The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-06-06
Owners Accused Of f'Stolline'

pitsxbnrRh. June e-fuPl-MAto tor leaane hnsebAll came face to face wtth the realization today that t is no more immune to strike action than industrial plants or coal mines when the RitaSbunxh Pirates made plans to walk out tomorrow on their game with the New Yor& Giants. Only the trSl appearance by President William BenSwanBer ln the Pirate dressing room in l2 yeaTs prevented a strike from taking place last night before the game with the Brooklyn DOdRerS The players. angered over the re- fnSal of club officials to recosnine their union. the American Baseball Guiid Independent as a collective bargaining agent. had agreed not to meet the DooRens in . night game unless DensEanRer came to their quarters for Q conference.
 Wm Stay Away
 Fanallg he arrived with Pirate Attorney Seward Egench. With the GuIld oreAniner and founder. Rob- ers Murphy. as their spokesman. they agreed io play tn order moi to aisappoint the fans Who weGe tn the stands. It was only ls minutes be- fore game time when they went in- to the fleld.
 However, Murphy said that the players dealniies would not meet inc Giants on Friday unless their demands for an immediate collee- tive bargaining election were met
 we do not want Q strike unlesS it k . last resort" Murphy said. ~Dut we may have to waik out"
 Before Benswanger arrived. Aur- phy issued the following statement: -Disgusted with the dilatoTy aac- ties of the Pittsburgh management we are serving notice that unless an election is held to determine whether the American Basebail Guild Is a bona fAde representative of the Pittsburgh players. we will 90 on strike We are giving the management one hour to consider our prnpoza1-durang which time ge uall not take the field for tonAghtis is game"
 Anhs Fsr Tlme
 nenSwanRer. after greeting the players cordially, referred them oo French. The Pirate attorney gave an outline Of the afternoon meet- ing with Murphy which broke up in disbursement. He asked again that the club be permitted to defer a decision on recognition Of the union until the end Of the season.
 'DilatoTy tactics" Murphy shout ed.
 Bensxanger paused . moment be- fore replying and veteran Pirate coach, Honus Wagner. shifted a cisd 0f ctewang tobacco ia his mouth and spa4 s0lemnly.
 "A decision cannot be made e IS minutes. boys. We have Q right aO legal procedure" Benssange' ~aad.
 Murphy shouted agsip-'DiiatOry tactics
 maaaiw6nk FngoEU eaag
 Don't talk nbout Legal procedure now" he went co. ~Ehese men asH ban players. kszt they satli are pro fessinnal men. The players VII bi dissatisfied C the matter Is delay ed"
 The little. mild-manneneo bells' Eanger paused again besore reply ing.
 Eve had no tsomble in is years. he saA6 slowly. There b . bsI game to be pisyet1 nos. Let's iesy' the players fo thetr Owp baslswsck
 French. Bensganeer. Murphy asSf faae reporters sent out.
 The players sent bfbin0 cl0ses hoors s0F 90 minutes Finally. tpei ran out laughing and b0kang. stat ing thaG they had decided tO psaS
 All but three Of the 2J player on the club attended Dae meetsnl at whteb the decision t0 strike PSl Aay was reached. The three except koras EmsaelAer Jimmy BEOwD, a1l