New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-07
President Tener Makes
Defence of Reserve
Clause
By ". J. MACBETH

The National Commission, at its re
cent meeting in Cincinnati, returned
courteous though emphatic denial TO
the various petitions for reform that
had been presented to the two mai Is
leagues by David L. Fultz, president OF
the Baseball Players Fraternity.
The commission called Mr.. Fuitzs at
tention to the fact that several alleged
practices to which he had objected IN
the conduct Of minor leagues relations
with players had never been attempted
let alone tolerated, in major baseball
Furthermore, Fults was informed that
the new form of contract recently rau-
fed by the National and American
leagues precluded the possibility thA'
they would ever be attempted.
Organized baseball, however, IS nol
certain that the head Of the fraternity
will accept this mild rebuff gracefully'
Indeed, it expects Fultz to go to ex-
tremties, even TO threatened STRIKE
itself But the owners OF the two
major leagues are prepared FOR Teal
light. They have determined TO close
I'd shop rather than give way to the
fraternity in what they consider form
of oppression.
An Attack Expected
Fultz is expected to attack the new
form of contract on two points the
reserve and ten-day option Of release
clauses that have been preserved and
the change in phraseology of these by
which major operators feel confident
they may effect needed economical re-
trenchment.
"The reserve clause is absolutely es-
scntial to the health and prosperity Of
the game" SAID President Tener OF the
National League yesterday. at is the
foundation of the professional game.
Thinking players realize the fact. That
economies must be practlsed they well
know in addition. Overhead expenses
have mounted until the cost of opera
ton exceeds the average gate receipts.
UNLESS a better balance is struck II
is purely a question of time before
bankruptcy consigns our parks to idle
ness. The players, quite as much as
the owners, are interested in prevent
ing such calamity.
lHOSt VINO IOOl the Wis III the wa
tional and American leagues intend to
proceed along more economical lines.
The late war with the Federal League
inflated salaries out of all proportion.
But | can say truthfully that there has
been absolutely no combine-or even
gentlemen's agreement-tow toward this
end. There will be no salary limits in
the major leagues. There will be no
maximum or minimum wage.
THE owners readily understand
that it is to their interests to have
their employees satisfied on the salary
question. The good, hustling players OF
the future will be as literally rewarded
as those of the past. The pairing will
be done at the expense of the men who
have not been earning their pay. In my
league | know of certain veterans who
will find their wartime contracts hay,
gone for good, but also know of many
instances where youngsters of spirit
will proht by liberal increases.
Slash and Cut
/ "a mistaken notion has gone arounC
/ that club owners intend TO slash anC
cut salaries indiscrminately. That il
not the case. Salary adjustments are
necessary. Worth and integrity will
/ profit at the expense of indifference and
sloth. Each club owner or manager will
attend to his own individual problems. "
The owners do not expect a strike.
But they are prepared for one. IL is
said that Fultz has advised all Fra
ternity members not 10 sign new con-
tracts which call for less salary than
the expired ones. The Fraternity head,
it is said, is prepared to go TO court to
prove that the reserve clause in itself
is contract binding for one year.
This reserve clause in the old form
Of contract stipulates that the owner
shall hold an option on the services of
a player for one additional year at the
salary figures named, provided the par
ties 10 the document are unable NUT
ually to agree upon new scale of pay.
Fultz, it is said, is prepared 10 base his
stand on the Interpretation of the
meaning Of the word mutual" He
holds that unless the player is satisfied
with new terms for one year he may
hold his employer TO the old.
Now, there is a rule in baseball that
players may not take part in cham
pionship games unless they are bound
Oy contract TO their clubs. This rule
the major msgnates intend TO enforce
to the letter. They will not accept the
reserve clause of an expired contract
as a contract in itself. The weapon
to be used against it is the ten days
option of release clause. II it comes 70
a showdown malcontents may easily be
released outright. Then to secure en-
ployment they would have to take the
owners terms. There are too many
stars at present under contract at sat
isfactory salaries utterly to destroy
the attraetiveness of the sixteen major
league teams.
New Contracts Mailed
The new form contracts, with salary
readj1Stments, have already been
mailed to all the unsigned players Of
A--..-...L - 4 .....-..n., 1890 I.