s to a
realization of the injury that they might be doing and to extend such
punishment and insist upon such regulation as were necessary to change
this undesirable condition.

By the organization of the National Association of Base Ball clubs the
minor leagues, for the first time in their history, placed themselves in
a position where they could demand proper enforcement of regulations for
the government of the sport, and by their alliance with the major league
clubs, under the articles of the National Agreement, a general working
basis was effected whereby compliance with rules could be insisted upon.

The result of this admirable condition of affairs is that wisdom and
equity now rule where there once existed chaos and at times something
akin to anarchy in sport.

At no time in the history of the game, which is so dear to the hearts of
the American people, has the general legislative and executive body been
so well equipped by the adoption of pertinent and virile laws to insist
upon justice to all concerned as at the present moment.

The new National Agreement is an improvement upon the old and the old
was a long, long step in advance of anything which had preceded it. The
mere fact that club owners and leagues were so willing to adopt a system
better than its predecessor wholly confutes the absurd assertions of the
radical element that there is no consideration shown for the player.

To the contrary, every consideration has been shown to the player, but
the latter must not confound with the consideration shown to him the
idea that his interests are the only interests at stake in Base Ball.
The man who is willing to furnish the sinews of war has as good standing
in court as the player who furnishes the base hits and the phenomenal
catches.

So perfect is the system which is being attempted to be set in force by
the new National Agreement that the young man who now essays to play
professional Base Ball may be assured of steady advancement in this
profession and a generally improving condition if he will be as honest
by his employer as he expects his employer to be honest by him.

The graduated system of assisting players, step by step, from the least
important leagues to the most important is the most perfect plan of its
kind that has ever been devised. There may be flaws in it, but if there
are they will be remedied, and if modifications are necessary to make it
more perfect there is no doubt that such modific