The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-14
HEYDLER DISPARACES
EFFECT OF DECISION
No Interest in Baseball Bust
ness, He Says.

Except in certain business details
which he declared do not interest the
public professional baseball will not be
affected by the decision in favor Of the
Baltimore Federals. said John Heydler.
president of the National League at his
home here last night THE baseball pub
lie is interested only IN the proceedings
IN the baseball parks. and not in the
various business matters connected with
the National Commission and the play
ers' contracts" said Heydler.
THE elimination by the trial Judge OF
the evidence bearing on the negotiations
for and making OF the peace agreement
with the Federal League was TO me the
greatest disappointment Of the Washing
ton trial. IL ever men acted in good
faith they wSre those representatives Of
the National and American leagues who
met the delegates of the Federal League
at the Waldorf Astoria on the night OF
December 10, 1915. and entered into a
compact with them for the purpose of
restoring baseball order and discipline.
"At that conference. and on the very
threshold of its proceedings. the ques-
ton OF the authority q the Federal
League committee TO negotiate and mako
binding peace terms was raised deliberr
ately and repeatedly. In every such in
stance full authority 10 make a settle
nent was guaranteed US by President
Gilmore, chairman OF the Federals' COM
rnittee. Every such declaration was
made In the presence apd hearing of
President Rasin OF the Baltimore Fed
eral League club. who neither by act nor
voice dissented.
mo agreement was ever entered into
With more implicit good faith in that all
he remaining clubs in the Federal
League would agree to the settlement.
Yet. because Of the courts rulings on, the
POINTS of law In the case. this important
factor was not given to the jury.
despite this unfavorable decision,
however. there Is nothing that cannot
he remedled by higher court. II err
ror has been made. Should even the
highest tribunal approve what has
row been decided ] am confident that
The game will go on as before. The
national game on the business side
VIII DE conducted along lines in har-
rnony with the final decree, and this
doubtless Will he accomplished without
tetractIug IN the least from the game
- a means Of entertaining the pub
he or as continuing its function as the
one great athletic stimulus for the
youth OF the nation. The game is not
affected by the decision except In its
business aspects and l believe the pub
lie has little interest in those.
"The arrangements for the conlHg
championship season will In no way
re affected by the decisions and there
s no occasion. present or remote, for
he baseball public. the owner, player
or umpire 10 feel anything but opti-
intstic over the outlook. The game will
re restored 10 its normal standard this
year, and II will remain there.
This court decision In only an In
cldent In the long life OF the game II
win neither retard nor limit develop
ment Of the sport. 1t Is the part OF
baseball that Is played elsewhere than
on the field that is touched by this rul-
ing, and not the part which Is presented
~ the ball park. To that part we will
direct our attention. and will leave 10
the courts and the lawyers the other