The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-06
If Outlaws Succeed I'm Buffalo Court
Their Chances VIII BE Brighter
Reasons Why Richmond Could
Not Get International Franchise.


better 10 preserve :: bold front in the
present critical situation
me national Commission, or what
II represents. has decided to come to
me aid OF those Class IA clubs which
,eed financial succor II also has been
learned that the big minors will elm
mate the payment Of guarantee money
In cities which have Federal League
opposition The guarantees In both
the international League and Amer
lean Association are 5000 a day for
visiting clubs. OF course. teams which
are exempted from the payment Of
guarantees Will not receive such wind
falls in other cities when they are
en- The road.
Both Jersey City and Baltimore have
been playing TO empty benches all
season. The guarantee for them was
severe hardship. II meant prac
tically a donation of 5000 every tire
they played at home. Abroad they
had little chance TO make up the de
nett OF this drain. because in few
towns were they able to outdraw The
guarantee. Especially was this so OF
Jersey city, team far down i'm tho
race
Now as to the plans of the National
commission. in regard 10 pressing its
r ~, against the Federal League
The hnd!ng of the United States cir
cunt Court of Appeals in Cincinnati
upholds the reserve clause of the 1919
contract. employed in the National
League. This decision won at Gin
cinnati. is likely 10 be equally good
IN every State of the Union 1t will
serve as final disposition of the frbt
between organized and indenenbcnt
baseball. unless the outlaw element
can appeal TO the United States SUI
preme Court, proceeding which will
require both time and money
IN other words, from the way the
case no" stands. the Federal League
wouia nave TO go on spending for
tunes on wild gamble before they
would have any opportunity to inter
iere with the chattels of organized
baseball There is just one faint raw
OF hope for "A loopholc from the mark
ed advantage that the National Com
mission apparently holds. This is tho
injunction proceedings against Hal
Chase before the Buffalo courts M m.
present time. Tomorrow arguments
OF the Federal League showing why
an injunction against Chase's appear
ance with the Burcds. should not be
made permanent Will be heard. Chase
mas submitted an affidavit OF twenty
TWO pages, showing-or trying TO
show-that he was a free agent when
he signed with Dick Carroll
Chase bases his argument on the
TACT that he gave Charles A. Co,nis-
key ten days notice Of the ter,pin.
ton of contract obligations. He also
cites varied alleged grievances of ar
bitrary salary cuts by his late en-
ployer. lie says further that Comis
Key refused TO eliminate an objection
able ten days option of release clause
IRON his contract, and that il WAS
through the mutual privilege OF this
that he terminated all obligations TO
the White Sox.
pears doubtful in view Of decisions in
similar arguments. the Federal Ieorue
might be able TO interest "A number OF
big league stars who at present are
wavering in their loyalty. If Prince
ilai loses the Federal League Will be
pretty well licked. As II precedent to
the Chase controversy organized baso
ban mas In its favor a ruling against
Marsans The Cuban deserted the Gin
cihhati club under exactly the same
conditions which marked Chasc's cxo-
dus from Chicago. President Hermann
was granted permanent Injunction
against his out!icldcr. which prevented
the descrter from appearing with any
Federal League club. Should the court
in Buffalo rule similarly TO the opinion
OF the 81. Louis jurist every channel OF
attack of the major leagues by the
FcderalS would be blocked
August Hermann, chairman of the
National Commission, has tipped off the
policy TO be pursued in the fight against
the outlaws. In the capacity of owner
OF the Reds. Garry II few days ago
wrote Marsans requesting him to return
At once to the employ of Cincinnati IL
y well known that Ierrnarn's letter
VAS sent in order TO establish incontro-
rcrtiblc evidence for the rehearing In
the Marsans injunction suit.
lierrnann'S action. however, in the
~ tnI
opens the doorway for the return TO
organized baseball of its many de-
sertcrs. The National Commission has
scored triumph In every legal argu-
ment against the enemy. Every clause
and phrase OF both tho 1913 and 1914
forms of major league contract have
been upheld by the various courts
iieular. however. the juris,s have
agreed. While stopping contract
Jumpers from appearing with other
clubs. they have declared they had no
authority TO compel either OF the par
ties to the instrument 10 fulfll his
contract obligations. Organized base
ball evidently could prevent every
player TO which 1t had claim from per-
forming In the Federal League. But it
could not force an Involuntary re-
turn of It's playing property.
Just now organized baseball seems
more concerned with result than with
method. To eliminate the Federal
League 1t would be ready to accept
back into the fold all tho renegade
element that helped TO launch the in
dependent enterprise. That tho foes
Of organized baseball appreciate the
dclegicato condition of their state Is
shown by the uttcrances or President
James y. Gilmore. OF the Federal
League. Gilmore says no Will invoke
the antitrust laws against tho major
leagues. This would be n last despor-
ate step. The National Commission
has Invited Federal government inves-
tiratiOn for moro Hmm q vear hn