New-York tribune., 1919-01-31
ileydler Hears
Chase Charges,
Holds Deciisiiola
Many Witnesses Testify in
Secret at Trial of the
Famous Baseball Player
By ". !. Macbeth

y
The second reel of the great Ma
tional, League thriller, Did He O. Did
He Not?' or Who Threw the Monkey
Wrench Into the Cincinnati Red Ma
chine" left the spectators at No. 8
West Fortieth Street chiefly concerned
with the safety Of their overcoats at
its termination abruptly at 4:43 yes
terday afternoon. The solution Of the
plot awaits she third and concluding
reel which Stage Manager Eeydler is
liable to pull any time between week
and q fortnight
This thriller, be it known, is the
trial OF first oaseman Hal Chase, of
Cincinnati, on charges preferred by
Chrlsty Mathewson, ex-manager Of the
KcdS, who was unable TO appear yes
terday IN person AGAINST the defendant
as Matty seems To be still in Fran
IN command cf his company in the G.
and Flame Department of the Uni
States Army. Matty ac lsed Chase of
indifferent play and OF having attempt
ed TO influence rival National League
players TO arrange things so that
championship contests might be de-
clded otherwise than On tteir merits.
His charge was supported by affidavit
and supported by the ailidaVits of a
number Of players Of his own and rival
teams
Many Witnesses Present
That il as much as could be learned
after waiting a perfectly good. sun
SHINY and salubrious afternoon in the
cramped ante-room Of the National
League headquarters where we're gath
cred together divers witnesses for the
prosecution and defence as we'll as the
hounds OF the press who could not be
trusted 10 look in at the "Arst run"
AS q matter Of fact most of this was
only hearsay. The plot in detail had
TO be- Dleced together through the frag-
montary admissions of the VIII asses
themselves, who were permitted 10 see
no more OF the reel than that which IN
cluded their personal stunts. The case
Was closed so far as taking evidenc,
was concerned. Bl- President John
A Heydlcr, Of the National League.
Who IS chief umpire decided to re-
serve his decision Until he had an oD
portunity TO study in detail the stem
oersphlc notes Of the testimony and
cross examinations.
nder these circumstances c ase
and his counsel. of course, wouid have
been very foolish TO talk. lndeea Hal
made his escape through the secret
passage down the hack stairs WI the
hounds Of the press W. ched the aro
course, Mr.. Heydler canld not eluc ate
further than to furnish the names of
counsel and witnesses Of the Interested
parties.
John Conway Tooie appeared as
counsel for Mr. Heyc.or and. according
to certain Of Mr.. Chase's character Wit
nesses, served as prosecuting attorney
on the side. Rudolph L. Cherure J.
Franklin Iausch and Harry Cheriet ap-
peared as counso for Chase Both
sides we're p.entifully supplied vlta
expert stsnograp Pliers.
Poll pcrrist A0sert
Earle (Greasy) Neale. the outfeider.
and pitchers Plmmy Ring ard Mike Re-
can, all of the Cincinnati team TO-
gether with John McGraw and all OF
whom had previously presented afida
vids answered the National League
Perritt. o. the Giant, who had sub
mitted an affidavit, wes prevented frQ
making the long trlp North beca sc
pressing business.
Norris Fellcr, Q. O. De Basse L.
Rich and Sid Mercer horned il. o II
torture room singiy as character WI
nesses for Chase.
Mr. Hevdler said that all those men
toned willingly agreed to he sworn
before their depositions We're taaen.
and that IS about all re did say. Or
no. He pulled the section OF the Ma
tional League constitution under whic
the Investigation was conducted arr
which reads as follows:
"Crookedness and Its Penalties
sec. 40 Any person Who shall be
proven guilty Of Offering, agreeing
conspiring or attempting TO ca SO
any game Of ball to rerult othcrN Sc
than on its merits under the playing
rules shall be forever disqual fed
hv the president cf the league from
acting as umpire, manager or player
or in any other capacity In any game
OF ball participated in b. ague
club
And that. ladies and gentlemen, te
inmates the second part Of the pauo
rama.