The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-05
ViOlatOrs of Reserve Clause VIII
Be Objects of Suits Ask
ing Injunctions.
TO HOLD SECRET MEETING
Some Magnates Opposed TO New
Plan-Ward Against All
Court Action.

near future to decide upon the best means
of pressing organized baseballs victory In
the Chief johnson case to successful
Issue. This fact was learned yesterday
from j. G. Toole. chief counsel of the
trumvirate. to whose slIlfu execution
was due largely the victory of August
Hermann In the courts Of Illinois.
81 have not heard from Mr.. Hermann
since Judge FOeH of Chicago handed down
q decision favorable to US" said Mr.. Toole
yesterday afternoon. 81 expect that the
National Commission however. Will call
me shortly into some sort of conference,
either personal or through the mails.
According to precedent the injunction
that was made permanent In Cook county
and which prevents Johnson from play
ing with any team other than the Clhcln-
natl Nationals there would lie honored IN
the courts of other states too. Unless tine
Federal League might introduce new and
startlingly different evidence other Judges
naturally would rest with the opinion OF
Judge s'oel, granting as he did to the
Federal League the right OF appeal from
such decision.
Judge FOells decision was the more
pleas to me because Illinois was one
of the few States of which We stood In some
apprehension. Pennsylvania years ago
established n precedent in favor or or
ganiled baseball in the Lajoie case. New
cal contracts. which parallel those of
baseball while Ohio and number OF
other States always have been considered
less likely to be antagonists toward
organized baseballs claims than Illinois.
From what could be gathered from the
innuendus OF Mr.. Toole and the opinion OF
the local major league baseball magnates
the National Commission intends to follow
up this staggering punch until the oppo-
sitlon has been nOored for the count. In
III.
Idea OF the contemplated line OF action
was vouchsafed.
Not only will August Hermann carry
Injunction proceedings against johnson
to every city of the Federal League. but
he will eudeavor to have filed by offended
parties of organized baseball in all these
cities injunctions against every player
now in the Federal League who disre-
spected either the reserve or contract or
organized baseball. II Is felt that judge
Foelrs decision has opened the way 10
this wholesale blockade of former major
and big minor league talent.
IL such a move should prove success
full the Federal League would lose. for
the time being at least. the services OF
nearly every one OF its players VINO ~
worth "A nickel. Robbed Of its best tai
ent-such as II is-the Gilmore promo
ton either would have to suspend opera
tions or would be- obliged to try TO carry
on with hastily recruited sand lot material
a cause that has been exploited as a
worthy rival of the major leagues and
for which identical prices OF admission
would be charged.
II is not unlikely that war council of
the various powers of organized baseball
may be called before the National Com
mission determines upon Its policy OF
pressing this latest advantage TO the very
limit. Sentiment is just about equally
divided upon the question of ever taking
back into the organized fold those play
ers who deserted to the outlaws
AT the present time" said Mr.. Toole,
"the club presidents OF the major leagues
are deadlockcd on tho question. Those
who wera thrown down by players 10
whom fayors had been shown are natu-
rally bitter. They think organized base
ball should have nothing turthtr 10 40
with the maicontents The other side
favors more tolerant view. 1t argues
that the players We're less guilty than the
men who lurrd or triclied them away
and that the dissembers had been guilty
OF allowing avarce To conquer honor
II has been pointed out by attorneys for
organized baseball that II the plan oi
wholesale injunction Is employed against
the Federal League the enjolning clubs
necessarily will have to stand ready to
accept back into their employ those play
ers In question provided permanent IN
functions are forthcoming.
In the meantime the Wards of Brook
lNn, are ready 10 ~ N't 'NA
dict of the courts.
wv, never did believe in all these court
brawls" said Business Manager John Nj
Ward. himself lawyer of note, IN an III
tervew last night
II think Judge foells ruling In th'
johnson case will result In the very Des
possible good to baseball, both ORGANIZED
and independent. Certainly 1t places faltl
in contract rights and privileges. I'M
management of our club never did anS
never will countenance tampering VIII
men under contract.
"Ng To the decision of Judge Foell,
continued Mr. Ward. himself lawyer
at does not decide in any manner upoi
the validity of the reserve clause OF tn
major league contracts From what J un
derstand it passed only upon the validit!
of the ten days option Of release, whlcl
from the very start | always have main
tainei to he perfectly legal. Certain
complications might arise In connection
with the reserve clause and aside iron
the ten days clause that would con
stltutc ineuuity and | think such cas-
could be furnished easily to invalidat
the sense OF the reserve.
but for my part ! hope that all thi
litigation Will cease. 1t does not sped'
well for the fair name of the great gam
to be traduced through the courts of com
mon law, and the sooner the practic
ceases the better for both sides. W
went into baseball convinced that Their
was room for three leagues. We ar
SIN convinced of IT, A lot Of legu
suits win not tend is the least
strengthen the contentious OF elthc
party
John W. Ward declared he had no
heard of any Federal League plan
strike back at organized baseball as
result of the ruling of Judge Focll In tn
johnson case. lie seemed surprised whe
Informed that President James \. Gilmor
had served papers on Pitcher Blandng c
Cleveland I'm Chicago yesterday. Blandin
is 10 appear before Judge fuoll on Nor
day to show cause why ten
porary Injunction should not be granite
restraining him from playing with an
club but the Kansas City Federals With
the confines Of Cook county. Gilmore
confident that the decision in the JOhnso
ease will work as a boomerang again'
his enemy in the Instance Of Banding
Chairman Hermann OF the Nation,
Commission evidently is sparrlng whc
ha says that the fate of George join
svn will be left with Manager Hero
and the board of directors of the Cincil
natl club, No doubt Mr.. Hermann la
IN mlud the possible action of wholesa
injunction against major league deserte
ana does not wish to 20 on record unit
ponnlr opinion decides course of actio
IN Kansas city yesterday Chief Johl
son declared he never would wear a CT
s.unal uniform again