Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-07
Final Report Is Filed by
Chicago Investigators of
Fixing" Charges.
ALSO SOUGHT TESTIMONY
ON GAMBLING IN GENERAL
Findings Take Rap at Nation
ally Operated Pools. Making
Fabulous Profits.
HONEST PLAYERS LAuDED
l'astimc Demands Men Of Integrity
md Standing-Is Index to
Character.

CHICAGO. Nov. G.-The special
brand jury investigating baseball
returned this morning It's final re-
bort In which It states that while
evidence found tina, some games
were thrown by players. the prac-
ticc was not general and tho lead
ers in organized baseball may be
relied upon TO keep the game above
suspicion"
While the alleged liking" of tho
1913 worlds series by bribing Of
Chicago White Sox players to lay
down." was the principal subject UNI
der inquiry. the jury also sought
testimony on baseball gambling in
general and the operations OF base
ball po0ls.
Recommendations for the benefit
OF the game are included in the re-
port. Il Is understood.
Text ot Report.
The grand jurys repor, says. in
part:
considering the magnitude OF the
enterprise and the grca, number OF
ball players engaged. we believe n
players have been d!shoncst-we are
Hratihed 10 And players who i'm
,nedia;e.y reported 10 their mana
gers the suggestions OF liking and.
likewise. managers who Immediately
discontinued players who were i'm
plicatcd In attempts 10 corrupt the
game. The adoption OF this policy
as q fixed practice. no matter at
IA u.If
repetition OF the present trouble.
Evidence was given the Jury OF
an instance during 4 game played In
Chicago where certain player on
the New York National League base
ball club offered nnu,her player n
brihc II he would throw that mar
sicuiar game The player {, whom
the bride was offered Immediately
walked off the diamond refusing 10
continue pitching the game.
Action EnrnestIy Commended.
we earnestly commend the nc
tion of this player. and we like
wise commend the manager OF the
Sew York club for his action on the
player who offered the bribe. In
this particular case. and. notwith-
standing the reprehenslble conduct
OF the player who offered the brlbe,
no crime was committed under the
present Illinois law. Therefore, no
Indictment could be rendered by this
grand jury. ~ this point we call
attention to a law offered by Sena-
Tor Cummlns In May, 1919. making
the offering or accepting OF a bribe
p criminal offense. This grand jury
recommends the passage of such n
Federal statute.
The young player from the minor
league or from amateur baseball who
enters the major leagues should re-
niizc that he occupies a position of
: trust and has entered unon an hon
orable career. and he must. there
fore. conduct himself In manner
that Will make his occupation one
,ot integrity and high standing. II
the game is conducted on n basis that
inspires public confidence. young men
and boys Will be encouraged, to play
Inc game more and more, thereby
developing in the youth Of the coun-
try sound bodies and sound minds,
and what Is mere, sound morals and
better citizens.
The jury Is impressed with the
iact that baseball is an. index to
our national genius and character
The American principle of merit and
fair play must prevail. and 1t is all
important that the game be clean.
from the most humble player to the
highest dignitary. Baseball cnthusi-
asm and It's hold upon the public
interest must ultimately stand or
fall upon this count
To Grant N,tinnoY r.
baseball is more than n national
,game--it' is an American institution.
having It's place prominently and
significantly in the life OF the people.
In the deplcrable absence of mill
tary training in this country, base
ball and other games having team
play spirit OFFER the American youth
an agency for development that
would be entirely lacking were IL
relegated to the position to which
horse-racing and boxing have fallen.
Tho national game promotes respect
Tor proper authority, sclf-confldencc.
fair-mindedness, quick judgment and
!sclf-ccntrol.
The Jury thinks ii advisable to
emphasize in this report the remorsc
and self-contempt felt by the bribe-
taking players appearing before the
grand jury. Their testimony In this
connection was entirely voluntary
and showed how cheap and petty eacn
player felt and how their loss Of self
respect was IN ,nowise compensated
py the sums that were accepted"
Touchtng on baseball pools. the
rnert said thousands OF persons arc
iitaeced every season OF hundreds OF
thousands OF dollars each week ana
sshat the pools are, almost without
exception, conducted by Irresponsible
CONTINUED on Eighth Pago.5
81 ~ ~. 80 -