fight Of the Baseball
PLAYERS Fraternity on the mslor
leagues is all wrong. 1t has not the
vestige Of justice on its side. IL mas
made an issue out Of a subtertuge'
"Therefore, the American League IS
prepared 10 90 TO any lengths neces-
ssrv TO safeguard its interests agslhsV
the persistent encroachments OF the
nlsyers' union. / am satisfied the Ma
tional League will adopt similar poi
lev. But, whether or no, We OF Nhe
American League know where we STAND.
We will 20 TO the mat. We are not
looking for trouble. We 90 not pro
pose meekly 10 permit trouble 10 De
thrust upon US. -.
johnson declared that, in his opinion
the rank and file OF major league staIs
would never subscribe to poncy lhhI
MIGHT perhaps limit their earning pow
Baseball an Art
81 am satisfied" said he, chat the
PLAYERS who are supposed TO De pleogeu
20 Fultz have not a clear understand
inc, of the situation. Baseball is pro
fession. not a trade; an art rather
han a form Of labor A players sal
arv should be gagged by his worth as
q drawing attraction. Manual enort
does not figure in the calculation. fer.
sonalitv counts. A Standardization OF
wage would count against the thestri,
cal worth Of the layman. AS Dali
nlaver. measured in capsbility on the
field. Nick Altrock would not be worth
a plugged quarter in fast company. AS
a comedian he might be invaluable.
From hints that he dropped, johnson
intends 70 have nothing further to 90
with the Baseball Players FRATERNITY
His colleagues have been instructed 70
bear with the situation without COM
ment for the present. But II the amer
ican League contracts mailed out are
not returned signed at a certain GATE
say. February 1-others will be SUB
stituted at lower salary considerations
No players will be allowed, unsigned
TO report at spring training camps
The magnates do not regard the
strike in any humorous vein. They an
ficjpate a fivver. but are prepared TO
see the thing through in the most serl-
ous manner. They are prepared to 60
10 the length Of putting the psdiocks
on their gates rather than TO submit to
what they express as a rank attempt at
hold-up.
Owners Could Stand IL
A National League authority yester,,
dsv pointed out that a lockout would
break the players more quickly than IL
would break the owners.
ANY one who promotes major league
baseball" said he, "is prepared TO
gamble for a high stake. Only half OF
The clubs can figure in the hrst divi-
sion. And unless the race Is eHcep-
tionally keen a second division berth
usually means the loss Of S2O,OOO at the
most conservative estimate.
sFew. if any, Of the major league
clubs would lose more than $4,000 II
10 were necessary 20 suspend the game
for a whole year They would lose only
the overhead and the upkeep Of their
parks. as in a strike no salaries would
have 70 be paid. The city hardest hit,
perhaps. would be New York, but here
two owners would share the loss"
Captain T. L. Huston, OF the Yam,
KEGS. Is OF the opinion that firm stand
on the part OF the owners will make
the major league players realize the in
Justice OF their fight.
cap" Is for Justice
my sentiments" said the CAPTAIN
were slightly misrepresented. am
not antagonistic TO organized labor.
Indeed, | favor IL and its principles. |
have done so through long business
career. But this is a question Of diff
ferent nature. l stand for justice. be
that Justice coming either TO capita! or
20 labor. Until l am convinced that
the PLAYERS OF the major leagues have
p lust grievance against their employ
crs-a far better case than has been
made out so far-I shall oppose with
every possible means either arbitration
or backdown. And, doing so, shall be
lighting the cause of the honest and
conscientious player rs much as my