The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-16
National Commission Rul-
ings Are Tempered by
Rights Of Players.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

which the manager could arbitrarily
control the players destinies for ne
For this reason, the commission, WhlIe
all its acts are done according 70 lesal
form. assumes a wider latitude than
a law court and considers angles 10 2
case which would be excluded by the
ordinary rules of evidence.
Jack Warmers Case.
For instance. You asked me about
Jack Warner and the prospects Of him
getting waivers out Of the American
League so he can spend his last years
IN active playing es .ablishing himself as
an owner and manager Of the Galveston
club OF the Texas League, in which
he has bought a half interest Nearly
all cases Of this sort are settled amicis-
bly, between player ard manager, as II
that OF Monte Cross Connie Mack
would not stand in the way Of Cross
lettering himself and gave him MS re-
lease as an appreciation OF ms long
and faithful service with the Athietlcs'
Monte then got the other American
League managers to waive on him and
he is now established as manager IN
Kansas City, grooming hlmseI Tor d
managers berth IN the major leagues
But. suppose Connie Mack nau re-
fused 10 release him, or some OF the
clubs had refused 10 waive. Cross
could have appealed TO the commission
and would probably nave obIalhec lAc
right to 20 10 Kansas City any now
The commission would probably have
held that Cross best days as a major
league player were over. that 10 keep
him in fast company agsinst his VIII
would have been merely pOslpOnlng the
inevitable for a year or two. and would
have been a rank injustice TO man
who had reached a time in life when II
was necessary for him to consider ms
permanent future. 1t IS more than
likely that he would have been released
from his obligations 10 the American
| League and allowed 20 so Wnere ne
could take count o. the morrow
This breadth OF ruling law court
would hardly assume, for they are more
I or less strictly bound by the WORD OF
/ the contract. but we go 20 that extent
| in order to prevent the reserve rule De
coming an engine Of oppression
Duty to Club Owners.
ION the other hand we would not
allow a player In his prime. and
valuable property right OF the club
with which he has signed, 10 come un-
der ruling ike the one just supposed.
4 PLAYER owes a duty 20 himself and
/ the game and the club owners, and If
we were TO permit the present stars to
omit whenever they so desired and take
III. minor league clubs. they would prac-
I tically be rObbing the owners OF thou-
sands Of dollars and lmpersl not Only
The interests Of those with money IN
vested in the team. bu- THEREBY affect
the salaries OF the other players or
( the clubs which would thus suffer d
uancial loss through the players T.
.Another thing We have 20 avoid Is
major nagnates stalking 10 minor
| lee 9yue franchises men who are still
valuable 20 their leagues. and by this
collision indirectly affecting everybody
else in the league We could not IN
Justice 10 the other clubs and players
/ do this.
$50 We. as FAR as possible, judge
every case from its equity rather than
/ its law
The theory is fine and 1t IS a pity
| that sometimes there is no equity stir
ring after the decisions are given. AS
) 20 Nike KelleyG