New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-17
FIRST INNING
FOR ORGANIZED
BASEBALL OVER
Several runs" Scored in
Way of Affdavits in An
swer to Fed Charges.
NO VIOLATION OF
ANTITRUST LAWS
SO Declares Hermann, Johnson
and Others in Legal Battle Now
Under Way in Courts.

Chicago. Jan. 16.-0rgsnized baseball,
taking its first inning to-day in its lat
est conflict with the Federal League,
denied through afidavits of its leading
representatives that il violated the
antitrust laws, declared its purposes
and workings were for the benefit OF
the ball PLAYER, instead of for his in
Jury. and charged its accuser with do
ing some Of the very things complained
OF in the suit.
Emphasis is laid. through the amount
OF evidence presented, on the allegs-
ton that. although the Federal League
considered its rivals as forming trust
and depressing players, some of its
most prominent members appeared
willing TO ally themselves with organ
lied baseball.
In proof of this the twenty-four aft
davits filed in the Federal Court here
include statements by August Herr
mann. Joseph j. Lannin, NJ. L. Cantillon
and Charles Somers relating 70 the va
rious proposed plans for peace based on
an alliance which some Of the Fedora!
League owners, il vas said, were will
ing TO accept.
The burden Of z general denial OF
the Federal League charges and the
statement Of the case in general is left
20 August Hermann. as chairman OF
the National Commission. His am
davit, supported by those OF b. b.
Johnson, president Of the American
League. and John Heydler. secretary OF
the National League, describes the or
canization Of the professional game
and defends as legal and necessary the
ten-dav release and reserve clauses IN
He AafoVHc tina Ma
tional Commission from charges OF
holding control over the various organ
izations.
Charles A. Comiskey. giving his his
tory as a ball player since he entered
the professional game at Milwaukee IN
1876 az a salary of SO month, de-
clares he never broke q contract and
never objected TO the tenday clause IN
any Of the contracts he had signed
He complains of the loss Of Hal Chase
and Ted Easterly, who left his club for
the Federals, and also of the effect that
Federal bidding had on the minds OF
other players.
Raids on their clubs for players and
negotiations which preceded their
jumping" are told of By Hermann
Clark Griffith. Somers, Robert Hedges,
W. F. Baker, Barney Dreyfuss and FRED
Clarke.
Portions of the Federal League by
laws are quoted in the affidavit Of
Steve Cusack. formerly on its stan OF
umpires. 10 show that the ten-day
clause ana the reserve rule, on the
presence Of which in American and
National league contracts the charges
have been based in several individual
sDits. also are part of the new leagues
contracts. .-.
The affidavit By Ban Johnson traces
the history Of the American League,
and states that he agrees with por'
tion of the plaintiffs bill, which reads:
"That now and at all times hereto,
fore the supply Of expert baseball
PLAYERS Of special fitness ana UNDUE
and extraordinary skill mas peeh un-
equal TO the demand OF the various
major leagues" ,o,o 49,.
Nh, Johnson states that in 1910 there
vere forty-three minor leagues, EN-
hrac;ng more than 300 clubs. employ
/ inc < 600 or more players and having
: monthlv expenditure Of approximate,
l., s6oO 600 i'm salaries, these clubs all
baicg members of the National Asso-
teton ~ Professional Baseball CLUBS
"Competitive contests" says the n
fdavits. cannot be constantly AnI
rocr,lariv maintained in proiesslonai
baseball without the formation o. III
cToun Of competitors, which we eai,
I league The enterprise o. pasep I;...
aiIl result in loss unless the quall's
OF skill is high and is malntsiheo Q" q
/ HIGH level"