Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-02
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS STANN
About That Bomb Droppinu

IN GEORGE PRESTON MARsEAILs plush ONCE the
telephones began to ring shortly after Bert Bell COM
missioner of the National Football League had told the
House Antitrust subcommittee that he recognized the
NFL Players Association as q bargaining unit
Tim Mara of the Giants called from New York to
learn what gives with Mr.. Bell, who always has been
considered "cubowners commissioner" George Halas
phoned too, and did other owners The twelve
apostles, Marshall lightly calls himself and his fellow
magnates, were comparing notes.
They are not precisely enthusiastic about the idea Of
players union and it reasonable to assume they
are disenchanted bit by the present attitude of their
$4OOOO-ayear commissioner. In the words of Marshall
talking to Mara IT talked to him Bel) on Wednesday
night told him he didn't have to drop the bomb But
he did it, anyway"
Marshall insisted, when he first heard of Bells stand
on Capitol HILL that our commissioner is trying to exceed
his authority He does not have the authority under
league constitution to recognize Players Association
at least in my opinion"
TO SUPPORT HIS CLAIM Marshall excused himself
from his Office luncheon table and went in search of
copy Of the National League Bylaws When he returned
he pointed to Article l. Sec. 10, which read:
Powers of The Commissioner: He is empowered to
negotiate contracts working agreements behalf Of
the league person. corporations partnerships which
shall be presented to the National League for approval
before execution ten-twelfths vote Of the members
(owners shall be required for approval"
Why that's as clear bell" one Of his dining COM
panionS, radio-TV man, unconsciousy remarked Then
ne caught the doublemeaning CAS- clear as Bell said
Joke"
Marshall not highly amused, perhaps because he
wanted to set the record straight his attitude
players union. Il am very fond Of Mr.. Bell" he said
but commissioners sometimes have habit of talking
too much"
ONCE HE STARTS TALKING, Commissioner Bell is
not an easy man to follow He is tricky at reversing
his verbal field Some time ago he vowed that he would
demand OF the that certain requests by players
be seriously considered met. Then he shifted COM
pletely during meeting with in which he
out with $4,000 raise in salary.
Now Bell has jumped back again, apparently and If
there is serious the part Of the owners
there perhaps should be- The spirit of the times in sports
Is toward unionization.
Marshalls original argument against a union seemed
not to be up to par for such he although it must
be borne in mind that George spoke on short notice.
little realizing that Bell would drop "the bomb"
Most of the players I've talked with don't want
unon Marshall said IT think they are afraid that if
there minimum salary instance there also will
be maximum"
The glaring weakness here is that baseball has a
minimum wage for major leaguers but maximum. If
Ted Williams employer wants to pay him 100000 year.
or II the bosses who carry title Yogi Berra Mickey
Mantle, Herb Score and Stan Musia want insure the
happiness of such hands by paying kingsize salaries
1t is all right with the players Guild.
MARSHALLS THREAT OF A MAXIMUM salary it
says here hollow He probably is right he insists
that most players would agree to a $4,000 or $4,000
minimum" but wrong when he says I'VE could have
See WIN LOSE OR DRAW, Page c.