New Britain herald., 1917-02-15
BASEBALL STRIKE WILL NOT HAPPEN
|lltz Throws Up Sponge When Time for Showdown Arrives

New York, Feb 15.-The baseball rike blew up yesterday and with it ent the Players Fraternity, a union
 players organized by David Fultz, Ermer Athletic and Yankee player. lring the 1912 season. The frater- ty was an offshoot of the Ty Cobb rike of the Detroit Players in 1911, Ehich followed the indefinite suspen- bn of the Tiger star for punching a pectator at the old Hilltop grounds
 this city.
 Fultz publicly admitted yesterday was wrong in involving the major agues in the minor league contro- ,rsy, withdrew his requests and sub- itted lcalmly to the action of the 70 major leagues and the National bmmission in severing all relations ith the fraternity.
 Events moved quickly in the strike tuation. John McGraw, who has sen the peace dove of the contro- |rsy, held another conference With nltz in the morning, when Tuesdays sgotiations were continued. Fultz en held conference with the fra rnity leaders-Vice Presidents John enry. Jack Miller and Bert Daniels Id Secretary Ed Reulbach.
 Seeing the hopelessness of their po- lion they decided to call off the rike, asking only for something hich already is covered in all 1917 sntracts-that there be no discrim- Iation against fraternity players.
 Sees Error of Strike.
 IFultz issued the following state !ent: Towing to the unfair position
 which the major leagues were aced in the present baseball contro- rsy between owners and players, e fraternity has submitted to the vners the following proposal: To re- ase all players from their pledges ,t to sign contracts upon the under anding that the owners will not dis iminate against fraternity players )r discipline them for their loyalty
 the fraternity in observing their edges.''
 Explaining his attitude Fultz said: When we first involved the major agues in this dispute I honestly be- sved I was right. I now am con- need I erred--but I made an honest nstake. I see now that the National bmmission had no power to force lese minor league requests on the hnor leagues"
 The condition which Fultz imposes n the major leagues were all cov- led in President Teners explanation the resolution breaking away from te fraternity. q suppose Fultz has lad a copy of the 1917 contract" Lid Tener. "It says emphatically no savar will "a liSoripoipota5 ir, c,t ecause of any affiliation with an out 4de organization.
 E'ultz Out in Cold.
 T believe I can best explain our po- Ition by saying we are like an enl- lover of a bis plant who has an pen shop. When we employ a man Ee do not ask him whether he is a nion or non-union man. We tell i'm you may belong to any organi- ation you like and as long as you Q your. work right, but if you have Allowances you must come to us and ot attempt to reach us through your nion officials
 Should Fultz send any further Communications to the national com afssion or to the major leagues they imply will not be answered, but as D punishing a player merely for fol- owing a misguided leader there is no feasibility of that.' ..- Ban Johnson first said: "The Amer gan League will treat all it's players Hike. We know of no fraternity. We ave S5 per cent. of our players un- Ter contract, and they will all be in he training camp. The American league will have no dealings with he players as a body and each club eill deal individually with it's play .rs"
 Johnson later qualified this state 1ent by saying: Tn behalf of the American League I will promise noth- ng to Fultz as to what action we may ake'
 Guarantees No Immunity.
 This was taken to mean that John lon does ont want to waive the right 10 discipline fraternity agitators- John Henry, for instance. Chairman Herman of the commission, Tener Ind other club owners pointed out, however. that this point is covered in he new uniform contract.
 Johnson also issued Q statement in vhich he said the American League Heartily approved of the action of the National League in breaking with the Fraternity and will take similar action It it's meeting today.
 Secretary Reulbach of the fraternity seemed to be of the impression that