The Washington times., 1917-01-17
BLEACHERITES ARE
AGAINST PLAYERS
Think Diamond Stars Get Too
Much Money Now, All
Things Considered.
BY JOE villa.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1T.-BasebaIi
magnates do not stand alone in oppos-
ing the plan OF the players union to
become a part OF the American Fedora
tion OF Labor. The fans who own
the much abused national pastime are
not in sympathy with this latest at.
tempt to kin IL.
The baseball public Is well Informed
as to the liberal salaries received BY
major league players, who openly ad-
nit that they have mo grievances
against their employers. Talk OF a
strike, which appears 10 have been
declared. Is not arousing enthusiasm
among the persons who pay to see
the pennant races each year.
The idea OF ball players, who re-
ceiye all the way from $1,000 to $40
900 for working two hours each after
noon from April IL 70 October 9, ap-
pealing to the American Federation
of Labor for support and sympathy,
doesn't find favor with the bleach
critics who have to economize, per
haps. to pay 80 cents for q chance
to see their heroes now and then.
Can't Understand Kick.
what do you think of this ball
players striker" asked a young man
who was discussing baseball with a
friend on a Ninth avenue express train
this morning.
"why. can't see why the players
are kicking" was the reply. They
receive big salaries, have their rail-
road and hotel bills paid, go South in
the spring. have a chance to get into
the worlds series, and only work
three or four hours q day, including
practice, for less than than half an
hour. Baseball Is fun for them, not
hard labor. The players are paid
more money than union laborers or
workers, more money than you or /
receive, and yet they are not salts
ned"
Trying To Hos Things.
They are trying to hog things, it
seems" said the first speaker. They
admit that they have no grievances
against the big leagues. but they are
going to join the American Federation
of Labor to force the minor leagues
to grant some concessions.
what do we fans care about the
minor leagues? We don't want
unionized baseball at the Polo
Grounds, because there'd be no rival
OF real sport
I talked with many fans yesterday
and 1 learned that rhey had the same
views expressed by the young men
in the elevated train The prevalent
opinion being that the players have
gone too far this time in trying to
heckle the magnates. Unionizing the
ball players will not help the sport.
The national pastime, to be successful
and to enjoy the confidence Of the
public must be controlled by the club.
owners. not he'players.
Magnates Must RuIe.
II magnates cannot rule with alb
solute power. how long will the fans
believe that baseball is honestly play
ed? When. McGraw left the bench at
Ebbets field on October ,, declaring
that his Giants were not playing their
best to beat the Brooklyns, what
was the reason? Was the indiffer-
ence Of the Giants due to fraternaI
relations with the Robins?
Surely that memorable game of
oallswasnt the result of scheminR by
the magnates. It was due to the
brotherly love which exists among
pail players and which must be
stamped out before baseball can en-
JOY Its former popularity. Imagine
oaH games of the future under the
complete domination of the PLAYERS
union. supported by organized labor.
What do you think would be the
outcome?