South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-06
CHASE CLEARED
OF ALL CHARGES
PreS't HeydIer States That
MathewSon'S Complaint
Was Not Specific.

NEW YORK, Feb. 6.-Hal Chase,
stormy petrol of baseball, was clear
ed today of the charge of throwing"
games. preferred against him by the
Cincinnati club. TIE was declared
mot guilty" by President John A.
Heydler. of the National league, who
acted as judge, after a weeks study
of the evidence for and against him
ut is no where established that
the accused was interested In any
pool or wager that caused any game
to result otherwise than on it's mer-
it's" said Heydler in his decision.
The charges. filed by officers OF
the Cincinnati club. including Man
ager Christy Mathewson. were in
blanket form. alleging violation of
section 40 OF the league constitution,
which reads:
ANY person who shall be proven
guilty Of offering. agreeing. conspir-
ing or attempting to cause any game
of ball to result otherwise than on
its merits under the playing rules
shall be forever disqualified by the
president of the league from acting
rs umpire, manager or player or in
any other capacity in any game of
hall participated in by a league
club"
Complaints Are General.
President Heydler stated in a gen
eral way that the actual charges
involving Chase implied that he had
bet on games. IN speaking Of the
case after he had read his formal
finding ne said that Manager Math-
ewson's affidavit was a more or less
general complaint against Chase's
conduct and talk upon the ball field
but there was little which was spe-
cific in its relation to the real
charge upon which the trial was
based
The testimony showed" said
Heydler, that Chase acted in a fool
ish and careless manner. both on
the field and among the players. and
that the club was justified in bring
ing charges in view of the many ru-
mors which arose from the loose
talk Of its first baseman. Chase did
not take his work seriously and was
entirely TO blame for the position
in which he found himself There
was no proof, however. that he in
tentionally violated or attempted to
violate the rules in relation to tam
pering with players or in any way
endeavored TO secure desired results
in the outcome Of games.
Chase Bets Twice.
Chase testified that he had bet
on the result of a baseball game
with another player only twice in
his professional career. The first
case was many seasons ago when
he was a spectator at a National
league contest while n member Of
an American league team. The 9TH
er wager was made in a post-season
series of 1917. where he bet on his
own club 10 win a game.
II do not know where Chase will
play during the coming season, but
wish to say now that he has been
proved not guilty of the charges
I hope the fans and others will give
him a fair chance TO overcome the
the unpleasant impression which has
been created. I feel sure that he
realizes the position in which his
foolish talk and actions have placed
him and will endeavor TO atone by
taking his work seriously and play
ing the brilliant ball Of which he is
capable"
Refuses TO Talk.
Chase refused TO talk when IN
formed OF the verdict, but his law
vers issued a statement for him
which declared that legal action
would be continued TO obtain full
redress" from the Cincinnati club,
which caused his suspension with
out cause" and held up the payment
OF his salary.
President Heydler said in his find
ings that "the interests of the pub
lie and the game of baseball are far
more important than the fate or
any individual" He declared he
would protect those interests mo
matter what the effect on players
or clubs"
Hevdler also served warning that
anv National league player who bets
on a game, either for or against
his own team or whether or not he
plavs in the game will be expelled