The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-02-15
Should Settle Beyond All
Cavil Whether Byrd Play
ed With Reading.
PRACTICAL METHOD
OF GETTING TRUTH
Visit TO Pennsylvania City Would
Soon Settle Controversy.
SchaefeT's Chance.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

When is the dispute about the eligi-
bIlity OF Curly Byrd. the Georgetown
pitcher, 20 be settled? And. Why not
settle It in the logical xay2
II Georgetown and the Amateur Ath-
1etic Union want 10 verify the charge
that he played with the Reading team
OF the Tri-State League n organized
baseball che place 70 get the facts IS
In Reading. Why not send q commits
sion 20 Reading and get the original
data2 The best evidence would be the
unsolicited identification or denial OF
Byrd's record by people who had no Ill
terror motive Such people would be
the casual fans and others not connect
ed with promoting athletics for their
own financial profit In every city there
are hundreds Of baseball followers who
know by sight every man that ever
played on the home team. Byrd IS aC-
cused OF having been somewhat OF a star
pitcher for Reading and, If he was. II
should be an extremely simple matter
20 ind any number Of persons who
would recognize Byrd or his photograph
Immediately and beyond all caviL
Wherefore, We humbly suggest that a
commission consisting OF a representa-
tive OF the Amateur Athletic Union ana
proceed 10 Reading with Byrd. but
seithout a brass band, and stroll around
town IN a casual wa among places
where fans most do COuEfeE ate- ana
zee whether the young man Is recOE-
nized Is the long lost pitcher IN ad-
ditiOn. OF course. the usual direct
sources Of Information. such as the ros-
ter OF the Reading ball club and the Of
fCIals Of the club and the newspaper
records, should also be consulted. Il
would not take a days time or twenty
i've dollars in money 10 solve the prob
lem once for all.
SO much has been made OF the Bryd
case that Georgetown owes It 70 herself
70 clear Il up. II viii hardly do TO sit
back and wait for the other fellows 10
begin on the proof. The university
might adopt that attitude and Byrd
might remain an amateur because Of the
Enwillilgness OF the witnesses who
might have the PROOF against his status
10 come Out IN the open with affidavfts
human beings about cutting into the
GIalrS OF other people when there is
nothing a. It Tor the cutter But, Il IS
pretty saIe 10 say that even II Byrd
wins his fight. the incident VIII leave
an unpleasant effect and VIII be the sub
gect OF dlSaSreeabie references for q
long time The case Of Crowley, the
pitcher OF the Indianapolis American
association club. who was runE in al
Georgetown, is still remembered with
Keen regret By the alumni for II put the
university in the position of having 10
apologize 10 Yale and Princeton
The action Of the directors OF the
nth Atlantic Association of the ANA
AeuE AJnlelc Union III Baltimore last
night, when they postponed the final
hearing OF The Byrd case until March =
leaves thar athlete still ineligible Id
MO lH Tsl~ ---
uE March .. This viii allow plenty OF
tine Tor an investigation such as has
been suggested herein, and 70 IS due an
rvu-erueI 10 make II. for the baseball
season VIII soon U0eu. ana Byrd is ~
iected 90 be the star pitcher for TIE
University.