South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-21
NOBODY HURT YET
IS CLAIM Of BIG
LEAGUE MACNATES
First Day of Fed Suit Before
Judge Lands IntimateS That
Case Will be Long - Many
Witnesses Are Summoned.

CHICAGO, Jan. g We still have
our turn at bat and then we will drive
out few long hits. The argument
submitted thus far has not impressed
me and we are more confident than
ever. Ban B. Johnson, president OF
the American league.
We have nothing to fear from
what has been brought out in the case
up to this time john X. Tener,
president of the National league.
Nothing TO say right now, except
that things look favorable for the
Federal league ''-Pres't James A.
Gilmore. Of the Federal league
With confidence high on both sides.
the arguments in the case or the Fed
eral league against organized base ball
was resumed before Judge lands in
the federal court here COday. The
F'ederals seeking 10y injunction to stop
the operation Of the national agree
ment and demolish the fabric of or
ganized baseball, fired their opening
gun when Keene II. Arlington, of
Indianapolis their chief counsel. made
his statement before the court yester-
day He planned TO conclude today.
The forces OF organized baseball have
not given out the name of the lawyer
who will make their opening address.
either George Wharton Pepper of
Philadelphia or Charles w. Miller will
have the honor.
Case viii Drag.
From indications today the case Is
likely to drag along for a week or 10
days. Mr.. Addington consumed more
time in his address than il was
thought he would, and if the counsel
on both sides take similar liberties.
the arguments alone Will consume
three or four days Then will come
the taking Of evidence in support of
the large number Of aftidaVits fled
and judging by the presence in chi
cagO of baseball owners and players.
the number of witnesses will be large.
Among the sins laid at the door Of
the national agreement Of organized
baseball by Mr.. AddingtOn in his adj
dress were the following:
Used the blacklist. as a weapon;
termed its rivals outlaws and the
men who played under other banners
contract jumpers; that their national
agreement stifled competition within
as we'll as without; that players never
escaped control of its tentacles; that
there was no such thing in organized
baseb ball as a real contract between
player and owner; that the player re-
manned a chattel even after he had
served his usefulness and was an as
set then because he could be sold or
traded; that he did not progress as
he became more proficient but that
he progress at the will of the en-
ployer; that he was used as a chattel
and as a stake in a gamble by club
owners; that his contract might be
revoked at the will OF his employer.
The To-day clause in players con-
tracts was described as meaningless
in that the player cannot become Il
free agent at any time under the
terms of the national commissions
agreement with the individual clubs.
The system OF farming" players
out TO minor league clubs was de-
clared to be rampant, although the
term was abolished by the national
commission some time ago
VIII End Fraternity.
For the first time in its history"
Mr.. AddingtOn declared. organized
baseball has been compelled To meet
its players in an organization and
compelled likewise to meet outside
competition. 1t is organized baseballs
hope and belief that it Will be able 10
throttle out this competition. II will
then make short work of the Players
fraternity.
THE men in the Federal league are
in the baseball business in the interest
OF sport. Dul llhtNiSt, AAcS dit III u
for legitimate monetary profits. And
they will conduct their business only
on a sound and a legal basis.
The men on the other side OF the
fence those in organized baseball. rep
resent that they are not in the bust
ness for profit at ALL but simply for
sport. But / venture TO say now that
before I get through l will show you
just how IL their statement is
Dist. Atty. Charles +. Clyne occu-
pied a seat in the court room during
the greater part of the day. 1t has
been limited that if Judge lands de-
cides the Federal league is entitled to
temporary injunction the govern
ment may take up an investigation Of
organized baseball under the Sherman
antitrust act