Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-21
0. B. B, OPPRESSOR
OF MEN AND MINORS
Counsel for Federals in Famous
Suit Now Begun Paints Reg.
ulars" as Tyrant Grew.
PLAYERS WORST OF SLAVES

CHICAGO. Jan O.-The powers that
control Organized Base Ball. OF at least
are said TO control a. were described as
oppressors Of minor leagues and ball
players by Keene Arlington. chief OF
counsel for the Federal league. In his
opening address today in the anti-trust
suit against the National commission, tho
American league and the National league.
Arlington cited features Of the National
agreement. decisions OF the National
commission and general practices OF base
BAN authorities 20 show that the game
Is governed by n group having almost
absolute power. with authority TO make
laws Judge OF infractions Of the laws
and impose penalties for infractlons.
Addngton had not finished his opening
argument when court adjourned tonight
and II was declared the case probably
would last .welI into next week.
= Chance 20 see Celebrities.
The first session attracted a large num-
her OF base ball players. and though the
arguments involving much legal matter,
had no thrills for them, they were recon-
pensed partly BY close views of celebfi-
ties.
Some Of tho best known leaders OF the
professional game were among the spec
tators and later may be called as wit
nesses. Grouped about the table OF coun-
sci for the defendant were the three
members Of the National commission
Chairman Hermann. President Tener
end President johnson. Nearby were
ciilb owners in both minor and major
leagues. maliagers and players. Al the
table Of the Federal league lawyers we're
President Gilmore. Charles weeghman
and others. Differences among their
employees were not allowed TO influence
the friendship of tho players. for Man
agfer Bresnahan OF tho Cubs and Man
aser Tinker OF the local Federal league
club conversed amicably.
Attaeksl Waivrr and Draft.
AT the afternoon session Arlington de-
voted q large proportion OF his address
60 an attack on the waiver and draf,
rules and practices He declared the for
MGR vested control or the player moi
alone IN the club he serves. but also In
other clubs. Ills chance Of becoming q
free agent Is slight according 70 Adding
ton. since Il requires action Of many dit
ferent entities.
Addington charges that the valve
method is used az a means OF humiliathl
or discipllnine a player and then brough
IN the chareo made In an affidavit b.
Aordecai Brown that when Presiden
Murphy Of the Chicago Nationals sol
him TO Louisville Il was with the agree
meat that brown never would be. allowe
again 10 join the majors
Here TttoFney George Miller for IN
defendants. called additional attention q
the circumstance that Brown later playc'
with the Cincinnati club In a maio
league, but AddinEton said the agreemen
between Chicago and Louisville was wha
he wished 20 cite.
Even n It kept a player out OF majo
league ball only for q time the harm o
the system u apparent" argud.
cited rs Oppression.
The fact that PLAYER IL without ehoic
as TO the club or league IN which he play
WAS cited by Federals' counsel a. a cas-
Of oppression.
Changes In the players contract whic
we're made last year az the lchcst OF n
PLAYERS Fraternity. were declared b
Addington not TO have materially mod
lied q. He called a renlarkabla that sue
close associates As Chairman Herman
and President johnson should disagree
he Interpretation of the contract. as !
charged they did.
johnson, he said. In his affidavit. a
elared that the option extended a contra
Tor one year only
Landta on the dob.
Judge Landts Was particularly inte
ested IN the Brown case. cited by Addin
ton. ana asked that Il be retoid. 4
showed knowledge OF the national gan
by noting--which counsel hal rot done
that q petition purporting 10 be ire
the Players Fraternity 10 tae Nation
commission was signed by players fro
only one club n was explained that Il
players had pottionsd BY teams.
LEADERS u orEanlzed Bah expresa
themselves not sur6used AZ anything I
Federal league pffsented today
We have nothins 70 fear from VII
MAS brought up today" President Ten
Of the National league said. and othe
were Of similar opinion.