New-York tribune., 1920-04-01

Magee Letter
No 'Bomb,' Says
Pres. Heydler
Player Fails to Give Names
of Players Alleged to
Have Cambled on Games

The mysterious letter of Lee Magee-
or. rather, of his attorney-which had
been heralded as bomb" that would
tear organized baseball to bits, was re-
ceived by President ohm A. Heydler of
the National League yesterday, and al
though Mr.. Heydler does not publish
the communication IN full 1t appears
that no bomb" has been exploded.
According to the National League
players against whom Magee said he
was making charges Of gambling on the
outcome OF the games. On the othe r
hand. Mr.. Heydler states that the Magee
missive consists merely of claim that
the player was not a member OF che
J. Chicago club in proper standing IN
1919 and was released without charges
being brought against him.
Mr.. ueydlcr contends that the CON
tract Magec signed with Brooklyn for
1919 was regularly assigned TO Chicago
and that no further contract for 1919
with Chicago was required under base
ball practice The matter OF the release
Of Magee is one between him and the
Chicago club, is Mr.. Heydcr's conten-
tion.
The National League executive closed
his statement. which is addressed to
Robert s. Alcorn, attorney for Magee,
as follows:
"No attention Will be paid TO such
statements in the future. II YOU
have any evidence. or can point out
where or how it can be found. send
it 20 me- or give it out in the news
papers. if you prefer.
you will serve the public interest
and Will receive every possible CO
operation from me in any effort that
will uncover wrongdoing If any eX-
lists; but any attempt 10 make CAPT
tai Of your cause by referring to the
decided case of your former client
Will fail, unless your present client
has evidence to submit that was not
known to me at the time Of the Chase
hearing.
"Thc mailing of this letter has been
delayed to March 30 1t seemed i'm
possible that you would announce in
the press that you had sent me the
names Of four players against whom
YOU were making charges and not do
so. When your letter without names
and with mere repetition of mat
ters known to every one year ago,
arrived | deemed it possible that
you would. after giving the inter
view, live up to it and send me the
names and facts if you had any.
''No letter has been received from
you except that of March 26. 1920,
so l conclude that you have no
further facts to offer. If you have,
either send them TO me or give them
to the press, if you prefer that
method
CINCINNATI. March 31.--Lee Magee
professional ballpaver. in signed
statement issued today said President
John Heydler of the National League
makes d "wilful mlsstatement" when
he says that charges against the mag
mates have not been fled by Mage.
Magec demands that if Heydler has
any complaint against him charges be
preferred.
II am a professional ballplayer and
depend upon my salary for a living for
myself and family
You have barred me from major
league ball without any charges
against me and without granting me
/ hearing.
81 demand that if you have any com
plant against me that you prefer
charges in the manner provided by
your constitution and afford me an op-
portunity to defend myself under the
method therein contained
when you say that | have not filed
with you written charges against the
magnates you make a willfu mlsstate-
ment.'