New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-15
BASEBALL FORCES
FORMING LINES
FOR BIG BATTLE
Preliminary Skirmishes
on Strike Question Due
Here This Week
Rr W. ]. MACBETH

The preliminary skirmisheS OF the
two sides interested in the threatened
baseball strike will be witnessed IN tins
CITY and elsewhere this week. The
rresldcnts OF the two major leagues
and their representatives who form tne
ioint schedule committee will meet TINS
yrorninc At the Offices OF John h. Iener,
pres,dent OF the National League.
Tire International League will hold
speciat meeting to-day at the Hotel I'M
nc~ial President David L. Fultz OF
TIE Baseball Players Fraternity has in.
structed his lieutersntS TO call players
meetings i'm various parts Of the couh-
try. Al Demarcc has ordered all the
athletes living IN the Middle west TO
assemble in Chicago Tuesday.
Baseball officials Unperturbed
That organized baseball does not in
tend publicly TO acknowledge treplda-
fion or apprehensiou is evidenced IN the
statements OF August Hermann, chair
nan OF the National Commission. II
rad been planned to hold special
meeting Of the triumvirate tins week.
The meeting has been indefinitely post
poned, doubtless because OF the false
impression Il mighty convey 70 the
minds Of the players. While IN chicago
Saturday Hermann and Johnson I'M
doubtodly discussed the SITUATION
which will probably furnish the two
major league presidents a topic for TO-
osy's meeting.
The meeting Of the club owners Of
ths BARROW circuit az the Hotel I'M
psri1l to-day pales somewhat IN sig
ni6canco because OF the strike tax.
This Glass A league, however, IS
directly interested in the proposed
walk-out. and may be expected 10 an
noupce a definite stand in the matter.
President I'd Barrow has declared his
fellow associates would welcome
strike, as il would give the club owners
A good excuse 10 close down Tor a year.
This the international League was
preparing TO do year ago, when the
Federal League suddenly DECIDED 10
surrender. The international League
executive believes strike would be the
best means of readjusting salaries 10
sensible business standard. -,
Fultz's most recent statement would
make it appear that the head OF the
fraternity has weakened percepubly
since Ban johnson declared war on
MIN. Fultz's latest proposition is meek
and humble compared 10 the ultlmatum
Of few days ago. He says the ira
ternity IS willing 10 permit any I'M
martial tribunal 10 referee the dispute
between the union and the National
Board Of Minor Leagues The players
are willing-even anxious-tO rest their
case with the National Commission.
Proposition Rings Fair
That proposition rings fairer to the
lnvman than it is in reality. The Ma
tional Commission has absolutely no
jurisdiction in the matter. The peace
agreement under which organized base
ball operates gives 10 the minor leagues
the boon of government. The com
mission deliberates only on cases that
involve jor league interests, except
whore major and minor interests CLASH
or where minor decisions are carried to
appeal.
triumvirate unsought TO override the
governing body OF the minor leagues.
IL the minor leagues are disposed TO
accept the commission as a board of
arbitration, why that IS another matter.
II think the strike would have found
greater favor with the players Of fast
company" said former Giant, III
Fultz had found a grievance against
the big fellows. ] was mixed up IN
the proposed walkout over the Kraft
squabble." he continued, "snd | tell
YOU all of US were pretty thoroughly
disguised that we had allowed our
selves to be hoodwinked into making
a fight over a principle that in nowise
concerned US.
ut is hardly right 70 ask a man to
hazard his future in an affair that
does not concern him, especially when
mis- employers, in no manner whatever
responsible. show a disposition Of abb
solute fairness.
Personally, know the majoc
league players who pledged themselves
20 Fultz did so believing the alleged
grievance was a common one. Slnc'
that time the major leagues have
taken pains to adjust the supposed
evils 81 their contracts l cannot see
where the major league players are
further under obligations to the
fraternity"