Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-04

prefer to play, the statement being made
to him that IL a fair deal could be arranged
they would meet his wishes. They contend,
however. that the player assumed the po-
sitfon that he was to select his place of
playing and make his own trade, and that
the Washington club must abide by what
ever he decided on, and that this position on
the players part led him to illegal dTcker-
ings with American League clubs, and rem
dered 1t impossible for the Washington club
to obtain any fair trade for the player. It
is also In evidence that the Washington
club rendered the player contract for 1907
as player In the same amount that he re-
ceiyed last year as a player and manager,
and in conclusion state that
I'VE are still willing to place him where
he would be happy, If such thing Is posi-
cured. but the Washington club expects to
be the judge of whether the trade Is a fair
one. and does not propose to delegate that
decision to Mr.. Stahl."
This not being a dispute between two clubs
as to the services of a player, the entire
commission will pass on the case.
The Case Discussed.
The first question to be decided Is that Of
jurisdiction Of the commission. and in this
connection we desire to state that it is our
duty not only to protect club owners oper-
ating under the national agreement, but
players as well.
pointed out by the Washington club, viz,
THAT because this player desired to play
with some other club rather than that
club we would most -emphaically agree
with them that 1t would present no ground
for the national commission to even con-
slider the complaint.
In this case. however, 1t is admitted by
the Washington club, as shown by the evil
dence. that they agree with the player to
have him leave that club-in fact to choose
the club that he desired to go to. provided
a fair deal or exchange could be made" In
doing this they conceded to the player Ger
tain rights that they cannot recall without
his consent-even with the proviso as above
referred to.
The player contends that the propositions
submitted by the Boston and other clubs
to the Washington club for an exchange
the Washington club on the other
hand. contends that they were not
But having conceded certain rights to
this player they alone cannot be the Judge
Of whether an exchange Of players with
m ?another club fair and reasonable, be-
cause II they alone were to be the Judge
in the transaction. they may be arbitrary
in their views. and in such case the play
ers rights. as conceded to him. viz: ITO
leave the club and choose another" would
certainly be infringed upon.
The Finding.
The finding of the commission in this
case will be, as follows:
First-It is our desire that the entire con-
troversy between the Washington club and
the player be adjusted amicably between
themselves and without the Intervention of
the commission.
Second-If this cannot be accomplished
then we hold that the Washington club has
a right to negotiate for the players re-
lease or exchange with any other club of
the American League, and Is not confined
In it's dealings in the matter to any par
ticular club of that league.
hird-If the club and player cannot ami
cably adjust their differenceS-and If a sat
isfactory exchange for the players serv-
ices cannot be arranged for by the Wash
ington club within one week after the
official PRONUNCIATION of this finding-then
the commission will place a price on the
players unconditional release from the
Washington club. as requested by him.
We recommend that a copy of this find
ing be transmitted to the president of the
National League, to the president of the
American League. to the president of each
National League club. to the president of
each American League club and to the Sec
rotary of the National Association for
PRONUNCIATION.
B. B. JOHNSON,
AUG. HERMANN,
National Commission.
May 1, 1907.
/ concur in the above finding.
HARRY C. PULLIAM.