Pennsylvania Court Upholds Reserve Clause, Lajoie Out of Action
In a reversal of the lower court’s decision, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania upheld the reserve clause in the case of Lajoie versus the Philadelphia Phillies on April 21. The court concluded that “"the services of the defendant are of such a unique character, and display such a special knowledge, skill and ability as renders them of peculiar value to the plaintiff. The action of the defendant in violating his contract is a breach of good faith…Substantial justice between the parties requires that the court should restrain the defendant from playing for any other Club during the term of his contract with the plaintiff."
After receiving a telegram of the decision on Opening Day, Cornelius Mack of the Athletics removed Lajoie from the lineup. It is not known how long the star will be out of action until an appeal is made. That same day, April 23, the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia issued a restraining order against the National League from interfering with its players received from Philadelphia (Delahanty,
Orth, Wolverton and Townsend). Lawyers for the Cardinals of St. Louis also began proceedings to restrain its players from playing for the rival Browns.
In other news, the American League outdraws the Nationals at the box office in the contested cities of Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. Early reports indicate that attendance figures exceed by several thousand in some select games.