Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-12
Try to Bride Umpires.


Two umpires of the National League
William J. Klein. whose home is IN tins
city, and j. H. tombstone who resides in
Newark, y. J.-announced to Harry C.
PuIliam. president of the National
League by signed statements that an Ell
fort had been made to bride them with
respect to their duties in the contest
which was PLAYED in this city between
Chicago and New York October OF
this year.
The National League, after much de-
liberation decided yesterday afternoon
10 MAKE the matter public. owners OF all
the clubs which were represented were
careful to make il very emphatic that the
alleged bribers In no manner con-
nected with organized base ball. but ,hey
declined absolutely to name any man or
men who may have been connected with
the attempted bribery. and they refused
20 state the nature OF the attempted brib-
cry. whether on behalf Of the Chicago
club Or the New York club.
Official Statement.
The official declaration from the league
owners. after the preamble. which merely
cites the attempt at bribery AS related by
The umpires reads as follows:
In one of these statements tby the UNI
pirel the name of the person who ap-
preached the umpire was given, well as
the names of persons whom he claimed To
represent In the other statement the
names OF the persons who approached the
umpire were not given. this umpire stat
ing that they We're strangers TO him.
I'VE are of the opinion that a most
thorough and searching investigation Oh
this entire matter should be made in order
to maintain the high standard and nom
esty of the game throughout the entire
country, and if possible to punish all per-
sons connected with this disreputaole
proceeding.
ITO make it such an investigation as. the
undersigned desire we deem 1t unW1se 10
give out any names of persons claimed
to have been connected with this matter,
as We have grave doubts as TO the truth
of certain statements alleged by the per-
son who approached one OF the umplres'
and 1t is for that reason as wei as nay,
ing in mind the proper punishment of all
guilty parties, that all names are With
held for the present.
I'VE desire, however. to state that none
OF the persons whose names are withheld
at this time arc in any way connected
with organized base ball.
We desire also at this time to COM
mend the action of tie umpireS, MeSsfs.
KLEIN and tombstone, in absolutely refuS-
ing to become parties to this contemplate
act, and thus by their actions again show
ing to the American public the honesty
and integrity of our national game.
And with the thought of always main
tanning the same throughout the entire
pointed committee, consisting Of john
T. Brush lchairnan). Charles Fl. Eboets.
August Hermann and Harry {. Puillaill.
to make a most thorough investigation OF
this matter. and with instructions TO re-
port thereon at as early period as posi-
BILE, and with authority to employ specia!
counsel and to present the matter to the
district attorney of this county IL. AFTER
such an investigation. it is deemed adj
visable''
Signed by all the National League presi-
dents.
Will $50 to the Bottom"
Charles II. Ebbets. owner of the Brook
lyn club. said after the meeting was COM
pleted that the leagues general declara-
ton covered the subject fully. There is
nothing to add to it, lie remarked more
than we have said until We are able to
probe the matter fully. 1t will be abso-
luteiy out of the question to mention a
name in connection with it until we have
gone to the bottom of the subject.
1t was suggested by some that ii might
have been we'll to have gone to the
bottom of the subject before placing the
matter before the public. bat there seemed
10 be an impression that ii would be bet
ter to announce certain OF the details in
possession of the owners of the league.
After the owners had adjourned for the
winter Mike" Reagan of Boston. better
known as the star rOoter. said he had
heard a story somewhat similar six weeks
ago. thereby beating the National League
by just that interval of time.
Clark Griffith. who had been manager
of the lfighlanders this year until the
middle Of the season. signed 4 contract
yesterday afternoon to manage the Gin
cinnati team FOR year. Griffith has been
long time in making up his mind. but
has finally decided TO 90 to the Ohio city
for one season at least. When he found
that the contract would not call for more
than $3.50 for the season he decided that
one year would be enough. If there had
bcen a larger sum offered il is probable
that he would have signed long-term
contract.
Notes.
Griffith and Sta!iings got together yes
terday afternoon and talked over spring
training dates. AS the Yankees will
ne al Macon 1t is more than like'y that
SlallinES will try conclusions with Crit
fths Reds {. both Macon and Atlanta
next spring.
Jack Dunn stated yesterday that he
would under no consideration accept the
Dodger berth. When told of this Ebbets
said Dunn would have to DO as he was
told. A dicker between Ebbets and Han
Ion is not Out of the question. though
EoDetS says lie Will HanO!c the cluD MINI
self until New Year.
Most of the American League magnates
have departed. Jimmy McAleer of the
st. Louis Browns ms alone to have
the happy wizard faculty of getting just
What he wants every time ne goes after
It. The other managers are wondering
how he ever got Lou Criger out of John
Taylor for Spencer.
Stallings has been having the time of
his life in trying To effect a few deals
this week Several clubs are hotfoot
after Elberfed and Moriarty, but none is
willing 20 give up anything but expert
nents for them Hughie Jennings is
hopeful of landing Moriarty to ho'd down
third base for the champion Tigers. Stall
ings will get either Mullin or Davy Jones
il Detroit gets the infielder.
Jimmy McAleer Is nobody'S fool He
gave New York an aWfully clever trim
ming year ago. The Yankees got one
good man in Hemphill. but Fred Glade
all in and no one knew II better than
McAleer. Glade writes from Nebraska
that he is feeling better than at any time
within the past five years. The season :
rest has entirely cured him of his stonl-
ach trouble. and he will report to Stall
ings in the spring feeling himself once
more.
Chubby Charlie Mummy nresdent nj