New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-04-08
league OFFICIALS
I. ON WITNESS Stand
-9fTnann and johnson Both Deny
Organized Ball Is a Trust

Washington, April S-Three lead
.er@ in organized baseball testified YES
ferdaT in the District of Columbia SUI
premc court III the 100000 damage
.5t,it Of the Baltimore Federal league
sEl0b against the American and Ma
slonal league and certain officials of
tho defunct Federal league
August Hermann, chairman of the
N3llonal baseball commission was re-
called for cross examination by coun-
sci for the Baltimore club as to the
aisning of the peace pact and ne
gotlations leading UP to it. 3. Ban
croft johnson, president Of the Amer
lean league, and Connie Mack, presi-
dent Of the Philadelphia American
-1cague club, were the other witnesses.
The Philadelphia club president
testified as to relations existing be-
4 tween club officials and players in or
ganized baseball and cited mum Der
of instances designed to counter the
plaintiffs charges that organized base
ball was a monopoly and players were
permitted no privileges. The court
room was thrown into an uproar time
and again by the droIl answers made
BY Mr. Mack during cross eXamina-
ton.
President Johnson denied that the
profit, although the constituent clubs
were so operated. The reserve rule in
players contracts, attacked by the
Baltimore club as an evidence of
monopoly, was said by Mr.. Johnson to
be just as essential to baseball clubs
as coal to a train"
Testimony by Mr.. Hermann that
representatives of the Baltimore club
were present when the peace pact
was signed was reiterated by Presi-
dent Johnson, who added that at that
time these representatives made no
protest against the terms of the
agreement.
That Federal league competition
was feared was denied by Mr.. Herr
mann. When the peace pact was
signed. he said he was satisfied the
Outlaw" organization was on its last
legs. Objects of those negotiating for
dissolution Of the Federal league, he
asserted, Warc restoration of public
confidence in baseball and prevention
o contract jumping, Organized base
balls offer of $729.O00 to the Federal
clubs he sald was regarded a small
price to that end
1T was not competition [ feared.
he said. "but q repetition of condi-
tiors hat had surrounded the game
He denied the ineligible players
list was q blacklist In every in
ctanco, he said. tho national commits
sion had taken players from the in
eligible list upon request.
lii connection with the Baltimore
clubs charges that monopoly was the
aim of the defendants. it's attorneys
secured statements from Mr. Herr
mann that the former Brooklyn Fed
crai park was leased to the govern
ment and that the Pittsburgh Fcderals
were paid $4,000 for their franchise
without other property rights.
Counsel drew Mr., Hcrrmann's at
tention to his previous statement thai
the national commission was not con
Quoted for gain and that each clut
was run for profit, His salary as com
mission chairman. he stated, was 81
500. He did not know the salary
of President Johnson of the AmeTi
can league. but said Johnson was no
in baseball for his health.
Hermann testified the Baltimore
Federals lost 100000 in 1914 ont
1915.
Gate receipts in 1914 were $S0,20t
and decreased to $4,000 in the mex
4 season. The initial returns he said
we're so per cent less than required
for success of the venture.