The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-22
RESERVE CLAUSE VALID
IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR THE Ma
TIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE.
Lajoie and All other Contract-Jump-
ers Can BE Forced tn Return from
Ban JOhnsOn's League.

PHILADELPHIA, April H.-The Supreme
Court to-day reversed the decision of the
Court Of Common Pleas No. in the case
or Napoleon Lajoie VS.. the Philadelphia
National League Baseball Club. This de-
cision upholds the validity OF the reserve
clause in the National League contracts.
Lajoie. who formerly played second base
for the National League club in this city.
signed with the Philadelphia American
League Club for the seasons of 1901 and 1902.
The Philadelphia National League Baseball
Club. through Treasurer John I. Rogers.
entered suit to restrain Lajoie from playing
with the American League The lower
court held that the reserve clause was IL
legal, and Colonel Rogers carried the case
TO the Supreme Court. where the decision
was reversed. If this decision stands IL will
affect all players who were subject to the
reserve rule. and who are now playing with
the American League.
The case attracted. widespread attention
because of the question OF the validity OF
the reserve clause" I'm the National League
contracts. The lower court decided that
the National League contracts were lack
ing In mutually and. therefore, oppressive
TO players who decided to sign other con-
tracts. The lower courts decision bore
especially on the ten days release notice
clause" and to-day's decision is. in ef-
feet, that this clause is equitable. In rem
dering the decision the Supreme Court
says: Upon a careful consideration of the
whole case. we are Of the opinion that the
provisions OF the contract are reasonable
and that the consideration is adequate.
Substantial justice between the parties re-
quires that the court should restrain the
defendant from playing for any other club
during the term of his contract with the
plaintiff. The bill as filed contemplated
nj n defendant he
son of 1901, but il is stated in the argument
of counsel that since the hearing I'm the
court below and prior to the argument IN
this court, the plaintiff by due notice re-
newed the current contract for the season
OF 1902 The specifications OF error are sus-
tanned and the decree OF the court below
dismissing the bill is reversed and the bill
is reinstated. 1t is ordered that the rec
ord be RENTED to the court below for
further proceedings in accordance with this
opinion.
Manager Shettsine, of the Philadelphia
National League Club. said to-day: 1T is
likely that all National League players now
playing with the American League will be
ordered to report at once at the National
League grounds, and in the event Of their
failing to do so suits will be brought IN
the cities where they are now playing ask
ing for an injunction restraining them from
taking part I'm American League games"
John 1. Rogers, treasurer Of the Phila-
delphia baseball club. after receiving the
decision said: The decision OF the SUI
preme Court of the State of Pennsylvania
In reversing the ruling of the lower court
is complete vindication OF the Phila-
delphia baseball club. Not only has the
court sustained our argument In full. but
IT has gone still further in its ruling. We
shall serve notice at once not only upon
Lajoie, but Bernhart and Frazer. who were
mentioned in the decision. but also upon
Deehanty Flick. Monte Cross, WolvertOn.
Duggleby Townsend and Mcfarland, TO
report at once for duty at the Philadelphia
ball park While we cannot force these
men TO play for our club by the ruling or
the Supreme Court, We can restrain them
from playing on any other club in the
State of Pennsylvania. Should these play
ers attempt TO take part in any baseball
contest outside of the State or Pennsylvania
we shall bring suit against the players and
the management of the club for which
they play for heavy damages.
while the decision Is a State one, the
fact of IL being unanimous would indi-
cate that judges I'm other states VIII rec
ognize the ruling. We shall proceed al once
WoIverton. Orth and Townsend, OF Wash
ington: Monte Cross, Flick and Duggleby,
of the Philadelphia: Donohue, of 81. Louis.
and Mcfarland. OF Chicago / shall apply
at once In view or the courts decision,
for an Injunction against these players
which will be issued I'm the ordinary course
OF events as the Supreme Courts decision
is imperative and will go into effect az
once"
President B. f. Shibe. OF the Philadelphia
American League Club, declined 10 discuss
effect He would merely say that the mat
ter, so far as the club and its players were
concerned. was in the hands OF able at