New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-06
Federal League Must Not
Infringe on Rights OF
Protected Clubs.
HERR MANN AGAIN AT
HEAD OF COMMISSION
Demands Of Players Considered
and Meeting To-day viii
Be Open to All.

Cincinnati. Jan August Hermann
n, Cincinnati. vas reelected chairman of
the National Baseball commission here
,o-dav. while John Bruce. or Cincinnati
and ST Louis. was again chosen score
tary Of the body.
Governor Toner of Pennsylvania, IN"
NOW president OF the National League.
made his first appearance as member OF
the commission. while q distinct warning
IN tho Federal League not 70 infringe on
what clubs In the national agreement
consider their rights. was given in the an
nual report Of August Hermann. chair
man OF the commission. lie said In part:
TIE Fed raj League. which operated
clubs in 1913 in territory occupied by ma
tional agreement clubs. did not attain
prosperity or prestige. 4 passive policy
has been pursued by the commission and
the leagues directly affected toward that
organizatio but il the contractural and
reservation rights of national agreement
clubs arc not respected by its (Fedcral
League) promoters. il may become neces-
sary to employ strenuous measures for
the protection cf the interests OF major
and minor league clubs
Rivalry will not be resented so long as
league club rights are not ignored. but
Illegal and .unsportsmanlIke interference
with. and utter disregard Of established
privileges will justify the adoption Of Wig
orous defensive methods"
4
ed as the answer OF organized baseball to
the projects of the Federal League. whose
spokesman. including James A. Gilmore.
have declared that. while they will respect
actual playing contracts held by national
agreement clubs. they will disregard the
much discussed reserve clause, which
they hold 10 be illegal.
Touching on the Gallagher resolution
in the House OF Representatives, at
Washington, the report read:
1.-The introduction OF the Gallagher rcso-
luton in the House of Representatives
was the forerunner 10 newspaper discus
sons OF Congressional inquiry into the
methods and purposes Of professional
baseball as operated under the national
agreement This measure, however. died
in the committee to which II was re-
ferred AS there has been no agitation
on this matter recently. | assume that
those who were behind it have concluded
not TO make further efforts in that direc-
ton
The attitude of tho commission rcla-
tive to this investigation was promptly
and clearly defined. A thorough and I'M
partial inquiry by Congress or the fedora
or state courts will be welcomed by all
connected with the game. In full conf
dence that the result will demonstrate
that national agreement baseball is
conducted on sound business principles.
with due regard to the constitutional and
sta tutory privileges and rights OF all par
ties engaged in it,
The report states that the worlds series
Of 1919 was conducted in a spirit Of true
craftsmanship; ticket scalping was mini
mixed. and the New York club was cleared
| by the District Attorney of that city Of
charges OF conniving with scalpers.
| Correspondence Of the commission was
heavier than during the preceding year
but the number Of decisions required of
ii was smaller.
| Appeals from decisions Of the national
beard increased despite the fact that the
| percentage of reversals in former years
was small. The commission still has
/ twenty cases under consideration.
The secretary reported that tho total
money handled by the commission from
all sources. Including the worlds series
amounted to ss55.66s IS He said that 5,725
! decisions and statements were handled
during the year, while 725 bulletins were
promulgated and Lis letters and tele-
| grams sent out.
After taking up the requests OF the
| baseball Players Fraternity one by one
/ and discussing them thoroughly the mem
bers Of the commission and The commit
tee from the National Association Of
/ Minor Leagues adjourned this evening
ready to present solid front when the
| AUTOMOBILES.