Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-09-24
BASEBALL GAME
INVESTIGATION
CLEVELAND
Charged That Gamblers
Bought Last Seasons
Worlds Series.

Chicago, Sept. 24.-1nterest in the
throwing" of baseball san,es by dis
honest players switched today from
Chicago to Cleveland.
With the grand jury adjourned un-
til next Tuesday, Investigators, base
vail magnates and fans are watching
the White Sox, for their victory or
defeat in the game with the league
leading Indians at Cleveland may de-
eide the future course of the investi-
cation. If the White Sox win they
will displace Cleveland and lead the
league by a half game.
Ban +. Johnson. president of the
American league. is reported to have
received rumors that gamblers are
trying to create an impression that
the White o do not dare win the
league pennant. According to state
ments quoting Mr.. johnson. publish
ed by papers here, the syndicate Or
gamblers which. it mas beer charged.
bought" last years world series by
paying 100000 to i've White Sox
players. threaten to expose the DC
it the Chicago team wins the race.
johnson to Be Recalled.
Mr.. Johnson. it was announced to-
day, will be recalled by the grand
jury next week to tell what he knows
about this alleged blackmail plot.
Other witnesses when the investiga-
ton is resumed include President
Heydler of the National league. and
possibly George NJ. Cohan. the actor,
and Mont Tennes of Chicago. Cohan
is reported to have los $4,000 on
the 1919 world series and Tennes
$4,000.
United States District Attorney
Charles Clyne took a hand in the in
vestigation this morning when he an
nounced hat he had learned that
baseball pool sheets had been sent
through the mails, in violation of the
federal statutes. Postal inspectors
were called to Mr.. Clyne's office and
directed to trace the sheets.
Henry H. Bingham. foreman of the
grand jury. issued a lengthy state
ment today in which h announced
that I'VE nave evidence to convince
us that crooked work has been done
but We believe it has been confined
to comparatively few players, and
Ithis is the result of the pollution OF
these players by an INSCRIPTIONS
gang OF professional gamblers. the
same gang that have .crucified horse
racing and the kind that have about
killed the boxing game"
These interruptions tricksters.'
Mr.. Bingham continued. "havc with
out doubt reached some of the more
weakly character baseball players
The evidence is gradually coming out
and we are receiving the willing anc
earnest cooperation Of the best mer
in baseball. The grand jury will ap'
p%reciate any c!ews that lovers o
clean sport throughout the countr,
may give it that the game may b.
ever free from this menace"
Charles A. ConisKey. owner of TIL
Whites SoX. issued a. statement toda,
declaring that IF any of my player
are not honest, I'll fire them no mat
ter who they are, and if can &c
honest players to fill their places. II
close the gates of the park that Nv,
spent a lifetime to build. and in which
in the declining years of my life
take the greatest measure Of pride AM
pleasure"
No Cooperation.
Mr.. Comiskey criticized Ban John
son. president Of the American league
and said that lat no time since tn
playing of the world series did l hav
any cooperation from Johnson. or In.
member Of the national commission
in ferreting out this charge of crook
edness."
johnson says that an official in
v~estigation was made" Mr.. Comiske
continued. If SO. it was made un
beknoWn to me. my manager or m
ball players. The results OF such al
alleged investigation have never bee
communicated to me or to the league
"In line with the policy | have al
ways pursued. 1 have offered tn
states attorney of Cook county an
the judge Of the criminal court ever
assistance, by way Of money or other
wise, to turn UP any evidence 0
c~rookedness that exists affecting tn
honesty or integrity Of the grea
American pastime-baseball."
The White Sox owner said he frs
heard rumors that bis team was fixe,
O the morning Of the second day O
the world series last fall. He sent TO
John Heydler, president of the Ma
tiOnal league and a member Of tn
national commission, he said. and toll
him Of the reports and also ordere
kid" Gleason, the White Sox mana
ger, to take out any player who di
not appear to be doing his best.
Later he said he heard that
gambler in East st. Louis, Ill.,, ha
been Crossed" by the betting synd!
cate and had lost $500 and woul
!. reveal the plot if he could get hi
$500 hack. Mr.. Comiskey said h
offered a $4,000 reward for proof {
1.-The rumors and with Gleason went I
: East st. Louis to see the gamble,
but failed to get any proof Of tn
. charges