The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-07
BASEBALL UPHELD
IN JURY'S REPORT
Declares Americas National
Game Will Survive
Scandals.

CHICAGO. Nov 6.-The special Grand
Jury investigating baseball returned this
morning its final report. in which it
stated that while evidence has been
found that some games were thrown by
players, the practice was not general
and the leaders in organized baseball
may be relied upon to keep the game
above suspicion"
The Grand Jury's report says. In part:
considering the magnitude OF the en-
terprise and the great number of ball
players engaged. we believe a compare
lively small number OF the players have
been dishonest. We are gratif1ed to find
players who Immediately reported to
their managers the suggestions Of fix
ing and. likewise, managers who irnme-
diately discontinued players who were
implicated in attempts to corrupt the
game. The adoption OF this policy as q
fixed practice, no matter at what cost,
will make impossible a repetition OF the
present trouble.
Evidence was given the jury OF an In
stance during game played In Chicago
where certain player on tho New
York National League baseball club Of
fered another player a bride IL he would
throw that particular game. The player
to whom the bride was offered imrned-
dloly Wdlheu OH the Qlf mona, TeluSlUS
to continue pitching the game.
McGraw Comm ended.
1--WE earnestly commend the action Of
this player. and we likewise commend
the manager of the New York club for
his action on the following day in sus-
pending the player who offered the
bribe. In this particular case, and not
withdrawing the reprehensible conduct
of the player who offered the bride. no
crime was committed under the present
Illinois law. Therefore. no Indictment
could be rendered by this Grand Jury.
At this point we call attention to a law
offered by Senator Cummings in May.
1919, making the offering or accepting
of a bride a criminal offence. This
Grand Jury recommends the passage OF
such a Federal statute.
THE young player from the minor
league or from amateur baseball who
enters tho major leagues should realize
that he occupies a position Of trust and
has entered upon an honorable career.
and he must therefore conduct himself
in a manner that will make his occupa-
ton one of integrity and high standing.
IL the game is conducted on a basis that
inspires public confidence, young men
and boys will be encouraged to play the
game more and more, thereby develop
ing In the youth OF the country sound
more. sound morals and better citizeps.
1.-THE jury is impressed with the fact
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. Base
ball enthusiasm and it's hold upon the
public interest must ultimately stand or
fall upon this count
An American Ipstitution.
Baseball is more than a national
game; il is an American institution,
having its place prominently and sig
nificantly in the life Of the people. In
the deplorable absence OF military train
ing in this country, baseball and other
games having team play spirit offer
the American youth an agency for de-
velopment that would be entirely Lack
ing were II relegated to the position TO
which horse racing and boxing have
fallen. The national game promotes re-
spect for proper authority. self-confi-
dence, fair nindedness, quick Judgment
and self-control.
"The jury thinks II advisable to en-
phasize in this report the remorse and
sclf-contempt felt by the bribe-taking
players appearing before the Grand
Jury. Their testimony In this conneo-
ton was entirely voluntary and showed
how cheap and petty each player fett
and how their loss of self-respect was
In no wise compensated by the sums
that were accepted"
Touching on baseball pools. tho re-
port says thousands of persons are
fleeced every season OF hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars each week and that
'tho pools are. almost without excep-
ton. conducted by irresponsible persons
who operate without definite system and
without any regularity OF practice
There are 1852 chances in a sea-
sons three league pool. the report says,
selling at 81 chance. Out of the $780,
572 collected the pool pays to the buyers
only $4,000 in prizes. Even at this
enormous profit. the Grand Jury said.
at appears from the evidence that pool
owners refuse even 10 pay oil the prizes
won by individuals"