New-York tribune., 1920-12-01

ratified, may not be confined exclusl
financing end of the sport The part
ing profession) plan to do a bit of c
will be figurative cleaning.
1t will bs the sort of "cleaning" ass
sociatea with the shorn lamb of Wall
Street or the untutored victim who
falls into the hands of race track
tout; fgurativc laundry process. cal
culated to wash the raiment of the
magnates from as much of its gold as
IS possible to pan while the magnates
on their part are purging the sport of
the undesirable. In short, in the in
terest of liberal increases generally
in the scale of major and minor league
salaries, a new union is being drummed
up by the playing fraternity.
This will be nothing more than
resurrection of the defunct Players
Fraternity, Of which David L. Fultz. now
president of the New international
times of war between the Federal
League and organized baseball. The
settlement of this particular war left
the union high and dry. Concessions
had to be made by all parties con-
cerned, and as a great many stars who
had jumped organized baseball were
anxious for reinstatement, the frater-
nifty simply died of dry rot.
Unionism in the Ranks
A prominent major league player
who passed through this city yesterday
on his way South from protracted
shooting trip in the North Woods de-
c.ared that the resurrection of the
Players Fraternity had practically
been assured. For very evident reasons
he wished his identity withheld for the
present He said (and he produced
{atr tot fn h.
stantiate the claim) that more than
half the major league veteran players
had agreed to come in on the new deal
and that throughout the minor leagues
the percentage for unionism was even
more pronounced
The failure of the Fraternity in the
war days of the Federal League was
attributed directly to its control by in
fuences not directly associated with
the game. 1t was even suspected that
the old administration was most lax.
Prompt payment of dues was not in
sisted upon, and in some cases financial
acocuntings were unsatisfactory. Be
cause of the "outlaw" field of market
ing services there was not the same
chance as now exists for combine OF
the promoters to keep down salaries.
The reorganzed Fraternity, it is
said will be run by active ball play
ers These will be stars of the very
first magnitude, whose will, very nat
urally, will carry great weight with
the magnates. There are four or five
gate attractions to-day whose loss, un-
der existing conditions of doubt as to
the integrity Of the game, would be
greater blow than the moneymaking
maenates dare consider for moment.
1t is these Titans of diamond activity,
who must command the respect of the
profession who will be given the high
Offices CT the new union.
Fifty Per Cent Increase in Salaries
1t is impracticable, of course, to es-
tablsh a union scale of wages in base
ball. There is only one "Babe" Ruth.
There is but one Ty Cobb. There can
be only one Speaker, one Sisler or one
Alexander. But the new union pur-.
poses to operate under the idea OF
groups or classihcations. 1t IS planned
to have salaries increased generally
about so per cent. The Fraternity each
wear will decide the ratings of value as
to its individual members by process
OF statistics and observations.
This. it is believed, will furnish an
added incentive to the individual play
ers to perform their best from the first
dav Of the season to the closing battle;
improve baseball and return to the
owners a profit corresponding TO the
increase
Goliaths of the game are expected to
be the last to sign each season and
yearly contracts henceforeh will be the
rule). only after the smaller fry have
been guaranteed the rights voted them
in salary rating by the Fraternity
board.
The season Of 1920 vas the most sue
cessful, financially, baseball has ever
known. II was so successful the mag
mates are now grumbNng over the So
called exorbitaDt taxes and surtaxes
that will nave to be turned back to
the government. The players figure
that whatever increases they may be
able to Jimmy" out Of the hard-fisted
magnates will cost these champions o.
clean sport little more than so per cent
Of the advance, for, as part Of the over
head or operating expenses, it will be
exempted from the taxable sum.
Few Players Have Signed
Comparatively few players not held
for next year by term contracts have
Resigned for next season. The few
tina. have done SO were given satls-
factory salaries. None Of these be-
longed to the first flight Of profes-
sional stars. They were aging vet
Grams who could not he blamed for pro-
tecting themselves.
But the big kick back, the hackers Of
the Fraternity declare viii come early
In the new year after the employers
have mailed out 1921 document Cn-
less salary terms offered are gener-
ously increased ln keeping with last
years profts) there is 10 be big
rumpus. The players are 20 deter
mined to get in further on the melon
cutting that the Fraternity idea may be
carried TO the extent Of a general
gtrike, if necessary, 10 carry the point.
Secretary Joe O'Brcn Of the Giants
wire from Springfield Ohio,
yesterday to the effect that Byrnc Kin
LA. son Of Dick Kinsella scout Of
The Giants, had died AZ the result Of an
attack Of appendicitis