El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-05-03

NJ I ssa5 s9s'A' ss a. al May trs aI05
- stalked by a real "bugaboo.'' I
may simply be the late spring; the
downward revision or the direct re
suit of an age of rabid reform. Blu
we have the word Of representative
Gallagher, Of Illinois, that stringen
investigation will be forthcoming
with an ultimate view toward dissolu-
tion-of that most "audaciOus monop-
oiy'-the national pastime as en-
bodied in the swat of the national COM
No Restraint Of Trade.
Speaking seriously a federal 1nVeS-
legation of organized baseball IS 1aI
more to be feared than the yellow
peril" Baseball. as conducted, is all
that its traducers have alleged II IS
monopoly or trust but through force
OF circumstances not through any de-
signs upon restraint of trade. That or
Eanized baseball cares no whit for
opposition was shown in the attitude
toward the United States circuit a year
ago. This league was permitted 10
lneer out Its brief existence WlLuOul
ference-dOubtless because there
was nothing in its ranks worthy OF
interference. Organized baseball IS one
great happy family, working IN mar
mCny and unison toward certain emu
financial success 1t has passed
through its stages Of strife and discords
and learned its lesson at cost.
Not an Octopus
But organized baseball is not the oc-
topus that the radical element would
have US believe It is a pretty good
business firm that looks after its en-
plOyes financial interests with every
lcunty that success DesIOWS- IEdL Is
lust what organized baseball has done
for the great playing fraternity Biased
opinions doubtless prevail because OF
the many steel and concrete grand
stands that have been built within the
past few seasons In many cases the
cdifices represent no more than the
owners faith in the future OF the game
still these same magnates have NOT
been backward in endorsing more mod
crn scales of wages with modern equip
ment. Within the past is years ball
PLAYERS salaries have more than
Jrebled- In what other profession IS
object to Reserve Clause.
Representative Gallagher, of Illinois
seems bent upon making a point or the
clause in professional baseball
contracts Every one familiar with
baseball knows that this reserve clause
is an injustice so far as government OF
the great game has evOluted to date.
A baseball contract would never stand
the test OF q civil court let alone a
federal probe. 1t is not equitable to
begin with The club reserves the right
10 bind the player Indefinitely his al
tentative is disbarment or the black
list" But the club reserves unto It
self the right to cast of this same
player on 10 days notice. It can hold
HIM forever; but he cannot better him
self If the opportunity arises
IN the face OF II such a contract ap-
pears grotesque. It would be, too, II
the administration Of organized base
ball were not every bit as square ana
above beard as the playing end Of the
game. Not one instance in the his
tory OF the national cOmmlssion-the
court IF organized baseball
may be cited where the player did
rot receive fair and unbiased treat
nent. Organized baseball Tlay be for
-unate In having such an honest board
but the fast remains that this cOnten-
lion at leas- is 'rue-
Commission FuVOrs Probe.
So fair has been the national COM
mission that it courts federal iEves-
igatiOn and in its attitude ii is I
lacked by the Baseball Players fra !
ernity. This latter body embraces 4
radically every major league ath- /
etc outside the playing managers. /
This fraternity was Indirectly faith J