The sun., 1919-03-27
KNABE QUIzzED ON
STAND IN FED SUIT
Baltimore Club Tries to Prove
Reserve Clause Violated
Antitrust Law.

WASHINGTON. March e6.-Testimony
apparently designed to prove organized
baseball a monopoly within the mean
ing OF the Sherman antitrust act was
introduced to-day In the trial In the
District OF Columbia Supreme Court Of
the damage suit Of the Baltimore Fed
eral League club against the National
ana American leagues and certain off,-
cials of the former Federal League. The
Baltimore club 10 seeking to recover
damages Of 100000.
Counsel for the Baltimore club called
two witnessed to-day. r. Otto Knabe,
assistant manager Of the Chicago club
Of the National League and formerly
manager OF the Baltimore Federals. and
l.. Edwin Goldman. former director Of
the complainant club. The former said
he had signed numerous players who
came to tho Baltimore club and that the
club was compelled to offer UNI 'ually
large salaries.
This was due. he said. to realization
by the players that they were going to q
new organization and fear that II any
thing happened to the new venture they
might ind II extremely difficult to re-
turn to the ranks OF organized baseball
! and might even be out OF employment
Says It's y Trust.
Both witnesses were asked many
questions regarding the reserve in tbs
contracts OF professional baseball play
ers, Goldman asserting that II was
through these clauses the organization
maintained control OF players from one
season to another. For the benefit Of the
/ jury the witness reviewed the forma =
ton Of the two older professional base
ball organizations and their methods VI
operation. which he claimed to be
monopolistic.
In response to questions regarding the
relative value of baseball players Gold
man gave II as his opinion that actually
there were not enough real first class
ball players In the country to form one
team. He explained the system through
which players are purchased and
drafted, and agreed on crossexamination
, that the Federal League in paying big
salaries to National and American
| League stars who jumped to the Fed.
erals did not have to take into considera.
ton the original draft OF the Individual.
I'VE would have been glad OF the
opportunity TO draft men, however" he
added, land would have paid for them
accordingly"
Asked About Reserve Clause.
George Wharton Pepper. counsel for
organized baseball interests. asked the
witness whether he considered that II
the salary paid professional ball players
was given them in consideration Of the
reservation the clubs held upon their
services for the next season. Mr.. Gold
man said II was not his understanding
that the salary OF bail players was 30
divided into two parts. He said the
Federal League In lis contracts with
players also inserted reservation
clause.
The examining attorney asked the
witness whether he considered that the
rules and regulations Of organized base
ball regarding relations between the
various clubs did not In effect work to
b! prevent rich clubs from buying out the
poor ones. In reply the witness said a
I rich club could get certain advantages
by reason OF its wealth, but that It would
not be good business for one club 70
have playing for 1t all the really first
class players.