New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-08
Honor of the Game Is
Left UnsulIied, Judge
Lands Says.
DECISION MIGHT
HAVE BEEN FATAL
Court Declares Ruling Was
Withheld for Good of Game
Baltimore Is Satisfied.

Chicago. Feb. Z. After remaining IN
the United States District Court for
ono year the suit OF the Federal League
against organized baseball to-day was
dismissed by Judge X. ". lands. upon
motion Of counsel for the Federal
League.
In baseball circles tonight It wa
generally agreed that Judge Lands p
not handing down decision in the suit
had befricnded baseball and that be-
cause Of his consummstc diplomacy
IN the matter there would be no sore
pots on either Of the parties con
ccrnod
After directing that the suit be dis
missed Judge Lands said;
THE motion for q preliminary in
junction in this suit was presented t.
this court q little more than year
ago The whole structure OF organized
baseball was Immediately plunged into
litigation Aside from the interest o.
baseball fans there were two sides -
the controversy, organized baseball and
-o-callcd outlaw baseball. There was
r very full argument on every point
involved presented 20 the court and the
problems appeared simple from legal
point of view.
The courts expert knowledge o.
baseball obtained 10y more than thirty
wears Of observation OF the game as
spectator convinced me that il an order
had been entered IL would have been.
II not destructive. at least vitally in
furious 10 the game Of baseball
Neither Side Could Win.
NO matter what decision had been
made neither side would have emerged
from court victorious. Alter taking
counsel with my own judgment de-
cided that the court had the right OF
at least the discretion. 20 postpone de-
eision in the case and this was done.
II want to say that in all the pre-
iminarv evidence and the various
arguments, when the records were
gone over with fine tooth comb 10
ind something injurious 10 the other
side. not the slightest evidence was
presented TO cause the most suspicious
person 70 impugn the honor OF the
game or of any Of the Individual play
cIs.'
In the peace agreement between the
Federal League and organized baseball
The Baltimore Federals were dissatis-
fed. After the order of dismissal was
entered Attorney Janney said that Au-
gust Hermann and others prominent
in the amalgamation had promised that
the dispute with the Baltimore club
would be settled satisfactorily TO all
concerned.
81 hope this will be speedily accom-
plished," said the lawyer. "The Balu-
more club has an ample remedy al law
for any damages which IT may receive
and could also proceed under the Clay
ION act il it does not receive equitable
treatment
One of Peace Agreements.
For more than a year the suit, with
its possible outcome, had hung over
the baseball world. Its withdrawal
was one Of the stipulations in the re-
cent peace agreement between the FED
eral League. newcomers III baseball
and the older leagues.
No objection 10 the order OF dlsml5-
sal was advanced by counsel for the
Baltimore Federal League club, though
that organization had declared ITS DIS
abstraction with the terms OF the peace
dEteeIHtlt'
The dismissal order was without
prejudice to further appeal 10 the court
by any Of the interested parties.
After the order was entered, Attor-
ney Stuart 5. Janney, representing the
Baltimore Federals. said that II sat
isfactory settlement was not made with
that club. it had ample opportunity to
eek redress in the courts either in a
suit for damages OF under the provis-
ions Of the Clayton act prohibiting re-
straut Of trade.
None of the officials of the Federal
cor of the other leagues was in court
when the order was entered, both
.ides being represented by counsel, who
assured the court that all parties to the
suit had consented TO the withdrawal.
The intervening petition of the Balti-
more club was presented by Attorney
Janncy. who entered his appearance in
the suit before the dismissal order was
announced