The sun., 1919-01-16
MINORS THREATEN
TODISRUPT SPORT
Issue Ultimatum to Major
Leagues Demanding Adolf
ton of Draft.

a few minutes after tho National
League men emerged from their turbu-
lent session they were greeted by red
hot ultimatum from the minor leagues.
The minors have gone at the big leagues
in real Bolshevik fashion. They are not
asking this time. They are demanding.
They know what they want and when
they want II.
They have given the big leagues until
o'clock tomorrow night to reply to
their demands, and " no reply is re-
ceived by that time they will set bomb
under the national agreement and blow
the entire structure OF organized base
ball TO the four winds.
Tho National Association OF Profess
s!onal Ball Clubs, the minor league or
ganzation. met yesterday at the Biz
more and backed up all the threats
that Joe Tinker, owner of tho Columbus
club, brought to New York earlier IN
the week.
The association declared Itself I'M
alterably opposed to drafts and optional
agreements In its future dealings with
the major leagues. The meeting was
attended by more than nifty minor lesgu-
men, who represented the International,
American Association, Pacific Coast,
Southern Association. Western. Texae,
Virginia, Eastern. Pacific Coast. Inter-
national and Western Canadian leagues.
Offers Substitute.
Instead OF the usual drafts, the Ma
tional Association Is willing to give the
majors the opportunity to buy one
player from each of the twenty-four
class "A minor league clubs for $500
during the period from November 10
November 10 The present draft price
for class IA players is $4,000.
In the event that this player proves
unsatisfactory and does not make good
in the big leagues the major league club
may return him TO a class IA club for
$4,000. In the event that no class IA
club desires him he may be disposed OF
TO clubs IN the following classes as fol
lows: Glass a, $500: class e, $500
class c. $3.50, and class d. SIS.
The proposition OF the minors would
close all the leagues below class IA Il
the minors for drafting purposes. I'm
der the new minor league scheme the
class IA teams would draft from class
A. class A from II, and so on down the
line Each club thereby would lose only
one player by this means a year. This
however. would not stop the majors
from buying what players they pleased
In outright sales.
The minors also propose that IL waiv
ers are asked on big league player
and he is not claimed. waivers must bt
asked on him in all class AA leagues
where he will bring a price OF $1,000
II no class IA teams want him. he mus
go down the line and be disposed OF tC
clubs of lower classification Cor amounts
running from $500 to SIS. the same n:
| a class IA drafted player who has no
made good in the majors.
Want New Commission.
The minors also recommend fiv.
| man National Commission, consisting O.
two presidents Of the major league clubs
| the president and secretary of the Ma
| tional Association, and a chairman 4
| DO elected ~ these four men. In tn,
| event they are unable TO arrive at &
| decision each OF tho sixteen club prcsI
dents of the big leagues Will have 4
! vote
The commission changes are. however
suggestions. The draft changes, on tn
! other hand. are made In the form o
! an ultimatum
For their own guidance the Natioua
| Association voted that all player an
| salary limits must be strictly enforce
| in 1919, and all clubs must be dow
to their playing limits by the first da
OF their championship season.
! II possible all the members OF tn
minor leagues now IN town will atten
the Joint meeting OF the major league
when the minors receive n chance I
present their claims. However. II IN
major leagues consider that impractical
BILE. a committee from the ten m!no
leagues now represented here VIII ca
on tine majors.
Dave Futz and Joe Tinker will T.
to arrange matters for the meeting VT
John IIeydler and Ban Johnson tn
morning. The pair also Will be Il
leading spokesman for the minors whe
they are admitted to the major leasu
council chamber.