New Britain herald., 1920-11-29
LANDS TALKS OF
 BASEBALL REFORM
New Arbiter Will Do His Utmost
 to Eliminate Gambling

New York. Nov. 2s.-Judge Noun tain Landis. tho newly instituted court Of last resort for organized baseball who came to New York city to watch tho Army and Navy eIevens fight 1t out at the Polo grounds on Saturday, retreated to his previously prepared position in Chicago las. evening" Be- fore he departed, however, Judgo Landia talked with newspaper men and told them something of his mus ings concerning the steps to be taken for tho scrappine os any remaining baseball barnaclea and tho complete rehabilitation of the professional sport, which was badly bruised by recent revelations. but is now con- sidered convalescent.
 The Judge spoke generally rather than specifically of hlg plans. but his hearers gathered the cIear-cut impress sion that hia theories of baseball's need would be converted into deeds. He said that thus far he was feeling his way along. gathering into his hands the strands of the somewhat disheveled situation.
 Rid Game of Gambling.
 The keynote of the entire newly outlined plan said Judge Landis. lis to rid our great national game of tho sinister and oppressive burden of gambling. Untiring eHort will certain ly effect this and untiring effort is what wa propose to bring to bear. In this essential we hope and ask for the hearty cooperation or the fans as we'll as tha players.
 Tn speaking of the fans. I do not refer to such professional gamblers as chance to be also fans. l mean the great army of real lovers of baseball, l. xxf ,.,Ju port and confidence are utterly neces- sary to the success Of the game. ,
 'As for the gamblers. they will be atteded to with a firm hand. Action as drastic as may be necessary will b. taken to keep them away from the ball parks of all the leagues associated with us. and any other needed meas ures to prevent them from blighting tho game in any way will also be adopted.
 Against Small Wagers.
 In asking the fans for their aid in our cleansing campaign I wish to sug- gest that even such little wagers aa arc at times laid between friends, who would by no means be catalogued as gamblers. may we'll be eliminated. I feel that such episodes at the parks. especially at a time when baseball ia emerging from shadows cast by gambling. are to be adversely criti- cised. because of tho appearance and tho kssible impressions gleaned by thosd observing them.
 ''Gambling by professionals. as have stated, will be opIiterated as far aa tho plants of our clubs are con- cerned. I have found in my judicial career that, in general. the honest gambler is a mpth. Professional gamb- ling leads in its train about all the vicea and all the crimes that exist say this in spite of the fact that I have known of ono or two profession ala in thiai field who seemed to havo a genuine sense of honor.
 Having been and still remaining, a fan myself, I share the deep regret of all baseball enthuslasts over that world series of 1919. It will be our ef- fort to operate so thoroughly that fur ther infection will Do prevented and that the recollection of that unhappy episode will seem only bad dream.
 To Invoke state Laws.
 Concerning the players implicated. suffice it to say that there is absolutely no chance for any of them to creep back into organized baseball. They will be and will remain outlaws. While it is possible that no further fitting pun ishment will be found possible in cer- tain cases. 1t is sure that the guilt of some of them at least will be proven.
 Most of the States already have anti gambling statutes, Of greater or less rigor. in effect. T'hese will be in voked wherever needed to help us in our campaign. In other states, not pro- yided with such laws an effort win be made where it seema necessary to