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Show OPPlSSiSlT MINORJ.EAGIJES Organized Baseball Powers in Almost Absolute Control National Commission a Trust. j LONG FED ARGUMENT j Close Views of Celebrities I Given in Argument Be-for Be-for the Court. Chicago, Jan. 20 The powers that control organized baseball, or at least are said io control It. were described as oppressors of minor leagues and ball players by Keene Addington. chief of counsel for the Federal league, in his opening address today in the antitrust suit against the national na-tional commission, the American league and the National league. Addington Ad-dington riled features of the national agreement, decisions of the national commission and general practices of baseball authorities to show that the game is governed by a group having almost absolute power, with authority to make laws, judge of infractions of I the laws and Impose penalties for in- fractions Addlngton had not finished his (opening argument when eourt adjourned ad-journed and it was declared the case probably would Inst well into next week. The first session attracted a large number of baseball followers, and though the arguments, involving much legal matter, had no thrills for tbeni they were recompensed partly by close views of Tlebritips. Among the latter were presidents of both the big defendant leagues the chairman of the national ronimhr:, the leaders lead-ers of the Federals and a score or more o! magnates and players of note. At the afternoon session, Addington devoted a large portion of his address to an attack on the waiver and draft rules and practices. He declared the former vested control of the player not alone in the club he serves, but also In other clubs. His chance of becoming a free agent Is slight, according ac-cording to Addington, since it requires re-quires action of many different entities. enti-ties. Addington charges that the waiver method issued as a means of humiliating or disciplining a player, and then brought in the charge made in an affidavit by Mordeeai Brown that when President Murphy of the Chicago Nationals sold him to Louisville Louis-ville it was with the agreement that Brown never would be allowed again to join the majors |