The Washington herald., 1917-01-18
FEDERATION OF LABOR
and MAGNATES in PACT
Rumor of Secret Agreement Between
American League and Gomper's
Organization.

New York, Jan. 7.-Any gentleman who
deliberately sticks his head into a hang
mans moose is not deserving of whole
lot of sympathy. That is Just what the
Baseball Players Fraternity has done in
its application for charter in the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, in the opinion
of Ban Johnson, president OF the Amer
lean League.
II sincerely hope they join the Fedora
tion," said big Ban. TT will simplify
| their determination.
| Gladly will we enter into a union
proposition with the fraternity" he con-
1 tfnued. 1T would cut the overhead ex-
| penses to quarter of what now pre-
walls. union scale of wage for ball
playing would be established. With the
latent jealousies of the kindred organi-
ration voting on the question, promoters
OF the game need have no apprehension.
| Let them set the wage at the maxi
mum standard. Let them fix double the
| pay of the best union scale. Stars
of the renown of Ty Cobb, Iris
Speaker and Grover Alexander would be
compelled to toll for one-third their pres
cnt recompense. This striking of bal
ance would more than effect the scheme
Of economy in salaries that has been
exploited-but not eracticed-in the re-
lations OF employer and employees this
| year.
Thinking baseball players will never
tolerate the idea OF q union wage for
| the profession. This would destroy the
incentive for progress and advancement.
| Under such a union system pitcher
would get SO much, an infielder SO much,
an outfelder SO much. and a catcher SO
much, irrespective of personai worth The
artist would suffer the limitations of the
mediocre performer"
Among the leading magnates, who for
| one reason or another are in the city at
the present time. feeling of triumph
was evidenced over Fultz's action In ap-
plying for charter under the American
Federation of Labor.
The tip was out, but could not be con-
frmed, that Ban Johnson and Samuel
Gompers were as close as Damon and
Pythias Indeed, it was said unofficial
ly that johnson held contract that
bound the federation not to butt into
baseball
This contract was subscribed to by the
union heads some years ago as a means
Of settling a labor strike that arose in
connection with the building of the
Cleveland American League Club grand
stand. The unions Of the Middle West
have been strong for the American
League for some time.
David l.. Fultz. president of the Base
ball Players Fraternity, was rather
non-committal on his plans for union
Ism yesterday. he expressed MS con-
viction, however, that his organization
would carry its point in the end.
The big showdown" said Fultz, will
come on February %, the date set fo-
the departure from Chicago of the Cubs
for California Eighteen of the Cub
players are under pledge not to sign till
the demands of the minor leagues have
been granted"
Fultz declared that the fraternity men,
Der who intimated the strike was a
flivver had been grossly misinformed. He
stated that within the last few days
sixteen major league stars had met ia
this city and pledged themselves to see
the issue through from Fultz's view
point. Fultz also said that Sallee, the
Giant southpaw recently expelled from
the fraternity. had written letter ex-
pressing sorrow for his action in
signing a contract with the New York
Nationals. Sallee, the communication
said, 1t was alleged, had repented of his
sin almost before the ink dried on the
document.