The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-11

suppose the washington ia4S
Walter Johnson's case into a98t
courts in the land is turned Da. On.
yes. this is entirely within the realms OF
boss. bility. Suppose, for instance, that
the Feds are able TO convince the court
that Johnson was compelled to sign his
79l4 contract under duress, making it
question of either signing a contract
With an option clause or not signing at
all. thus preventing his making living.
What then? The Feds will then keep
Johnson. But that's the smallest harm
# all Such a decision viii nullify alb
zolutely the hold the various clubs now
have upon their players, rendering
Vell-nigh worthless many thousands OF
dollars in investments all over the
country.
If the courts of the land decide that
rcserving players from year TO year IS
bat form of peonage, where does or
gauized or unorganized baseball get of?
Indeed, one such decision has actually
been made In a Federal court in Buff
falo. N Y. With that example before
their eyes, il would naturally be sup
posed that the magnates would choose
% go slowly when they found them
9elves headed for court But, on the
other hand, they are marching proudly
along. satisfied in their own minds that
NtctOry is on their side.
For years thousands Of ball players
we're held by absolutely worthless bits
y paper" They were not contracts in
he eyes Of the law, for they held no
UUtuality. But as often as baseball
men were told that by well-meaning
friends. just so often were the latter
Slven the laugh, pooh-pOohed. So sure
we're the n1agnates of their case that
hey actually allowed such a case to be
AIKEN INTO court There the ten-days'
r.Iease clause. one of the pillars OF the
came, was declared sufficient to throw
son before their eyes. how can the mag
ties continue in their present dan
grOus course2
Baseball does not require the release
a-sc. much as some magnates and
anaEers say, but IL does require the
serve clause, either in writing or IN
Eentleman's agreement Right there
ONES the sorry hitch in the whole
ruDosition. The real truth OF the whole
.tuation is that the magnates cannot
1st each other.
o.. the courts throw out the present OPP
D clause, thus rendering futile every
Eo-t Of the magnates 10 hold thelr
ayers beyond the life of each indi-
dual contract. relief may be found
signing q player for one year and
men having every other club decline to
., business with player re- using 10
.-u up with his old CLUB. OF course,
...= could not be done in writing be-
..Se the courts might call it con-
PLAYER found no club but his
% Wiling to talk business with him,
would perforce, be compelled TO
..-,.u his own club. He would be IN
&. TO prove that a conspiracy existed
force m to stay with his own club.
..a magnates' grip upon the players
nd be complete, and yet no law
ND be broken.
ut it is right here that the mag
.as' Gistrust Of ch other appears.
the courts are invoked in the matter
these contracts, baseball may be
red 10 limit all future contracts to q
.-Ia year or more without reservation
ariting. Suppose Walter Johnson,
ming for i single season became auto
ideally a free agent at the close OF
"a season, could the Washington club
sue that some other maguate might
~ cndeavor to sign him offering him
~e money? The temptation Is too
.-puC, and baseball men know IT,
lie magnates insist that the stability
the game requires al least the re-
.ye clause n the contracts. some ask
the release clause as vel. With
.aaCe declared between the Feds and
.lse -est, and all these CoECactual ques-
aus settled amicably between both
ranches Of the organization, the play
would still be able 70 cause trouble
Any player having q release clause in
BIS contract would know that he was
not held by that piece Of paper. and
-"~nity always seeking 70 protect the
aver. this matter would gu ckly be !
.ro4Eht 20 his attention
r lie WaEDates can agree upon any 1
r#ies they wish, but the time has gone
r-eG the player bowed humbly before
IH. dec slOus Of the National Commits .
sion. Even yet the maEnates may /
save part Of their grip upon the play
".s. bat IL they continue to seek court 1
r-InEE, they are doomed 70 utter fail I
The baseball world Will benefit by |
.-a.s. Why should the two major /
..ag-es insist that they, and they
H.rG@. shall be major leagues? What |
-g.r'ltLtes a major league" anyway? /!
.r ID playing strength Populations |
rrIits2 SalaT
"'r-aiuiy. playing strength has little |
.. DO with II, for the Buffalo club and
lie Baltimore club Of the International 4
D. agIc were fully as strong last year
7- haf the clubs in the two major !
a-u-s. II population enters into the |
coming, whore does Washington get
H. as major league Uty. while Bal
'wora. Buffalo. san Francisco and
ANY others remain IN the minOrsg
p may be said, perhaps. that the pres
..ra Of an iutersectiOnal test. as be-
-..'n the East and West together with
,la aDsence Of a salaES lin I really
makes d major league what il is
Though the National League claimed |
3D. I'D sincerity that there is room for |
H.r me major league" Ban johnson \
y that two could exist and wax II