The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-13

protested to the association against the
enforcement Of the rules calling for
seven players below Glass A on zach
Southern league team and the one to
the effect that the league shall be paid
70 per cent OF the money derived from
the sale Of players.
According to Heinemann, in his pro-
test TO the national association, 1t is
contrary to the spirit of organized
pals declarations safeguarding the
rights of players to take employment
when the rule of seven players below
Class A is enforced.
Here is the correspondence in the
matter, which viii serve to set the
matter before the baseball public in
its true light:
Auburn, n, Y, February 7. 1919.
], D. Martin, Pres,
Memphis, Tenn,
Dear Sir:
N The New Orleans club protest to the
] national board the legality of the ac-
ton Of the Southern association in
voting. firstly, that each club be lin
tied to seven Class A players; secondly,
prohibiting clubs from taking optional
agreement players; thirdly, the vote by
which rs per cent of the sales price Of
every player must be paid into the
treasury of the Southern association.
Do you desire to submit a statement?
Awaiting your reply,
Very truly yours,
]. Fl. FARRELL, Secretary.
President Martin replied as follows,
setting out the leagues side Of the
matter:
Mr., John H. Farrell, Secretary,
Auburn. New York,
Dear Sir:
Replying to yours of February I, 1919,
II beg to advise that in my opinion the
action of the Southern association was
legal in voting that each club be linn
tied to seven Glass A players; in pro-
hibiting clubs from taking optional
agreement Players and in requiring the
payment of Is per cent of the sales
price of all players into the treasury
of the Southern association.
These matters, in my opinion, ex-
clusively concern the internal affairs
of the Southern association, n are,
therefore, not in c~ontravention of the
national association agreement. The
In majority of the Southern league direc-
torate by a vote of seven to one adopted
VI these regulations, MIR, Heinemann be-
Sing the only Directing club president.
II The majority Of the directorate of the
Southern association regard these rules
as thoroughly beneficial for the proper
development and reorganization OF
baseball in the South.
Personally. in the opinion of the writer,
we should do everything to encourage
the opportunity for young soldiers and
sailors when discharged from the army
to obtain employment in professional
baseball II they desire to enter. the
game as a career. The rule requiring
each Southern League III to obtain 5U
Jper cent Of its players from a classified
i ton lower than Glass A will afford
74yhese young soldiers and sailors the OPP
l%Sortunity Of entering the game in fair
competition. 7 believe that the public
will like this rule, and will approve the
adoption of 1t by the Southern League
clubs, because 1t is patriotic in intent
and purpose.
of Mr.. Hefnemann that optional players
must not be taken, this objection was
Il t~hink-fully made n decided
against the contention of Mr.. Heine-
mann at the January meeting in New
York.
AS to the third question raised by Mr.
Heinemann with regard to the right Of
the majority of the southern League
clubs to adopt a resolution at a league
directors meeting duly called. requiring
4 price of every player with the treasure
3 Of the association, this action is clearly
within the purview and power OF TN
Southern league directorate, because
each Southern League club has an equa
interest in the assets and property OF TN
Southern association, and as the rule
applies to future payments TO a com
mon league fund, 1t does not impair, Ell
feet or change the opliRdllollS VI en-
existing contract. and like any otheI
resolution pertaining to the main
t~enance of a fund for the operation Q
the Southern league, where 1t Is equal
~ applicable in its operation TO, eaci
Southern League club, and is within thu
constitutional rights under the laws o
organized baseball it is a valid AM
legal resolution, which is duly enforce
able under the laws of organized base
3 u ball.
It Is my opinion that the rules com
= planned Of are in all particulars within
the constitution, bylaws, rules and reg
uAtions Of the National association
agreement. Very truly yours.
JOHN y. MARTIN,
President Southern League.