Arizona republican., 1917-01-12
FRAT THROWS
DOWN BATTLE
GAGE To D. B,
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

NEW YORK, Jan. 1.-THE baseball
players fraternity. through its prcsi-
dent, David l.. Fultz today threw down
the gauntlet 10 organized baseball and
declared that unless the magnates
agreed to the requests of the fraternity
there would be no need of training
camps this spring.
As evidence of the earnest intent OF
the fraternity 70 fight for what II
terms its just rights, the organization
announced that IL had expelled Pitcher
Harry +. Salee from membership be-
cause he had signed contract with
the New York National league club
after he had promised that he would
stand with the fraternity until given
the word that would permit Of con
tract acceptance.
"Sallee was member of the frater-
nifty and voluntarily pledged himself,
with between 500 and 700 other players
not to enter into a contract until he
was instructed Ia do so. after our re-
quests to organized baseball had re-
ceived proper consideration" said
President FultZ "As no consideration
whatever has been given our requests
to the board, and as Sallee acted in
direct violation of his pledges. he was
expelled fror1 the fraternity today.
ball players as a man who broke his
word.
For over two years We have.
through petition. argument and appeals
to public sentiment and to the board
Of arbitration of the national associa-
ton of baseball leagues sense Of fair
ness attempted to get. not sweeping
reforms. but only those ordinary con-
t siderations which are well recognized
. b.. ffKsrf sfx.r. If a..r MIA
( things which the national, commission
/ long ago grated us, On behalf of the
major leagues, and which they have
gone on record as approving for the
! minors. In this we have failed abso
/ lutely.
This beard does not comprehend
these methods and has in addition
violated it's agreement with us. 1t is
now case OF continuing to accept
breaches Of their contract and of sub
hitting to unfair regulations. or talk
ing In terms which the board under
stands
President John X. Tener. Of the Ma
tionai league and one of the three
members OF the national commission.
said tonight that he deplored the
threatened stand of the baseball play
ers' fraternity in so far as 1t might
affect the National league. as there
was absolutely no ground for what
might be termed a strike on the part
II players expected 10 play with the
senior organization next season
President Tener refused to say what
methods of retaliation might be adopt
ed in case the fraternity members car
ried out their threat TO strike but stat
ed that the situation would undoubt-
eddy be discussed al the schedule meet
ing OF the big leagues in this city next
Monday.
There is absolutely no moral or le-
gal basis for strike on the part Of our
players said President Tener. las wt
have granted every request that has
been made TO the National league.
The national commission has ne
7 Jurisdiction over the minor leagues OF
the national board. ard these bodies
have a perfect right to adjust iheil
relations with their PLAYERS as they
7 may see fit So far as the big league
players are concerned, a refusal Of a
majority OF them TO sign contracts
J with their respective clubs until mat
tiers concerning the minor league clubs
are adjusted to their satisfaction Is
equivalent In Il broad sense to a sym
pathetic strike | feel sure that the
! average follower of baseball will moi
: support the players under such circum'
. stances.
: Speaking for the international league
in regard TO the fraternity requests
President Edward @. Barrow tonight
declared that the international "an,
the minor leagues In general. vii
welcome a strike.
THE minor leagues are In no humol
to be coerced. or forced into doint
something which they do not care Il
do" he said I'VE will welcome :
years vacation and perhaps by the enc
/, OF the year the players may sing Z
different tune. our owners nave h-ei
losing money and holding on, and tn
PLAYERS have been getting the money.
IL can't help but say, however, tina
Ful,z action Is poorly advised and III
has gone long way to break his or
ganization.' e52s AhlNe