The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-06
Strange Paradox Emphasized by
Charges Brought by
Federals
GAME OWES PRESTIGE
TO IT'S ORGANIZATION
Looks AS III the Suit Were
Really Aimed at
e, Contracts
BY HAROLD V. WILCOX.

The Federal league has at last
started something big. II has under
taken 10 prove in the United States
courts that organized baseball Is a
gigantic trust. formed in violation OF
the common law and the statutes
which declare combinations In re-
straint of trade illegal. Strangely
enough. this trust" exists solely be-
cause il is based on competition SO
fierce that Il can and does, year after
year. thrill an entire nation.
The progress OF the suit that was
filed yesterday before Federal Judge
Landis, will be watched with intense
interest throughout the United States.
Fandom has long wondered just what
sort OF standing at law this organiza-
ton which has done such wonders
for the national game. has. And
then, fandom cannot help but feel
that II the Feds are successful In
their suit. the Reorganization chat
will follow. will be terrific blow
TO professional baseball.
No matter what the courts may de-
eide regarding the legality OF organ
lied baseball, the followers or thefna'
tional sport will always be convinced
that the organization that now exists,
is largely responsible for the games
prestige In recent years. In the early
days OF professional baseball, organ
ization rescued the game from the
gamblers and roughnecks. Under the
regime OF the national commission
which came into being in 1903, the
game has reached height OF popu-
larity, which is almost incredible.
Only in those temporary periods OF
DISCRIMINATION, known ms wars,
has the game suffered serious set
backs and loss of popularity.
The salaries OF players have stead
lily increased, almost unbelievable
sums have been expended for equip
nlent, and the tax on the people mas
remained at very reasonable fgure.
Today the worst fate that can befall
ball player is not to fall into the
clutches OF organized baseball, but TO
become free agent.
II the Federals should succeed in
breaking up the national association,
il is hard to see where they would
ultimately gain anything. They would
have joyous time signing players,
probably, but in the end, If they ex.
pect to continue permanently in this
vale OF tears, their only hope would
be to restore some all-powerful or
ganization and central power, such as
they are now anxious 10 have de-
clared void.
There Is one thing connected with
this whole suing business that tends
TO discredits the case of the Federals.
II is going TO be tremendously diff
cult to convince anybody, LATED
States judges included, that the out
laws have any particular objections
TO ruling sport OF such magnitude
as baseball with a national commits
sion and an iron.clad organization. Ii
Will be fairly easy to convince the
world, on the other hand, that the
Feds do hope to take advantage OF
their suit to induce ball players TO
break contracts. With that angle par
amount, 1t is hard to believe that the
courts will lend them any aid.
For many years, there have been
outbursts from various sources that
attacked the legality OF the national
agreement. Congressional investiga-
tons have been started and suits
threatened, but the thing never came
I'D u III. all VI
these incidents. baseball authorities
have held themselves ready and will
ing for a probe. That, of course, is
the proper attitude, but so insistent
have been the magnates that they
cannot be convicted under the trust
laws, that 1t would appear that they
knew their ground.
Garry Hermann said something
too. when he suggested that some
counter charges of conspiracy would
be filed against the Feds. II would
seem that organized ball would have
as much OF case against the outlaws
on that score, as the outlaws have
against o. B. on the charges that they
make.
Probably neither will get very far
in court. The Feds will get a lot OF
advertising that they seem to con.
slider valuable, and the commercial
side OF the national sport will more
than ever overshadow the sport side.
IN the great dot rim ont ~ tho era,,,o