The sun., 1919-01-14
MINORS WILL WAR
IF PLEA Is DENIED
Tinker Threatens Rebellion If
Major Leagues Retain
the Draft.
FCLTZ MORE PEACEABLE
Favors Diplomacy Instead of
Force-LoOked to
as Leader.
FCLTZ MORE PEACEABLE
~ FREDERICK g. LIEB.

TIE minor leagues mean business In
asking tho majors for draft exemption
and are in no mood to take mo" for an
answer. They even are unwilling to ac-
cept a compromise on what they con-
sIder the big evil of the minor league
situation. Rather than submit TO drafts
and optional agreements in the future
they will break away from the major
leagues and operate as an independent
organization.
The ultlmatum was announced here
yesterday by Joseph Tinker. former
shortSop of the Cubs. now owner OF the
Columbus club OF the American Associa-
ton and a member OF the minor league
committee which waited on the National
Commission in Cincinnati last week.
Heretofore 1t was the policy OF the
minors to ask for things they wanted and
n they we're turned down that ended the
matter" said Tinker. This time we
again have asked politely. but II we are
turned down we will demand"
Tinker inferred that IL the demand
were rejected the National Association
OF Minor Leagues would withdraw from
the national agreement
Majors Are Conciliatory.
Tinker admitted that the major
leagues had shown q conciliatory spirit
He said they offered to limit the number
Of players subject TO draft to one from
each minor league club and cut the
number OF players who could be let out
on options from eight to two.
However, we want no half way meas
ures.' added Joe. 1--WE want all drafting
stopped and the optional agreement done
away with. Now is the tNne to make a
NJ nd tan
organization time in baseball. and II we
do not have minor league conditions
remedied now we never will"
Informal conferences OF minor lea ruers
were held at the Waldorf-Astoria- One
Of these was attended by Tinker, Lieut.
Dave Fultz. the new president OF the
International League John Farrell. sec
rotary OF the National Association. and
Walter Morris, president OF tho Texas
League.
The most humorous incident OF me
day was the meeting between Fultz and
Farrell, the most bitter enemies in base
ball two years ago when F>liltz precipi-
tated midwinter strike OF players
largely over the refusal OF Farrell to
answer correspondence " hich Fultx sent
him as president Of the Players Frater-
nifty. Tinker introduced the pair. and
Farrell congratulated Fultz on his cleo
ton to the International presidency. The
next baseball smile should be furnished
when Fultz meets Ban Johnson later in
the week.
FuItz FavOrs Diplomacy.
oddly enough circumstances again will
make Tinker and Fultz, former thorns
for the big leagues. the ringleaders In the
struggle OF the minors for better cond!-
Tons. Tinker was the first star player
10 jump to the Federal League, and got
the precedent for many OF his fellows
Fultz. as president of the Players Fra
ternity, kept the big leagues continually
on the hop.
Fultz was not as turbulent yesterday
n. the fiery Tinker He favors diplomacy
rather than threats Minor league men
already are looking TO, him as a loader.
His training as lawyer makes him tbs
Mt man TO put the case OF the minors
before the joint conference.
Lieut.. Fults still, Is in the service and
says he Is not yet in thorough touch
with minor league affairs AS to the
elimina ton OF the draft. I only know
that my leagie voted unanimously in
favor OF the draft being lifted from the
International League said Fultz. "As
president OF the league. 7 naturally will
do all can TO have its wishes complied
with"
When asked whether his league was
ready to tight in the event that the
major leagues turned down their request
FOR exemption from the draft Fultz said
II know that my club owners consider
y absolutely essential to their welfare
10 have the draft lifted from the Inter
national League. and consider the mat
Ger OF utmost Importance"
International Meets To-day.
Fultz said that the International
League realized that IL 1t was granted
exemption from the draft the major
leagues also would have TO grant similar
exemption 10 the other Class "A leagues
the American Association and the Pa.
csfc Coast League. lie said the suS
Eestion OF Thomas Hickey, president OF
he American Association. that the m a.
.ors continue TO draft from Glass "A
leagues, and leave all the leagues OF
lower classification as drafting grouni
Tor the three Class IA leagues does not
meet with favor in his league which Is
primarily concerned with draft exemp-
ton for itself
The New International League will
hold a special meeting At the Hotel Inns
perlal this morning, and in the after
noon a meeting OF the National Associa-
lion OF Minor Leagues will be held at the
Fillmore The Biltmore likely will be
The big baseball headquarters this week.
Presidents or delegates from all the
minor leagues which were In operation in
lAls az well as from several that went
under in 1918. are expected at the asso-
citation meeting, Fultz will be added t.
the minor league committee which will
cal. on the big league conference later
IN the week. This committee now ,,n-
sis'S Of Tinker. Mike Tearney. former
president OF the Three l League. and
LACK Holland. owner OF the st. Joseph
TIT