The Washington times., 1917-03-05
PLAYER FRAT DEAD
ISSUE WITH GRIFFS
Men at Camp will Pay No More
Money for Membership in
Organization.
POOR WEATHER HOLDS OUT
Thunderstorm Yesterday, But a
Little Sunshine Gives En-
couragement.
POOR WEATHER HOLDS OUT
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER

AUGUSTA, Ga, March 5-That the
baseball players fraternity is dead
issue among the Washington players
already here may be learned after a
moments chat with any of those lads
who paid their SIS into Dave Fultz's
Golfers last year. This is all the more
remarkable because John Henry, in
charge of the Washington branch of
the organization, vice president and
director in the fraternity, is still a
member of the club and most re-
spected by his fellow players. In 1915
the Washington club was one of the
strongest fraternity clubs in either
big league.
Oragnized baseball has severed all
relations with the players union, but
Fultz has not resigned, nor has any
action been taken to disolving the or
ganiZation. SO far as known, the
union still exists, il only on paper.
Hold On To Money.
Whether the Washington players
will send in their designations to
President Fultz, or merely allow
their membership to lapse, cannot yet
be learned, but one thing is certain,
no more money is going to be paid
to the unions treasury. That paying
stun has a harsh sound In the ears
of the players.
'FuItz Is honest, I believe, and q
smart lawyer" says one player here,
who does not care to. be named,
''but he made a fiivver last winter
with his strike talk. 1 paid my dues
aaF without kick hut
nix on the 1917 dues. 1 figure myself
just SIS out, that's all After it was
all over / had to arrange my own
business with Griff. He treated me
fairly and 1 have no complaint to
make, but no more dues. can't
speak for any of the other boys, but
] guess most of them are Of the same
mind"
May Drop Out.
II the player quoted above is a
sample of the club, the Washington
club will drop out OF the union
through non-payment of dues, unless
Fultz dissoIves the organization some
nne morning.
The Iamentable failure of the or
ganization last winter has filled the
players with disgust. They really
tain high salaries for everybody. Now
only those deserving top salaries are
getting them. To get the big money
the players will have to deliver the
goods, and no membership in any
union Is going to be OF any assist
Rnce.
Get Extra Sleep
Lame legs and stiff backs rule in
the training camp here as result Of
the first two days work. Shaw and
Harper are the only pitchers not com
planning, though "Dil" Berry, the
Chicago amateur, is saying very lit
ue He is afraid of being kidded by
his more experienced companions
As a natural consequence, yester-
days day of rest was fully appre-
ciated. General AItrock and Captain
Henry conferred with Mike Martin
Saturday night and the boys were al
lowed an extra half hour in bed yes
terday morning.
''Dil" Berry failed to hear about it
and SO he was the first up.
Old Sol Appears.
More rain was on the program yes
terday, though the morning was
promising. Patches of blue SIX ap-
peared around noon, but shortly after
II clouded up and an old-fashioned
thunder storm broke upon the town.
Heavy rain fell all the rest of the day.
II is predicted here that the rain is
about done now. as it has been rain
ing for four days, longer than at any
time in the past six weeks.
Several Of the players took long
walks in the morning and others were
on ihe point OF starting out in the
afternoon when the rain came This
saved them a drenchinE, as il did not
cease at all once il began.
Henry TO PIay Golf,
John Henry, the teams lone golfer,
expects to get in a little playing at
the Bon Air before leaving Augusta.
Z However, for a week or so more his
duties at the ball park will hardly
admit of his getting away from the
daily drills.
Information has reached the camp
that a drill sergeant from Atlanta
will come to Augusta this week to
begin military instructions Con
trary to predictions. the players are
taking the matter seriously, and the
Washington players should all have
military bearings by the time they
start homeward. 1t had been thought
that the plan suggested by Captain
Huston, OF the Yankees, would be
greeted with a long, loud laugh
among the players, but such does not
prove TO be the case.
should Have Speed.
II the rain disappears and the pres
ent warm spell continues the pitch
ers should be using plenty of speed
by the time the other players ar.
rive. The second squad will not get
into uniforms until Friday, not be-
ing due here Thursday until the az
ternoon. The curve artists will be
told to cut loose about next week.