New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
a.rrmann Favors Ros,
ter of 16 to Is in
Both Leagues
Ry W. ]. MACBETH

-.ster limit OF eigh'eeh-0i' PoS
wen. sixteen-players may be
',,,..d by the National and American can.
'''Y for the 1917 season at the big
l'e.s.ll uow-wow here this week.
'' ~. information was brought East
...s,v BY August Hermann. chair
the National Commission, who
30 from Cincinnati, as customary,
ini'sJI dsrs ahead OF the National
s'sI .cb,dule meeting, which is set
1sSTv 0ssdsy at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hsis .o =, the air.tight copper
~ ro,ter of the smallest possible
r7''. ..; an, has been generally dis
Fopvaby the club owners of both
s''se1 ls.vues." said Mr.. Hermann.
scO sh,rmore. I should say the idea is
Iii., NTH the majority. Personally
s.nld welcome the scheme, espe-
.mr a. n trouble between this country
81 any European power should de-
uOp. ,;,;. 90 ,rcb
.. scone" continued the chairman
-, National Commission, should
IA construed either as threat or
we 70 checkmate the widely dis
- strike Of baseball players. Or
...;,sa baseball need raise no weapon
..;,.t this revolution. The strike is
"a There is no doubt about II.
Fraternity Issue Dead
q knov this from my relations with
q. Cincinnati club. AS president of
=. Reds | assure you there are but
s,.s or four players Of consequence
IN unsigned. Not one of the hold
80, mad raised the Fraternity issue.
,,uld have every signature within
,,,rty.four hours if agreed to salary
;,r,nds. That's the real answer to the
Inks.
r-it for the major leagues new ele-
-,nt enters. That is protection for
4, minor leagues. Perhaps ] should
az rather. assistance for them.
the minor leagues" declared the
y,tonsl Commission chairman, most
,nphaticslly. despite policies Of the
80 rigid economy, lost heavily last
v,,Ou. | might name a we'll known
fl,s IA circuit not one club of which
al 50 we'll as to break even. Practi-
,,lly half of the lesser minors were
freed to suspend before they COM
,l.tsd their schedules.
Here is how a roster limit of eigh-
zen. or sixteen, players for each major
l,,gue club might benefit these little
allows. who bore the brunt of the ilgnt
,r,inst the Federal League. From SIX
4 eight players now carried by each
= he sixteen big league clubs would
y ,vt in line for service with the fast
niOr circuits.
Nov know that major league clubs
isy, already an average of more than
,gtieen players under contract: But
iis rev scheme would in no wise IN
i,ritre with the fulflment Of the en-,
ul.d salary obligations. Organized
BASEBALL has never yet attempted 70
aisstsp salary obligations, nor Will IT,
Wouldn't Impair Game
yet bv this skinny roster limit the
t,ss Of the major game would not be
-rpsired. while the tone of the minor
ssgue competition would be improved.
50 long as 4 players salary Is not
SPARED no can have no objection as
. his destination.
last year continued Hermann,
Catcher I'd Sweeney drew $4,000 1or
u.ehing for the Toledo club OF the
snsriesn Association. Now, Ioledo
ID not pay Sweeney any $4,000. The
ssv York American League Club was
t.lghted TO have the Mud Hens as
me about a quarter of that hire; the
inkees paid the balance. And that
4 iast what would happen if 1t be,
are necessary 10 plant a great deal
fiAs 1917 major league talent in the
fstn Major league clubs, from a
lsfsly economical standpoint, could
lssrd 10 let their minor league con-
i.asrstes have unusual playing skill at
irgsin minor rates and still cut down
BAR own overhead expenses.
Means Less Expense
That major league baseball may be
'is'sted more proftably with far fewer
lsIss than it has been customary for
s'si teams 70 carry the last few years
ts. can be 10 denying. The majority
the American League clubs were
Ssrsl short OF the permitted twenty
- most Of last season. Fully half
2, National League clubs were below
e Prescribed twenty-one.
Tie simply a question:" said Herr
isAan, "of making those in control Of
,ssnehises in the rich territories-like
s's York. Boston and Chicago-see
" sasteful extravaganza that has
ffsTsiled In playing numbers the last
ne or six years. Already they have
s'ssn to see the light. A more con-
sfyative roster limit is bound TO come
1 'als country is involved in war. II
nore than likely 70 come anyhow
4 p.fyers ingte4 ,tpop incraaqinO the