The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-22
ORGANIZED BASEBALL
BEGINS ITS DEFENCE
George Wharton Pepper Open
Arguments to Batter Down
Charges Of FcderalS.
no RESERVE CLAUSE NOW

Curc.oo. Jan. 2i--organized baseball
began the presentation Of its case in the
Injunction suit " the Federal League late
this afternoon iu judge LIrdiss court
Nner Attorney GEORGE Wharton pepper
u philadelphia replied ~ the Arguments
+ the Federal League lawyers.
The Quaker city lawyer. ln addition 10
raising the question Of jurisdict.on de
clared the plaintiffs had given no good
reason for granting preliminary in
Junction against the National Commits
sion He compared the Federal LeaEue
.ontracts with those OF organized bail
md asserted that In the Federal League
player was bound hand and foot for
zen years.
The reserve clause is no longer I'm
effect" said Mr. Pepper. In contracts
- now drawn there is q stipulation that
IS per cent. Of the money is to be paid
- - salary and that % per cent. OF the
annual stipend Is ln tie form Of an op-
ION for q future contract For instance.
man signs FOR 1915. II at the end OF
he year the player and the team owner
'annot come 10 terms FOR 1916 the 1915
'pntract remains I'm effect for 1916. At
lie end of that time there i4 mo- con-
ract. II expires and the PLAYER becomes
free agcut--frpe to sign whore he
S.shes
in the case Of long term contracts
here Is q like stipulation. that At tho
nd ~ the contract the old contract re-
mains in force r there is no agreement
Ir new contract. hut remains In force
or 4 year only At the end OF that year
he player becomes a freA agent
Mr. Pepper concentrated his effort on
ryins to show that or-auized baseball
IA not come under the antitrust law.
The uIe1fiou al furIs1 ffsf ion t,p.s4l nm
epeatedly at the hearing TO-DAY. Jld-.
.ands on several occasions saving that
ne Fcderals had not yet established The
act that the case should be heard iu ne
'ederal Court. as ALLEGED ir their bill
le told Attorney AddinEtou this and he
nade q similar remark TO judge -. u.
levers of Indiana, who followed ~"
,ddinston and VINO argue1 thai Judge
.andis had jurisdiction. n ,rr Federal
.eaEie attorney fail to cor.urr Julr.
Jndis that his court has iIrl iiHtlbu boz
he case II will he thrown ont and i've
lantn will have to bring It's grievances
o some other tribunal It 8, expected
.;her theories will be cited l0d the point
etted tomorrow.
when the days session begar KcUnc II
Arlington, chief counsel for the Federal
.eaRue. continued TO hurl bruaiside~ at
- National Commission. Judge Lands
'opped Addington frcquertlv TO warn
m that what he was saying was known
ready to tho court Among the points
Iade by AddinEton we're.
The freedom of contract is not per-
tied In organized baseball The binding
I'ect OF the players contract stan exists
ter the alleged reforms OF tho fraternity.
he contention that the National Assoc
alton OF Minors prescrihes It's own form
contract means rothiuE In chat players
that organizati ion are readily governed
ninding articles IN tine national agI---
u.nt and by rules OF the National Com
's-lon. 4 new contract must be signed
.cn year aud must contain thu option
ausc Tive major leagues have changed
" old reserve clause. hut rs effects stlll
lat 10y virtue % the national agreement
I'D National Commission, which govern
players NE with tine leagues of Or
,Di2ed baseball. The contract OF the
aver y for court purposes only. The
Jntract f. binding az Inst the pjayer
ut not against the club