South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-08
PUBLIC IS WITH
THE OLD LEAGUES
SAYS PRESIDENT
Federal League, He Says, Seeks
to Justify Act or Grounds
That Organized Baseball is a
Big Trust.

CINCINNATI. Jan. S.-Pres. John
L. Tener of the National league at
meeting CT the directors or his or
SANITATION here Wednesday issued
statement in which ne prophesied
that public opinion would be on the
side OF organized baseball in case a
war is Taged by the Federal league.
Pointing out that the Federal
league attacks upon organized base
ball has been confined TO two points
on that the reserve clause was IN
valid and the other that the parties
70 the national agreement are mem
bers OF a trust, Pres Tener voiced his
opinion that neither charge could be
considered seriously. The statement
follows:
Baseball today owes it's popularity
and very existence 20 organization
Such organization alone has develop
ed and will preserve and perpetuate
the game 10 and for the American
people. Nevertheless organized base
ball is being attacked today by those
and those only who desire TO reap
commercial benefits thereby.
Can Stand Attacks.
To-day. however. finds baseball
moro completely and thoroughly or
ganized than ever, and therefore bet
ter able to withstand and combat the
attacks that are being made upon II.
The Federal league does not base Its
attacks upon an allegation that the
public has not been given clean, high
class ball, nor that the players nave
not been fairly treated or paid COM
nensurate salaries. but 1t is endeav-
oring to induce players TO break their
contracts. and seeks to excuse and
justify it's conduct upon two legal
points, namely, the alleged ELEGANTLY
OF the reserys clause in the players
contracts, and the general statement
that organized baseball constitutes
trust / mean by this that the Fed
eral league has officially announced
that IL will test the reserve clause IN
the courts and failing 70 justify It's
contention of Illegally. IL will then
seek to have organized baseball In
vestigated and dissolved as trust.
But such a threatened war on or
ganized baseball begun by promoters
simply for financial gain and based
upon broken contracts of players.
takes no heed or account OF the sport
loving public, or the real welfare or
our national game; and / believe the
dissaproval OF such a war at the bar
OF public opinion will count far more
against this movement and its pro-
moters than any technical decisions
in the courts. even though the
courts should again uphold the legal
ity and equity Of the reserve clause.
Present Contract Legal.
I'm point OF fact IL is we'll known
that the legality OF the present form
OF contract between the league and
player was attacked, but its valid ~
IN law and equity was sustained by
the supreme court in Pennsylvania in
the LajOie case With respect to the
allegation that either the National or
American league or both of them as
parties to the national agreement are
Illegal combinations or trusts, in re-
straint Of trade. or in violation OF
antitrust statutes. 1t is difficult 10
take such declarations seriously. Ex-
perience has demonstrated that this
national agreement, existing between
and satisfactory TO all leagues has
done more TO place our national
game foremost among all outdoor
sports the world over than any other
influence. Under the provisions OF
this agreement a player has his day
in court and through the national
commission an opportunity is given
him for a fair. impartial and thor
ough hearing ID the end that full
justice may be done him.
I'VE naturally and properly as
sanctioned and sustained by OuI
courts Of justice. OBJECT 10 players
breaking their contracts. but il the
proposed Federal league will draw
its supply from the growing field OF
every year IL will meet with no oppo
sition from us.
VIII Continue Policy.
Speaking for the National league
I may add that we propose to con.
tinue our policy OF fair-dealing witt
our players and with the public anC
we have no doubt in so doing, oul
actions viii meet with general appro
baton
The proposed meeting of the ma
tional baseball commission did no
take place Wednesday. partly Owinl
10 the lengthy meeting of the Nation
al directors and partly TO the fac
that Pres Tener had 10 leave on al
early afternoon train for the east.
When the announcement was mad
that there would be no further meet
ings OF the committee at this session
major and minor league magnate
hurriedly packed their grips and lef
town.
The committee from the Nationa
association Of professional baseball
leagues had hoped 10 take up severa
matters with the commission con
corning legislation that was brough
up at the last meeting o. the Ma
tional association at Columbus bu
this plan was abandoned when Pre-.
Tener left town.
The National league meeting de
veloped little other than the state
ment issued by Pres. Tener. The n
quests granted 10 the baseball play
ers fraternity deals entirely with IN
contracts and necessitates the chane
ing OF the present contract in sever.
particulars. This was discussed 4
the league magnates and IL was az
nounced that the old contracts cOul
be signed until the new contracts ar
issued. The conditions to be inScrte
in the new contracts. however will Z
binding upon all clubs. who hay
signed or viii sign players 70 ol
contracts