The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-01-06
WARNING
To Federal League is Given in
Annual Report of National
Commission.
tov AenoclATgp enrssl


CINCINNATI. o., Jan. Ga dis
trict warning to the Federal league
not to infringe on what. clubs in the
national agreement consider their
rights is given In the annual report
of August Hermann, chairman of the
National Baseball Commission, has
not been made public today.
THE Federal League, which oper-
ated clubs In 1913 in territory occu-
pied by national agreement clubs, dig
not obtain prosperity or prestige,
the report says. "A passive policy
has been pursued by the commission
and the leagues directly affected to-
ward that organization but in the
and reservation rights
OF nationai agreement clubs are not
respected by it's (Federal League)
prom oters, 1t may become necessary
to employ strenuous measures for the
protection of the interests of major
and minor league clubs.
Rivalry will not be resented as
long as league and club rights are not
ignored, but Illegal and unsportsnau-
like interference with, emo utter dis
regard of established privileges OF
national agreement clubs will justify
the adoption of vigorous defensive
methods
Herrmann's statement Is regarded
as the answer of organized baseball
to the projects of the Federal League
whose spokesman, mcluulns ffSsl-
dent James A. Gilmore. have declared
that while they will respect actual
playing contracts held by national
agreement clubs, they will disregard
tho much discussed reserve clause
which they hold to be illegal.
ouching on the Gallagher resolu-
ton in the House of Representatives
"a Washington, the report says:
~ nF Gala
gher resolution in the House of Rep
resentatives was the forerunner of
newspaper discussion of COMPRESSION
al inquiry into the methods and pur-
poses of professional baseball as OPP
Grated under the national agreement.
This resolution, however, died in the
committee to which it was referred.
AS there has been no investigation
on this matter recently, ] assume
that those who are behind it have
concluded not to make further eff
forts in that direction.
THE attitude of the commission
relative to this investigation was
properly and clearly defined. A
thorough and impartial inquiry by
con gress or the federal or state
courts will be welcomed by all con-
nected with the clubs, in full conf
dence that the result will demon
strate that national agreement base
ball is conducted on sound business
principles, with due, regard to the
constitutional and statutory privil.
eyes and rights of all parties engaged
in it.
The report states that the worlds
series of 1913 was conducted IN u
spirit of true sportahh anship; tielel
| scalping was mirfinlisci allG the wv
York club was cleared ny lha 4'strict
attorney of that city OF cnarGes o.
eonniving with scalpers fhe Chica-
! go city series was a success, the re-
port says, but the C'eEeland-Pitts-
burg series suCfera; Jack Of patron-
age because application for the sane.
ton of the national LJlnpission was
too,long delayed, resulting in a detri
| mental effect on publicity. the st.
Louis series was & failure from ev'
| cry standpoint. 1t was not played
under the auspices of the commission
and came to no decision .becaQ use of
/ a row on the field, Herman states.
Correspondence of The commission
was heavier than during Tie p1eceed-
ing year, but the number of decisions
required of it was smaller. Appeals
| from decisions of the National board
Increased despite the tact that the
percent of reVersals in former years
was small. The commission still has
twenty cases under consideration.
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