Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-22
VICTORY FOR THE NATIONAL
Decision of PennsyIvRnia Court Up
holds Reserve Clause Preventing
Players from Jumping.

PHILADELPHIA, April 2l.-The supreme
court today reversed the court of common
pleas a NSi ; IN tb the Phifad G1 SspOl Satio mai
League Base Ball club. This decision up
holds the validity of the reserve clause in
fi merly played second base for the Ma
tional league club in this city, signed with
season of is6i and 1902. The Philadelphia
Base Ball club, through Treasurer John !.
Rogers, entered suit to restrain ,LaJoie
The lower court held that the reserve
clause was illegal and Colonel Rogers car
RED lee the ao,S case TO she re sSpreme c fs ttbIss nS ses
cision stands 1t will AFFECT all players who
were subject to the reserV" clause and who
The case attracted widespread attention
because of the question of the validity OF
contracts. The lower court decided that
the National league contracts were lacking
in mutually The i1wer eoSsIs d eslsas
| notice clause and today's decision is. in
effect. that this clause is equitable. In rem
Upon a careful consideration of the
whole case we are of opinion that the pro:
that the consideration is fully adequate.
The evidence shows no indications of any
attempt at over-reaehing or unfairness.
uuires that the court should restrain the
defendant from playing for any other club
during the term of his contract with the
NHThe bill as filed contemplated only the
services 81 HeIendaht o me SEASON 81
counsel that since the hearing in the court
below and prior to the argument In this
the current contract for the season OF 1892.
'The specifications of error are sustained
ing the bill is reversed and the bill is re-
instated. And II is ordered that the record
be RENTED to the court below for furtncI
proceedings in accordance with this de-
Pitchers Frazer and nha were IN.
were Withdrawn by agreement Of counsel
They are, however, affected by today's de
cislon. Manager shettsline Of the Phil
'It is likely that all National league
players now playing with the American
at the National league grounds, and Il
the event Of their falling to do so suit
viii WI 6 be oT SIsTIbR IN a the Slu for IN an W intanc shSi
restraining them from taking part in any
American league games"
CHICAGO, April H.-President Ban John
son of the American league refused to tall
about the ~Pennsylyania supreme court de
clause was binding and could be enforced
ain the absence OF any official Information
on this point and for other reasons, sat
Mr.. johnson, Il must decline to discus
the decision. We have attorneys and the!
will take action, no doubt"
President Hart Of the Chicago Nationa
league club, who is a member OF the Ma
tionaI Ieague governing board, says:
This decision brings back to the Ma
tional league over two dozen players VIII
jumped to the American league. / canno
see Il in any other light than a fatal blow
I to the rival league. Undoubtedly. tn
Philadelphia club viii ask for an order o
, injunction in the LaJoie case Immediately
and Larry will not play with the Athletic
D unless ne wants to go to jail.
Every other player, under circumstance
similar to Liable. who deserted the oil
league, will be included I'm the Injunction
From a long-distanee view of the case. /
would seem the court held the contrac
entered into between the player and tn
club valid, and hat II contained mutually
: because IL was for the beneht OF the player
The decision will effect Hartzell. Green
. and possibly Bradley OF our former team
. / cannot tell what further legal steps will
. be taken by the National league, but W
have won a great victory"
= The News prints the f%olloW1ng list o
players that will be affected by the deci
: sion:
! C~hicago-Garvin, Sullivan, Z. Mcfarland
. DAILY. Strang, Davis, Green and Jones.
BGltimOTe-Hughes. McGinnity, Robinson