Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-07-30
PayMinimum, Pension
Main Requests 10 Go
Before Club Owners
By Jack Hand
Associated Press Sport. Writer


NEW YORK, July 30.-Baseball
moguls are mulling over player re-
quests for minimum wage, pen
sion fund and extensive contract
reforms today in one of the most
revolutionary steps in modern dia-
mond history.
Asked by the magnates to give
their views on the controversial
player-owner problems that ordi-
narily are decided solely by the
franchise operators, the athletes
yesterday in two separate sessions
drew up a reform program to be
presented to the majors Policy
Committee next Monday.
National League players, meeting
in New York, were more specific,
outlining a $500 minimum wage
scale, a pension fund and 60-day
severance pay stipulation as the
most important recommendations of
a flve-point platform.
An eight-point American League
program drawn up in Chicago was
high lighted by a request for fulfill
ment of player contracts to the let
ter, and formation of a permanent
grievance" committee as we'll as an
undetermined minimum and pension
fund.
Sessions Last Four Hours.
Each of the player meetings lasted
four hours, with the National dele
gates adjourning until Friday for
further discussion after naming
Dixie Walker of Brooklyn. Marty
Marion of st. Louis and Billy Her
man of Boston to represent them
The National favors an eight-man
player committee, instead of three
as requested by Commissioner A. B.
Chandler, and will discuss that mat
ter Friday. Johnny Murphy of New
York. Joe Kuhel of Chicago and
Mel Harder of Cleveland were the
American representatives selected.
After the six players meet with
Presidents Ford Prick of the Ma
tional and Will Harridge of the
American and their respective COM
mittees next Monday, the majors
will hear the committees recon-
mendations in special joint meet
ing to be held sometime before
Labor Day"
For the most part, the players
appeared disposed to put their trust
in direct negotiations with the own
ers and made no direct move toward
unionization. Most baseball men
agreed that the majors probably
would 60 along with the requests.
Pensions Freely Discussed.
Both player groups spent consid-
cradle time on the pension problem.
The National heard reports from
Marion and Roy Hughes of the
Phillies on plans calling for bene-
f1ts that ranged from $50 to $120
per month.
Although the players represented
only the big leagues, they Endorsed
extension of the pension to the
minor leagues with a players full
service in organized baseball count
ing in his eligibility for the fund.
Both leagues requested allotments
to cover incidental expenses during
spring training when the players
are not paid. The National men
toned IS per day above room,
meals, laundry and transportation,
but the American named no sum.
Additional American League rec
concentrations called for 30-day
post-season exhibition period, i'm
proved clubhouse conditions and
mailing of contracts 30 days be-
fore spring training starts. The
National asked that waivers should
not be withdrawn on player
claimed by another major league
club.
Such matters as players receiv-
ing a portion of their sale price
and a percentage of exhibition
gates were brushed over lightly in
| the National.
| Rollie Hemsley of the Phillies
said he thought something would
be worked out SO that player who
has been sold to another club
would be allowed sum of about
| $500" to cover his rnovinp eYnenses