Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-28
SOME PROS AND CONS
IN BASEBALL SQUABRLE
Strike VIII Start February 20,
Unless Demands Are Met.
WAR TO KEEP HIGH SALARIES
Yankees Captain Claims This Is
Purpose of Strike-Stars Not
laundering for Vacation--What
They Make.

Unless the merry 'magnutS' grant
the requests of the Baseball Players
Fraternity before February 20, the
nationwide baseball strike will be in
fun swing.
SO says Dave Fultz. the prexy OF the
players organization. and Davie claims
ne knows whereof he speaks.
February 20 is the date set for the
first big league club to start for its
training camp" says Fultz. "Presi-
dent Weeghman. Of the Cubs. has called
his players to Chicago on that date
to start for their training camp at
Pasadena. Cal. but If our requests are
not granted by that time eighteen
players-not substitutes. but the stars
Of the Cubs-wil be among the mis-
sing. AS the time arrives for other
clubs 10 start for their camps, they
Will be confronted by the same situa-
ton The players Will not move.
"Athliation with the Federation OF
Labor was sought to fortify our po-
sition but even without it the players
promised to stand firm. Some time
ago l sent oct circulars to all mem
ners OF the fraternity in an effort to
find out the sentiment Of the men. !
found that they are decided to stand
firm, That they mean business and
have agreed among themselves it is
time for a showdown.
when the major leagues had their
troubles with the league clubs some
two years ago the minor leaSuers stuck
by them. Now 1t is the minor Lacquer
VINO needs assistance, and the major
league players are going to help him
out.
Il want to make 1T plain that we
are totng fair Players with hang
over contracts have asked the fra
ternity what they shall do. They
have been told to live up TO their con-
tracts TO the letter. They will help
iS h<.H ,.i,,
ments with the club owners than they
could possibly do otherwise.
slim Sallee, who broke his frater-
nifty pledge, was sorry after he had
signed with the Giants. \ represen-
tative of the fraternity went to see
Sallee AT his farm, and the player said
he wished he had not signed. He
even offered to go to Cincinnati and
| make statement to the effect that
lie would not report to the Ginats. But
we have been unable TO overlook his
onense. IL might set bad example.
lust wait till the showdown comes.
The club owners will get startling
proof that the fraternity means bust
ness. There can be no half way mark
! about ii now. With nearly 700 play.
ers standing firmly together. the strike
Will mean something. Wait and See"
And with these harsh words EuItz
hurled his def into the teeth Of the
business and will carry ont the strike
is now generally believed, though
there is hope expressed that an under
Standing can be reached before the big
leagucrs start for the sunny South
Huston Says It's SALARY Strike.
Ihen. on the other hand one must
consider the views of Captain Huston,
half owner of the Yankees. who saws
the present embodiment is a salary
strike and the minor league requests
are only the pretext
lie claims the members OF the frater-
nity III the major leagues are not TAX
ing their stand in sympathy with toe
smaller fry. but solely to prevent a
Wholesale cutting of salaries that is
taking place. This has been ascer-
tanned from trustworthy source, who
disclosed the fact that the aim is to
nave the wartime contracts continued.
Says Huston: This is no sympathy
strike for the sake Of thu. minor
leaguers." said Foster. PROFESSIONALLY.
believe this strike will prove a tizzIe,
out 1t is easy to see the purposes
behind the ins,isators Now that the
Federal League is gone the players
seek 10 force the magnates TO retain
tire thing in nutshell"
And tuitZ has admitted: The mag
mates need no longer pretend tothide
the truth-that there has been n ~, m
paiBn wagcd throughout the @nlts OF
baseball 10 slash salaries, and some
oil the cuts are very stiff. Now that
the boys all have their contracts ahis
tact has become positively assured and
thcE do not take il kindly \ moderate
reduction was looked for after the close
OF the Federal League war. but moth
ing Ike the cuts which appear in the
new contracts"
comparison OF the following fsures
VIII snow the big jump in salaries rec
orded during the last six years:
salaries in 1910
!hthtc $1,000 Ss-Ckarl