The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-23
FuItz Opens Doors to Glasses B
and c and Big Leaguers
Protest.
BAN JOHNSON IS HAPPY
Red Sox, According to Harry
Frazee, Are Sending in
Signed Contracts.
~ LOUIS A. BOUCHER

charter from the American 49,
ton of Labor, President David
Fult1, now announces that the Base
balI PIayerss Frs ternity win welcome
players Of Class and Class leagues
into equal membership with major
leaguers-
Almost simultaneously comes wore
that major league players all over
the country are turning in their resig-
nations to Fultz, refusing to be ''made
goats" by professional promoters. IL
Is estimated that of the 1900 mem
bers of the organization at present
fully three-Quarters are former big
leaguers who have slipped back into
the bushes.
The backbone Of the players strike
is broken" said. Ban johnson on the
eve of his departure for Dover Hail.
Ga, where he will prepare the 1917
schedule for ratification next month.
One Player Writes.
A major league player, asking that
his name be kept dark for the present
has written to Bill McBeth. of the
New York Tribune. expressing dissat-
isfaction with the recent work OF
Dave Fultz.
David L. Fultz." says the letter,
exceeded his authority when he at
tempted to affiliate our cause with
the American Federation of Labor.
We did not promise Fultz, even. that
we would make an issue of minor
league concerns. We assured him
that we would stick till the major
smagnates eliminated the disability
clause from their contracts. That
has been done. We have no further
quarrel.
Il wish to inform you" the missive
continued. that a counter-move has
been started against the executive
Of the fraternity. j attended a meet
Ing OF several major league players
few days ago. without exception
every one deplored the fact that the
labor union element had been dragged
into this controversy.
Oppose Labor Move.
Want to go on record right here
that major league ball players will not
stand for the utilization of our cause
with organized labor. The position has
been stated clearly to the fraternity
head. The major league players are
ready to break away rather than to
compromise themselves on an issue in
which they have no concern
Il understand the fraternity head Is
about to launch a campaign for the
alignment Of the more obscure minor
leagues with his cause. That is an
other reason why we of the major
league should break away. Major and
minor ball 10 as far separated as the
East and the West
You are on the right track" the
letter concluded. There will be no
strike of major league players. II an
attempt Is made to take any more
minor leaguers into TIE players or
Ganization you will see the grandest lot
Of resignation on the part. of the Ma
tional and American League performers
that you can imagine. The stars Of the
game do not propose to be goats for
any. professional promoters"
Red sox Are Signing.
A week or so ago Duffy Lewis. the
Red Sox outfielder. was quoted as say
ing that the worlds champions would
strike. II Fultz gave the word" Today
Harry Frszee boldly announces that he
has already signed nine players and
1--WE more will be eligible by Thursday
Apparently the Red SoX have broken
away from the fraternity.
Larry Doyle, a strong fraternity man,
has notified Charlie Weeghman that he
IS not in sympathy with the proposed
strike and will report February -, to
make the trip to Pasadena with the
Cubs.
On the other hand. George Whitfield.
the PhiIlies' oUtielder. has refused to
sign for 1917. a. 1 says he will stick
to the fraternity to the end. He IS
Joined by his clubmate. Dode Baskert,
who has returned an unsigned contract
to President Baker. Of the Phillies.
Charlie EbBets Explains.
An insight into the reason for the
saIary-cutJing now In vogue Is offered
by the explanation of Charlie Ebbets,
president of the Brooklyn Dodgers,
why eleven of the National League
champions have had their salaries re
duced.
Ebbets said that his action is but a
mere return to normal conditions, as
every player but one of the eleven
has been offered more money than he
was paid before the Federal League
came into the field.
OF the eleven in question, six forced
the Brooklyn club to cancel contracts
under which they had been working
during the league seasO l, threatening
to jump to the Feds unioss their de
mands were granted. Two others
forced this action between seasons
and three others came to the Brook
lyn club from other clubs with long
term contracts.
LaVan RebukeE Players.
Johnny Lavan, the Brownies crack
little shortstop, hands out a singing
rebuke to those players who would
strike.
Amy major league player who will
20 out on a strike at this time Is
working against his own interests
and playing into the hands OF the
magnates," says Lavan. The club
owners won't worry much II We
strike. It will be the player who will
worry"
Icy Hoffman, former big league
oUtheIder and now a minor league
manager, comes TO bat with an anus
ing reason for the failure OF any
strike. There won't be any," says
Hoffman,. why, there are. some
players smoking only two cigarettes
q day because they have no paydays
In the off-season. They can't await
Till they grab q salary envelope and
then can smoke a pack day"