The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-28
BY O'LouahIIn.

oy ~ AOu9N ..E .
Without attempting to pass upon the truth
OF the charges against Clarence Owens, one Is
constrained to wonder at the attitude taken BY
Joe D. O'Brien president Of the league. II he
was quoted correctly this morning, his state
ment Is funny one.'' aa. ~
,O'Brien is unquestionably right in supporting
his umpires, as such policy is necessary in
baseball, but when such serious charges are fled
against an umpire it behooves the president Of
League to move quickly and subject his APP
pontee to just as rigid investigation as he
would player against whom, similar charges
had been made. a4,z. .-.- .ea.. .. Z.
oBrien's talk that he would not listen to the
evidence of gamblers''--if he ever made such
a remark--sounds childish. The evidence in such
case could come from no other source. In
law, such evidence would 60 the best evil
dence ava1lavle. In questions of gambling the
evidence must necessarily be given by gam
blers. If the case concerned the turf, it would
have to come from jockeys, bookmakers and
trainers. In fact, the truth about gambling can
only be ascertained from gamblers
The three men who made the Davis anidavits
says they are willing to go before any tribunal
and make the same statements which they en-
bodied In the afidav1ts furnished Lydiard. It
Is hard to see just how the president Of the
league can ignore such proof. ...t
President Bryce is quoted today saying
that he thinks mistake has been made In re-
ferring the matter to the national commission
1t may have been mistake, but 1t was the
wish to get the matter before the highest court
in no way concerned in the fractional disputes
Of the American association. II it was a mis-
take it was one which can be rectifed very
easily. ~s- 49,. ...s ~@asec - .. 81. =.
The charges against Owens are of too serious
nature to be mixed with the past troubles
Of the league. They have nothing to do with
it, and any attempt to make IT appear that this
is the case is without justification. If Owens
has been gambling on games it Is to the best
interests of the league to find it out at once.
If he Is innocent he will have little trouble
in proving it. It is matter which Is of i'm
portance to every clubowner In the league, no
matter to what organization or faction he may
belong. \. s-as-- e:t; Ia - IT. <;52EE
For once Kelley is not the storm center. This
affair was handled by Mr.. Lydiard alone and
without any assistance from the president
Kelley is responsible will fall fat when the
investigation starts .s -- -
Indianapolis, IND, July 2s.-President j. D..
O'Brien, in interview last night on the
charges which have been formally prepared
against Umpire Owens by the secretary OF the
Minneapolis ball club, that Owens had placed
money up on the result of the game between
the mil1ers and the Columbus team, and was
by contributing to the victory Of the champs
declared that he considered the whole business
pure rot. .,-s'- n 49,
Mr.. o'Brien said the Minneapolis team had
been after Umpire Owens all season, and the
present attack IS but continuance Of its at
tempt to get him thrown out of the association
employ. 49, s-.-.
'T win pay no attention to the charges until
they are laid before me formally. The Mime
apons club will be forced to prove all its
charges, and I think this will be impossible''
Mr.. -O'Br1en added further that he would