Show BASE A ATTACKED IT AS O Y BY BAL Suit Ito to Recover From Organized Leagues Opens in W Washington as WASHINGTON March Pro baseball as organized since 1903 was attacked as an absolute monopoly and a violation ot of the Sherman antitrust act by counsel for forthe forthe the Baltimore Federal league club In beginning the clubs club's suit for damages against National and American Amerl- Amerl I can league lea clubs and certain officials lof the defunct Federal league The case is be being heard ea by a in t the he hea supreme e e court r of the District ri of Columbia Combinations Combination among the various leagues and clubs described as organized or- or baseball asserted m L. L Marbury attorney for the prosecution Is and has been since 1903 an absolute absolute lute and complete monopoly and the maintenance thereof Is in violation on of the Sherman Shelman antitrust law Conduct ot of organized baseball under regulations regulations regula- regula of the national commission constitutes constitutes con con- a monopolization of trade and COmmerce In basebalL CHARGES BETRAYAL I Mr Marbury contended that after Investing more than In equipment equipment equip equip- I ment the stockholders of the clUb had been betrayed by three officials of- of of the former Federal league These officials he named as James A. A i Gilmore president ot of the Federal league Charles rles E. E president president dent of the Chicago Federal league club and Harry Sinclair president of the leagues league's club all of whom are defendants in the case Although officials of the Baltimore club were present at the meeting in Cincinnati In December 1916 1915 when the peace pact with the National and Amerl American all leagues was signed Mr Marbury contended that the I agreement entered into vas not sanctioned sanctioned sanc- sanc by the club representatives representatives lie Ie also that In the final settlement an all f the Federal league clubs received more favorable consideration from the that old leagues than did the Baltimore BAL LOST OO The total amount lost ry y the Baltimore Baltimore Balti- Balti more club he said was out ut and the suit for tor was brought broughton on the grounds that tr IE damages could be claimed for t vio io tion of the Sherman antitrust act The witness app appe ring yesterday yester- yester I day WaS L. L Edwin Gol man a dl- dl I rector of Baltimore club He was wason on the stand only a shot time and will resume his testimony toda today Baseball officials pres present nt at at atthe the trial included Ban Johnsof president ot of the American league John A. A Heydler president of th National league and August lIe nn chairman chair chair- man o of the national i Court rt officials s said ir that the h i probably would continue at le least st two weeks and possibly a month |