The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-02

attorney NJ. II. Boutelle and l.. A. Lydiard
returned from Chicago this morning. Mr. Lyd-
lard declined to discuss the affair for publication
Just now, but Mr.. Boutell made the following
statement: =
The sensational reports from chicag 60 have
served to place the local management in an
ambiguous light and 1t is due to them as we'll
as the public which has taken a deep interest
In this affair that a clear statement should be
made.
Following the Columbus game Of July is, in
which the conduct of Umpire Owens was SUBJ
jected to serious criticism, it will be recalled
that ugly rumors were flying about. The persis-
tency OF these rumors seemed to Justify 1nvesti-
cation by the local management and the inter-
ests of the public which had Loyalty supported
the team equally demanded this course. If the
rumors had any foundation, 1t self-evident
that they must be run down amongst the class
in the community which would be most likely to
be engaged in gambling jobbery on the smaller
scale. The management placed the Investigation
| In the hands of a man whom they believed
could trace the matter if it susceptible Of
being traced at all.
"1n the early stages Of the investigation re-
ports were brought to the management which, to
Say the least, were both significant and suspi-
I cious. A few days later the man engaged in
| looking the matter up reported that he had tan
gible evidence of tn facts in the shape Of three
men who were in touch with the deal and who
were prepared to make affidavit oral state
ments of the facts at any time place the
management might desire.
Men Were Found. .
"secretary Lydiard, on receiving this infor-
nation, Immediately directed that the parties
| be taken before myself one Of the counsel
| Of the local organization and shortly after in
| structed by phone that witnesses would be
| brought to my office whose affdavits he wished
prepared
1.-The sworn statements thus procured ap.
peared to fully confirm the more less popu-
| lar impression and the management had not the
slightest reason to assume that the parties max
ing these statements under oath were giving
any thing except the actual facts. .5-r<=.5
~ "When these statements were obtained, the
management followed out seemingly, the only
appropriate course under the circumstances OF
placing the information thus obtained in the
hands of the national commission well as OF
the president Of the American association. Nc
! charges were preferred, 30 far as am advised
and the sole action Of the local management
was confined to placing the information II
had obtained In the hands Of the proper authori
ties for such action as they might be advised
"It was reported shortly in the press tha
President O'Brien would call a meeting of the
directors to Investigate the matter at Chicago
on Thursday of this week. Instead of this,
notice was received on Monday from President
O'Brien, stating that the meeting had beer
called to be held at Chicago on the following
day, and that the Minneapolis management wal
directed to procure the attendance of the par
ties making these statements at that time.
Time Too Short. F.
y "This last was impossible for the management
|
but make up in the limited time at their dis
posal the fullest statement possible Of the en-
tire case which the local> organization though
the directors of the association should consider
1.-THE case thus suggested included the entir
occurrences surrounding the sending of Umpir
Owens to this city at the opening Columbu
game. the matters which transpired at tina
game, of which the public are fully appraised
the action of Owens in reporting five players q
the Minneapolis team on the night Of July 1e
followed by the unusual fines imposed on thes
players as we'll as the suspension of two %
them by President OBrien, and the latter
drastic course in refusing to come to the oft
of Minneapolis to make personal investigate
of the case, and his action on the unsupporte
statement Of Owens alone. =
'"These matters were embodied IN the affidavit
Of large number Of prominent businhs
men, and were supplemented by other afridava
tending to disclose personal animus and hostilft
upon the part of Umpire Owens toward the Mi
neapolis team. Ms 8
ION the day appointed for the meeting thei
were present in Chicago Directors Bryce
Columbus, Lennon Of st. Paul. Watkins Of Il
dianapolis and Havenor of Milwaukee,, the la
ter by proxy held by President O'Brien IT
local management stated to the directors thu
If investigation by oral testimony was to
taken more time should be granted and II
meeting be adjourned preferably to the city
st. Paul, where the testimony the local maj
agement desired to present was more readi
accessible. This request was refused, but Il
meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, Aug. !,
await the arrival of Director Tebeau Of Loui
Vile.
Requests Denied.
''When the meeting convened the Minneapol
management, thru their representative, stat,
= that they would decline to act in the capacf
Of prosecutors of any charges made against u
.8 pire Owens; that they had simply presented
formation obtained by them, and II any inve
tigation or prosecution was to be had the go
erning body Of the association and not the loc
management were the proper parties to dire
any such Investigation. They further redasst