Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-12
IMPROPER INFLUENCE ATTEMPTED
Persons Interested in Outcome Of
Game Between Chieaso-New York
Clubs on October 10. Approached
Umpires-ln One Case Names Of
Tempters Are Given.
(By Associated Press.)

NEW YORK, Dec. 11.-Eyen more
sensational than the tumultuous close
of the recent National League play
ing season were the closing hours or
the leagues annual meeting here 'o-
day. when charges OF attempted brib-
cry of the umpires who Officiated a;
The game that decided the champion
ship Of 1908 between New York ana
Chicago at the Polo Grounds October
Is, were sprung and the magnates ar
pointed a committee TO probe them,
even intimating that criminal prose
cutions might follow the investiga,-
ing committees report.
Sensation Sprung.
The Statement; OF the leagues rep
lrescntatives as given out at the close
of the session is as follows:
When the National League had
apparently transacted all Of its busl-
ness at its meeting December 10.
1908 and after the league had receiv-
ed an official call from the represen-
tatives of the American League. MI.
Pul!iam called attention to a mat
ter which the undersigned consider
ed not only OF the utmost importance
to the league, but to organized base
ball as we'll He stated that Messrs-
KLEIN and tombstone. the umpires who
iofficiated at the game, played between
the New York and the Chicago clubs
a, the Polo Grounds on October Is.
1908, had submitted to him certain
bat -
been made to bride them with res
pect to their duties pertaining TO
thai contest.
Some Names Given.
In one of these statements the
name of the person who approached
the umcirc was given, as well as tn"
names of persons who he claimed
70 represent. In the other statement
the names of the persons who APP
preached the umpire were not gwen
this umpire stating that they were
strangers TO him.
We are of the opinion that 4
most thorough and searching inves-
tigation of this entire matter should
! be made. in order TO maintain the
high standard of honesty OF the gam"
throughout the entire country. ana
il possible. to punish all persons c"H-
nectei with this disreputable pro
!Ceeding.
TO make such an investigation as
the undersigned desire. we deem II I'M
wise to give out any names CT per
sons claimed to have been connected
with this matter as we have grave
doubts as to the truths OF certain
statements alleged by the person VINO
approached one OF the umrircs: ana
| il is for that reason as well as nav
ing in mind the proper punishmeni q
all guilty parties that all names b"
wit hhcld for the present.
I'VE desire. however. TO stat" tina
none OF the persons whose names ar"
withheld al this time are in any way
connected with organized baseball.
We desire also al his time 10
lcommend the actions Of the umpires.
Mcssrs Klein and Johns:Cnc in absoiu-
,tely refusing to become parties =" this
Iccntemptible ac: and thus by their
actions again showing to III" AmerI-
can public the honesty and in'e2ri
Of our national game.
And with the though of always
maintaining the same throughout the
country. the national League has ap-
/ " ;rtcd committee consisting "t
Ncssrg. John T. Brush. Chairman
Charles ". Ebbirts. August Hermann
! and Harry c. PulIiam 10 max" most
thorough Investigation Of this matter
and with instructions 10 report there,
on al As carly period a. possible
and with au'hcr.'y 20 employ special
counsel and 10 present IN" matter 10
the disfric' attorney Of this country.
II. after such an Investigation 1t =
deemed advisable.
(Signe!,
| GEORGE y IDVEY
CHARLES r. EBBITTS
CHARLES ". MURPHY
AUGUST HERMANN.
JOHN r. BRUSH
WILLIAM J. SHETTSIiNE