Evening star., 1953-02-03
| NFL Antitrust Suit
PIods Into ID Week.;
Exhibits PiIing Up
Rx the A.soeiatsd Pres,

f11A, req. 5. -
Like the mills Of the gods, the
processes Of law grind slowly
and the Governments antitrust
suit against the National Foot
ball League is no exception.
The case entered it's second
week yesterday and the order of
the day was statistics, documents
and objections. About 800 Gov
ernment exhibits were entered
amid the hustle and hustle of
lawyers Of both sides who were
constantly in and out Of the
Federal courtroom.
The point being contested is
whether the NFL illegally re-
stricts broadcasts and telecasts
of professional football games.
The Government contends the
NFL does and is guilty of vio-
lating the Sherman antitrust
law. The league just as strongly
says it doesn't.
Minutes from various NFL
meetings were read into the rec
ord yesterday by Walter D. Muir
ply, Government attorney,
who told Judge Allan K. Grim
that the minutes would prove
the relationship of club execu-
tives, teams and the commits
sioner's Office in this alleged con-
spiracy.
Testimony on Audiences.
The only witnesses appearing
yesterday testified on the num-
ber of TV sets and radios in
homes and audience reaction.
They were William F. Long of
the Radio and Television Manu-
facturers Association, and David
Klein of The Pulse, Inc.
Bert Bell, NFL commissioner
won't be called to the stand un-
til next week, according to Gov
ernment attorneys. Gordon Nc
Lennon of Dallas, Tex, another
witness, might be called within a
few days, they added.
Minutes read from one of the
leagues meetings indicated that
which Liberty Broadcasting Co.
founded by McLennon, was once
barred by Bell from broadcast
ing pro games.
The minutes quoted Bell as
saying:
II cannot approve any con-
tract (radio or television) in
which Liberty Broadcasting Co.,
is involved. Liberty violated the
NFL constitution by broadcast
ing games from Cleveland and
Pittsburgh"
The Texan currently has a suit
pending against major league
baseball for allegedly preventing
him from broadcasting major
league games.
Marshall's Remark Cited.
George Preston Marshall, own
er of the Washington Redskins,
was quoted in another excerpt
from the 1850 meetings. say
ing that TV and radio rights
should not be sold in opposition
to sponsors.
This remark by Marshall was
pointed up by the Government
in support Of it's contention that
radio and TV territories are be-
ing protected for clubs and spon-
sors by the league.
The fact that the Los An
geles Rams voted against the
leagues TV and radio policy at
the annual meeting in New York
last year was brought out in an
other excerpt from the minutes.
Edwin w. Pauley, a Rams
partner, claims he was not rsr-
sonally involved in the alleged
conspiracy and has already filed
an intervening petition to that
effect.
A defense objection to enter
ing the minutes into the record
was answered by Murphy. who
said: II am, reading these min
utes to show who made various
motions. who seconded these mo-
tions, and what the final vote
was on radio and TV matters"
Article 10, which describes the
leagues radio and TV policy,
plus the minutes, Murphy said,
would link all club officials and
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