UNIONISM IN FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 602, 2 September 1909, Page 5

UNIONISM IN FOOTBALL.

ARBITRATION PROPOSED.. (By Telefraph.-I'reas iMoclstlun.-Oobyrljbt.l ] . ./.■ ■ ' '.'■' London, August. 31. : With respect to the serious trouble that has arisen between tho Football Association arid players, many of whom, contrary to the association'B orders, refused to resign from the Players' Union, /which is baok-ed by the General. Federation of Trades Unions, Mr. A. Henderson, M.P., chairman of the Labour party, has proposod arbitration.. ■' .The Players'-Union welcomes-tho suggestion, ■ but the association declines, considering it too late.

■■:. THE UNION.CRITICISED. ,' "The Council of the Football Association writes "Tityrus" in'tho "Athletic News") have decided to suspend all tho registered professionals who have not notified the governing body that they have severed their membership with the Association Players' Union, anil they have determined to order their clubs to stop paying summer wages to those professionals who have daobeyed the order, of the council and wilfully defied the authorities. 1 am truly sorry that men who have decided to make football their means of livelihood should have placed themselves in such an unfortunate position." '■■■■• ; . . ■■•.-■■ After quoting with approval the argument that footDall is a sport and not a trade,.and. defining; the supreme powers of' the Association, "Tityrus" proceeds: "No one Cm credit for a moment that footballers' are either badly paid.or badly used. Their 'grievances' are more imaginary than real, arid no one can make me believe that a real trades union would not be content with a maximum salaiy of <$% per week, which has become practically,a minimum for every man-who has any ability worth consideration. There waa scope for good work by the union, but by their own rashness they have divorced well-wisher that they had outSide'their own ranks." :. ; . . ■