The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-14
SEATON CASE TAKEN
TO COURT BY BAKER
Both Brooklyn and Chicago
Fed Magnates Are Defen-
dants in New Action.
SUIT DOUBLE BARRELLED
Aims to Restrain Pitcher; Also
Asks $4,000 Damages on
Conspiracy Basis.

CHICAGO. April 13.-william r. Baker.
president OF the Philadelphia National
League Baseball Club. who recently de-
feated FEDERAL Leasue magrates in a suit
for the services OF Catcher william KILL
f.r, announced last nisht that he had be-
gun an action for $4,000 d1msses
against Federal League officials. In par
ticular he named President James A. Gil
more. Robert r. Ward and Walter 8.
Ward. the owners of the 81 ooklyn Feds.
and Charles W eghman. w NJ Walker
and Manager Joe Tinker OF the Chicago
Frderals In addition to this suit. In
which he alleges conspiracy on the part OF
the Independent promoters. Mr. Baker
said another action has b en- brought In
equity to restrain the above named de-
PENDANTS from interfering In any way
with Mr.. Bakers business or meddling
with any OF the players OF his club.
These two suits were Instituted yester-
day In the United States District Court
for the Northern District Of Illinois.
George Wharton Pepper and Samuel VI.
Clement, Jr.. Of Philadelphia acted with
Horace X. T my of Chicaao as attorneys
for the Philadelphia National League
club. Mr.. Pepper handled Philadelphia
defence OF the Killifer case at Grand
Ranids. Mich. recently.
The suits which w,re begun Yesterday
In Illinois have direct reference to
pitcher Tom Seaton. a member of the
Brooklyn Federal League club. aho de-
serted the Ph!lles las. winter and who
held up the Ward brothers In most
arbitrary fashion until they surrendered
to his terms few days ago. Seaton
signed n Chicago Federal League contract
and objected to a transfer to Brooklyn I'M
til he had been htingly Undermined.
As was announced exclusively In THE
SY'N 1nqt so ha IN hrp
in Illinois have absolutely no connection
with the recent Killfer case. A, the
time Seaton signed with the Federal
League Mr. Baker notified those inter-
ested In the independent movement that
he would seek redress In the courts II
Seaton did not return to the Philadelphia
National League club.
''The matter has been under advsement
for some time said Mr.. Baker. MIR.
Pepper. my chief attorney. pointed out
two ways In which l might find redress
and l told him to. 20 ahead. We should
have started the action sooner, but wished
TO give Seaton every fair chance to re-
turn to us OF his own voltion. He did
not do so nor did his present employers
show any disposition to give him up.
II have tried unsuccessfu.ly for some
time to determine just to what parties OF
the Federal League Pitcher Seaton be-
longs But because he was recently
transferred from Chicago to Brooklyn
both these Federal League clubs. as well
rs President Gilmore. have injured me.
For that reason all are made codefend-
ants"
President Baker explained further that
an injunction against Federal League in
reference Wa sought so that Seaton and
all other persons might be restrained from
trying to induce players under contract to
desert to the new league. He has in mind
the case OF Pitcher Earl Hamilton of the
ST, Louis Americans. who forsook his club
despite contract Obligations, on the eve Of
the opening OF the major league season.
While Mr.. Baker would not explain the
full purpose of the double action in nli-
no!s II is believed the Injunction proceed
ings will cover the Seaton tangle and that
this dlsloyal twirler will be included in the
meaning OF the term club property.
through right of the much disputed re-
serve clause.