The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-30
Players With Club Gave
 Information

SQSVOn, ApEll oV-NOE)-GifeCtor Robert Murphy revealed today the American Baseball Guild was in- vestigating alleged unfair labor practices by the Washington Sena- tors long before owner Clark Grif- filth publicly denounced the new union. He expressed confidence his Guilds unprecedented charges could be Substantiated,
 This Is no revenge move" said the Harvard -educated union head, referring to charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board In Baltimore, Md. For some time now we have been checking reports that the Senators management has been interfering with players rights, and naturally we won't stand for it'"
 Tn It's initial test of strength, the Guild accuses Griffith of making derogatory statements about 1t counseling players against joining, and seeking to intlmidate players from exercising their rights of self- organization.
 "Lles" Says Owner
 Griffith himself hotly denied the accusations. Describing them as deliberate lies" the fiery Wash ington owner declared that Murphy was shooting at" his statement that the Guild would knock base ball flat on It's face"
 One of the Guilds most out spoken critics, Griffith angrily re- affirmed his stand that the effort to unionize ball players is "prepos- terous," and one detrimental to both major and minor leagues.
 T have never talked to my play CTS about the Guild--and l don't intend to, stormed Griffith l have never intimidated any of them or coerced them, into getting in or staying out--and I don't intend to. If they want to join, that's ther business. And it's their business fl they want to stay out"
 Murphy said he had overWhelm- ing proof that the American League was interfering with It's players right to bargain collectively, as guaranteed under the Wagner act. Declining to outline his evidence, the 3S-year-old former. NLRB ex. aminer said only that 1t would all be presented to the board if the case comes up for Q hearing, perhaps next month.
 Possible Hearing
 The next step, he said, is up to the Baltimore office of the N,L.RB. which will investigate the guilds charges and decide whether they are worthy of hearing. If so, the hear ing will be scheduled in Baltimore and Murphy himself will present the guilds case. r unfair labor practices are found to exist, the NL.R.B. has the authority to order the Senators to cease such prae. tIces. Should the baseball club defy that order, the case could be car- ried to U. s. District court where similar defiance would bring a fine or prison sentence for contempt.
 The charges against Washington stemmed from an investigation of all l6 Major League clubs, Murphy said. He emphasized, however, that no similar action was planned against any other club, at least for the present
 Information purporting to back up the guilds accusations came from private investigators and from Washington players. some of whom are guild members, Murphy ex- plained.
 Influence
 Asked If manager OsSie Bluege were among the "other officials" of the Washington club referred to in the NL.R.B. charge as having tried to influence players, the union lead. CT replied, mot to my Knowledge"
 Murphy, who estimates he has handled between 300 to 400 eases before the N,L.RB., said confident ly he had tan excellent case against Washington"
 Since this is our first bid for nationwide recognition" he added, "you may be sure we never would have undertaken it unless we were virtually certain of our charges. We are fully aware of their serious na- ture, and we are sure we can back them up to the hilt.
 "T'he guild has been waging clean fight in the interests of Amer ican baseball and 1t does not intend to countenance any unfair tactics on the part of club owners. I should like to take this opportunity to mention that though unquestionably many club owners were not in favor of the American baseball guild, most of them have made no efforts to in- fluence their players one way or the other"