Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-09
Judge Landis' Opinion In
Baseball Controversy
In, re EASTON (MARYLAND) EAS-
TERN SHORE LEAGUE FRAN
CHISE AND PLAYERS.

In-re EASTON (MARYLAND) EAS-
TERN SHORE LEAGUE FRAN
CHISE AND PLAYERS.
The Eastern Shore League was re-
organized IN 1887. Ernest G. Landgraf
and George Jacobs participated as
Easton representatives and were a.
warded the Easton franchise (as was
understood" the league having no
record of formal award). On June
10, 1887, Jacobs notified the league
president that Landgraf ''has resign
ed as President of the Easton Base
ball Club. No mention was made of
any transfer or disposition of his
understood" interest in the franchise.
The club operating with Jacobs "act-
ing president" had poor attendance
IN 1887. This was ascribed to un-
satisfactory park facilities. The Eas-
ton community desired to retain base
ball. Representative citizens and the
public authorities organized the Eas-
ton Athletic Association and pro-
vided satisfactory park facilities
(costing $11,4O0), which they leased
10 Jacobs on May 4, 1888. In this
lease Jacobs represented himself as
"owner'' of the Easton franchise and
eovenanted not to "sell, assign, trans
fer or otherwise dispose of the fran
chise without first giving the
Easton Athletic Association the right
to purchase the franchise with
in a period of ten days after the re-
ceipt of notice in writing from the
said Owner (Jacobs) that he intends
to dispose of said franchise, or that
said franchise is for sale, or that he
intends or desires to transfer the man.
agement of the club" The Easton
people had insisted upon this covenant
throughout their dealings with Jacobs
beginning at least as early as Septem-
ber 80; 1887, as essential for their pro-
lection in view of the commitments
and investment they were making in
assisting Jacobs.
Nevertheless, without the knowl-
edge of the Easton people, Jacobs, in
March, 1888, instituted negotiations
with Brooklyn which resulted in an
agreement dated April 80, 1888, where
By Jacobs, as "owner of the Easton
franchise and of the contracts of
certain baseball players sold to
Brooklyn call the right, title and in
terest in the franchise, contracts of
players and good will" and expressly
agreed that the Buyer (Brooklyn)
shall have the right at any time to
assign the contract or contracts of
any player or players or to give un-
conditional releases to any player or
players" Brooklyn, as part of the
deal gave Jacobs an option to "re-
purchase the said franchise and good
will, it being expressly understood
and agreed that such option to re-
purchase covers only the franchise
and good will, and does not include
the contracts of any players" Also,
oCpdIdIC OAOOhAy
LEASED, rented and hired unto the
lessee (Jacobs) the franchise, play
or contracts and good will of the Eas-
ton Club for the term of the 1898
season of Eastern Shore League"
These were secret documents, not
filed of record as the rules require
whenever sale of a players contract
or any form of so-called working
agreement is made. The Eastor
people (Easton Athletic Association)
the Eastern Shore League, the Ma
tional Association, the Commissioner
all were kept in ignorance of the sale
and lease of the franchise and player
contracts. Payments were sent direct
to Jacobs by Brooklyn instead o1
through official channels, resulting il
evasion of payments thereon due tt
the National Association. Player!
were transferred to and from Eastor
by Brooklyn in violation of the rules
One of them filed a claim for money
due him, and this resulted in the fact:
Of the Easton situation being uncov
Sred.
Brooklyn's representative, Vice