The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-08
TENER THINKS PUBLIC
is FOR ORGANIZATION
National League President Issues Statement Rela
tive to War Waged by the Federal League-Be-
lives New League Should Draw From New
Crop of Players Developed Last Year,

=. Cincinnati. o.. January 7.-President
sJohn * Tener, OF the National League,
sat q meeting of the directors of that
Organization here tc day issued state
1mcnt In which he prophcsied that
spublic opinion would be on the side OF
organized baseball in case n war were
waged by the Federal League.
~ Pointing out that the Federal League
attacks upon organized baseball havo
been confined 10 two points. one that
the reserve clause was invalid. and the
lcther that the parties TO the national
agreement are members Of n trust,
President Toner voiced his opinion that
neither charge could be considered Sc
.riously.
= Baseball to-day owes its popularity
and very existence to organization"
says the statement such organiza-
-tion alone has developed and Will pre-
serve and perpotuate the game to the
for the American people. Nevertheless,
organized baseball is being attacked
TO-DAY by those, and those only, who
'desiro TO reap commercial benefits
'lhorehy.
- 'To day. however, finds baseball more
completely and thoroughly organized
than ever, and therefore better 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 a good high class base
ball, or that the players have not been
fairly treated on paid commensurate
salaries. but IL Is ondeavoring to in
ducc players TO break their contracts
and seeks to excuse and Justify Its con-
duet upon two legal points, namely
with the alleged illegalty of the re
serve clause in tho players contracts
and the general statement that organ
ized baseball constitutes trust
mean by this that tho Federal League
has officially announced that 1t Will
test the reserve clause In the courts.
and failing to justify its contention of
illegality st Will then seek to have
organized baseball investigated and
dissolved as a trust.
But such a threatened war on OF
eanized baseball begun by promoters
simply for financial gain, and based
upon broken contracts OF players. takes
$50 heed or account OF the sport-loVins
public. or the real welfare of our ma =
tional game: and | believe the disap-
provaI of such n war 1T tho bar OF
public opinion VIII count far more
against this movement and it's pro
inotcrs than any technical decisions IN
the courts even though such courts
should again uphold the legality and
equity of the reserve clause
In point of fact, 81 is we'll known
that the legality OF Tho present form
Of contract between the league and
players was attacked but its validity
the Supreme Court Ia Pennsylvania in
the Lajoic case With respect 20 the
allegation that either tho National or
american League, or both of them, :ls
parties 10 the national agreement. are
illegal combinations or trusts In re
struint OF trade or in violation OF anti
trust statutes. il is difficult 10 take such
declarations seriously Experience has
demonstrated that this national agree
ment existing between and satisfactory
10 all leagues has done more 10 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 oppor;unity is given
HIN for fair. impartial hearing 10 the
end that full justice may be done him.
we naturally and properly. as sane
TONED and sustained by our courts Of
Justice, object TO players breaking
their contracts, but If the proposed
l'edcral League Will draw its supply
from the growing field OF baseball play
orS coming to the front every year, IL
viii meet with no opposition from us.
speaking Tor the National League.
! may add that we propose to continue
our policy uf fair dealing with our
players ..nd with the public, and we
lave no doubt in 50 doing our actions
VIII meet with general APPROPRIATION"
The PROPOSED meeting Of the Nation
~ Baseball Commission did not take
place to-day, partly owing To- the
lengthy meeting OF the National
League directors, ana because Presl-
don't Tencr had TO leave on an early
afternoon train
The committee from tho National
Association. 81. professional baseball
leagues had hoped 10 take up several
matters with the commission concern
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