Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-16

tnat there were no formal charge against
me. and that If l was willing the whole
case would be dropped. l told Hermann
that in view of the many stories in the
newspapers to the effect that l had played
dishonest base ball in Pittsburg on July
80. and also in Chicago in the fall of 1903,
l wished to have the matter thoroughly In
vestigated then and there; that was ready
to tell nothing but the truth in answer to
any questions and that l wished to be eX-
onerated in the absence of guilt. Then it
was that the board of directors began to
frame up case against me.
.Dreyfuss, who is ill in Pittsburg. was
called up on the long distance telephone by
Locke. his secretary, and the charges which
have been made public, were drawn, Locke
affixing his signature in behalf of the Pitts
burg club. Two lawyers from Pittsburg
presented about fifteen affidavits, a major
ity of them signed by women who attended
the ball the night before the game of July
80. to the effect that 1 was under the in
fluence of liquor and told several friends not
to bet on me when 1 pitched for st. Louis
against Pittsburg the next day. l had no
lawyer when appeared before the board of
directors, and when l asked to see the sig
natures on the affidavits one of the lawyers
declared that he could not disclose them
because he had agreed to keep them secret.
In order to make his promise good he pro-
ceeded to tear the signatures from six affi-
davits in my presence.
Evidence Was Flimsy.
There was not the slightest evidence to
show that l had acted in collision with
gamblers, and the only point made clear
was that had met a man named Dick Nc
Cormick, who is said to bet on the ball
games in Pttsburg, about five years ago.
An affidavit sent on by Robert Emslie, the
umpire of the game. to the effect that in his
opinion | had done my best was never in
troduced at all. But affidavits from every
member of the st. Louis club, except Beck
ley, were read, showing that l had played
rhe hest ball power, Grady, VINO
caught me, swore that he gave a signal for
each ball that 1 pitched and that l never
once shook my head Manager Nichols also
testified that 1 pitched well enough to win
with any kind of hitting behind me. l an
sWered all questions and was told that
the decision would be reserved.
About two weeks ago l received con-
tract for the coming season from the ST.
Louis club. It called for salary of 5000
less than l got last year. l sent it back to
MIR. Robinson. but, upon the advice of
lawyer in st. Louis, L had it returned to
me and signed it three days before l left
that city to attend this meeting. Mr.. Rob-
ison knew of the charges that had been
brought against me when signed the con-
tract yet he was willing to have me play
ball for him just the same. l lose 5000 by
this transaction alone. in addition to sew
eral hundred dollars in travelling expenses.
In regard to the charges made by Hart, l
want to say that Manager Selee of the Chi
cago Nationals begged me almost on his
knees to pitch the last game of the post
season series in Chicago in 1903. after had
told Hart that L would never pitch another
game for him. l have three affidavits in
this case two from policemen who state
that they heard me say | got $500 for los
ing Hart caused the whole gossip because
he sore at the inability of the Nationals
to beat the Americans in that series. l
want to have that case and the Pittsburg
case pushed to the limit.
Ward. after long conference with Tay-
lor early yesterday morning, proceeded to
no Victoria Hotel whpra q hoard q
rectors We're preparing to go into session
again, prior to reaching verdict When
Ward knocked on the door of the star
chamber Pulliam appeared and asked what
was wanted.
II have been retained by Taylor" said
the lawyer, and l wish to have a chance
to look over the evidence. He should have
been represented by counsel here yesterday
and has rights that must be protected
Lawyer Ward ON Hand.
Pulliam told Ward that he would see
about it, and the door was closed. The di-
rectors were quickly thrown into a panic
when they realized that they were likely
TO encounter legal proceedings. Ward then
made the situation even more interesting
by sending formal notice to the directors
that as Taylcrs lawyer, he demanded a
hearing. In less time than it takes to tell
IL the directors reached q decision eXoner-
ating the player in a half hearted way of
the charges of crookedncss. but filming him
$500 for misconduct which he had admitted
himself. Ward held another cOnfab with
Taylor. who said that he would pay the fine
under protest, and from present indications
an appeal will be taken to the national
commission.
Incidentally Ward will insist that the
commission take up the Hart charges
against Taylor. at once He says that the
members of the commission, Hermann,
Puiliam and Johnson. will be in town dur
ing the next few days, and that Taylor's
case must receive due consideration without
further delay. Johnson, the president of the
American League. arrived in New York last
night and will make another effort to have
the case taken up. Furthermore, the
American League Will ask that the case be
tried by the commission in open meeting.
Ward will ask that Hart take the stand for
a rigid croSS-eXaminatio ton.
The following delegates were present
when the National League convened: II. c.
Pulliam, president; A. Fl. Soden. Boston;
Fred Knowles, New York; C. H. Ebbets and
Edward Hanion. Brooklyn: William Shetts-
line and d. l.. Reeves. Philadelphia; w. H.
cinnati: James Hart. Chicago: Frank Rob-
ison, st. Louis. The subjects discussed
were the terms of the worlds champion
ship series to be played in the fall the ma
tional agreement and the schedule.
American League Starts Today.
The American League will convene at the
Bresin Hotel, New York. today. The minor
league proposition is one of the most i'm
rortant things to be considered. Pat Pow
ers is in the minority this proposition.
Griffith of Jersey City, Stallngs of Buffalo,
Hanlon of Baltimore and George Tebeau of
the American Association have combined
to aid the National League in besting the
American If the Nationals can fix up a
new league to act as the party of the first
part in a new national agreement you will
find that Ii will be composed OF Providence,
Jersey City. Buffalo and Baltimore In the