New-York tribune., 1918-12-22

aAg or the National Commission mu
Nary 6. And it is reported On ap1
hermann, the chairman, will turn
The bigger reorganization, which
las to do strictly with the playing end
OF the game. will not be the least prob
lem for the Joint meeting to solve il
an apparently belligcrent attitude Of
= number of the most renowned play
ers is interpreted correctly. For these
players. it would appear. have re-
nounced allegiance to their employers
Of 1913, considering themselves free
agents and at liberty 30 negotiate the
sale of their services to the highest
bidders.
Frank Baker and Ernie Shore. the
new Yankee pitcher, are two of Hug
9lns's men who have already declared
themselves on the subject. Ty Cobb,
recently returned from France. and
Leslie Mann have expressed similar
news. All insist that they were given
unconditional releases at the close of
sne past season, which was cut short
because of war conditions. Most of the
major league club owners, to save pay
ing tlTe weeks extra salaries, used the
ten days notice clause OF contract
TO dismiss the help.
No Bidders for Services
Perhaps, from the point Of civil law,
the stand of these players would be-
justified But there is little likeli
mood Of them getting very far BY plac-
ing themselves on the auction block.
they will ind no rival clubs in the
market for their services Prospective
major league employers can protect
themselves by means of gentle
mems" agreement already negotiated
1t is quite unlikely, in face of con
ers would be foolish enough to bid
Tor each others property.
only one way. And if dispatches from
st. Louis are to be believed one major
league magnate may leave an opening
IN the defence of the magnates. ], C.
Jones, vice president of the Cardinals,
GENERATES declaration made at the
National League meeting here that
Branch Hickey. upon his return from
france, would be made manager Of the
club. '''N
Jones said means would be found to
eliminate Jack Hendricks, manager last
season. who returned from France two
days ago. Hendricks, by the way, de-
ciares he will go to st. Louis to fight
for his rights; he has fulfilled but one
Now, unless Jones wishes to settle
IN full with Hendricks he will have to
Kick Jack out as William F. Baker. of
the Phillies, kicked out Pat Moran.
The cases are not exactly the same.
however, as Moran was not under con-
tract for the coming year. But if
Jones gets rid of Hendricks by claim
ing MS contract was terminated
through the ten days notice, how can
the magnates lay claim to the services
OF players treated the same way2
A Ticklish Situation
The situation is ticklish one. 1t
VIII have to be handled with rare di-
plomacy. Indeed, there are many other
angles to the tangle. Major league
players are awaiting anxiouslv the re-
suit of Jake Daubert's suit against the
Brooklyn club for five weeks paw IN
der an 1ronclad contract that should
have terminated on October Is instead
of September 2.
Should Daubert win his suit and
should those players who were turned
loose on ten days notice be forced to
return to their former employers or
\ new employers by grace of trade or
sale, then practically all of the PLAYERS
IN baseball will sue for the five weeks,
salary due them to make the reserve
rule a binding instrument, even in
baseball law.
Harry Frazee, the Red Sox owner.
whom Mr.. johnson has so loudly ridi
culed is the only magnate who appears
20 have protected his property. At the
close of last season Frazee, by system
OF bonuses, secured options on the ser
wees Of all of his players pending the
rime of peace.
The rumor that Hank Gowdy had
been dangerously wounded in France
seems to have been canard. One Of
-dank's friends in Boston received
d letter from the popular back
stop of the Braves, which was posted
IN France several days after the armis
ace was signed. Hank, in his charac
terlstlc fashion, had neglected to date
the missive.
According to this authority Gowdy
IS desirous of transferring his al
legiance to some club other than the
Boston Nationals. After the horrors of
war Hank is anxious to shake the hor
rors of a second division club. He is
anxious to play the big time If Bos-
ton puts hlm on the market it is &
certainty that Gowdy's services will not
20 a-begginr