Evening journal., 1918-11-15
MINORS Def
MAJOR leagues
Demand That Big Organi-
cations Relinquish Right
to Draft
O. TIONAL SALES
AGAIN OPPOSED

PEORIA, H.. Nov. f5.-War between
the major leagues and minor organiza-
tions of the country threatens TO devel-
op as a result Of action taken at the
annual meetin, Of the National Assoei-
5 alton OF Professional Baseball Leagues
here yesterday, prOtcs1me asainss nae
privileges Of the major leagues TO draft
start players from the minors.
~ The protest was embodied in a reso-
luton drawn by A. r. Tearney, Of Chi
cago. president Of the Three Eye
League, and presented by Jack Holland,
owner of the st. Joseph, Mo-, club Of
the Western League. The resolution
demanded that the American and Ma
tional Leagues relinquish the right OF
the draft and also the practice Of
farming out" players under the op-
tional agreement. 1t was adopted with
out a dissenting vote.
Thomas ]. Hickey, president Of the
American Association, urged the minor
league organization to Withdraw from
the national agreement with the majors
II the demand is refused. A committee
consisting Of Holland, Tearney and Joe
Tinker owner Of the Columbus Club. Of
the American Association. was appoint
ed to present the protest to the national
baseball commission at its flrst meet
ing in January.
I'VE shall demand the right 10 dis
pose Of our young stars to whom we
see ct instead OF having them drafted
by the major league clubs at. prices
ranging from $500 down TO $3.50 as
prevails under existing conditions"
President Tearney said. 1T Is the
minor leagues that develop these stars
OF the major, and the smaller leagues
should reap the financial reward"
The minor leagues, however, desire
to reserve the privilege OF drafting
players within their own organization,
higher leagues drawing from lower
class organizations under present reg
ulations. Steps viii be taken to read
Just the draft prices.
y The minor leaguers also adopted new
Salary limits and agreed 20 a reclassl-
flcation OF leagues, with the exception
OF the nine that survived last season.
The three class AA leagues-the Pa
clfic Coast, American Association and
the International Leagues-were eX-
empted from the new salary regula- |
tions because OF the fear that the Pa
riuc COdSb Ltdbuo contemplated play !
Ing "outlaw" baseball. President |
Hickey, OF the American Association, |
made an appeal that stipulated sal
ary limit for the association and the |
International League would prevent |
clubs in these organizations from hold |
ing their players, as the Pacific Coast |
League, II " withdraws from the or
ganization could offer more attractive
salaries because OF the longer session
prevailing on the coast.
The salary limit Of Glass A Leagues
was flved at $1,000 a month, Glass at
$1,000. Glass C at 81 400 and Glass d at
$1,000. The clubs will be required TO
TRosit substantial guarantees with the
league presidents, and failure TO en-
force the salary limits will result in
fine for the first two. offenses and for |
feiture OF their franchise for the third |
offense.
Balloting on the proposals TO reclas-
sify and redisirict the minor leagues OF
the country 10 make the circuits more
compact and reduce salary limits, Oc-
cupied part Of the attention Of the mag
mates.