New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-20
Says He Met New Yorker.
Whom Abe Attell Called
Walking Bank Before
He Approached Players
100000 Offered
To Throw 5 Games
Former Pitcher Appears
With Guard of Four as
Star Witness for State

CHICAGO, July 19-The state TODAY
turned its full strength into the prose-
cution of the Chicago White Sox base
ball players and others charged with
the alleged conspiracy which resulted
in the 1919 worlds series scandal, send
ing Bill Burns, who admitted BEING an
accomplice Of the defendants, and who
turned states evidence in return for
immunity, to the witness stand to tell
the inside story of the reported SELL
out of some of the games greatest
players to gamblers who wanted the
series thrown to Cincinnati.
burns, who was only about one-third
through his story when court adjourned
for the day, was on the stand long
enough to name Arnold Rothstein. Of
New York; Abe Attell, former feather
weight pugilistic champions David Eel
ser, of Des Moines, one of the defend
ants; Billy Maharg, of Philadelphia,
and himself as among the organizers
OF the alleged conspiracy. He drew
vivid verbal picture of numerous meet
ings between the players and the all
legged fXers in Cincinnati hotels the
days of the first two games of the 1919
series, saying that the athletes agreed
to make the series a "made- to- order"
one, throwing games just as desired.
Says Cicotte Was Eager to Lose
Burns testified that Eddie Cicotte,
one of the American Leagues greatest
pitchers, said he would throw the first
game if he had to throw the ball out
of the lot"
Burns identified David Zelser, de-
fendant, as man he had known as
Bennett during the forming of the al
Bennett Cor Zelser) was present at most
of the meetings when the reported sell
out was arranged.
Burns said Abe Attell had termed
Rothstein a walking bank" who would
pay all he promised, but after the first
game Attell refused to give him any
money, saying he couldn't pay the play
ers until he collected the bets made
The players were to get $4,000 after
each game lost, Burns said.
Rothstein testified before the grand
jury last fall that he was approached
on the deal, but refused to 20 into it
and that his name was used by Abe
Attell without his permission.
Burns's testimony was broken by re-
peated arguments by the various at
torneys, who succeeded in having some
OF his testimony barred, particularly
that dealing with a conversation with
Cicotte in New York prior to the series.
Burns Makes Dramatic Entrance
The former major league pitchers en-
trance into the courtroom came in dra-
matte manner. After Henry Grabner and
Kid Gleason, secretary and manager,
respectively, of the White Sox club, tes-
tilted that the players were under con-
tract to the club during the world
series, Taylor Sphinx, official scorer of
the 1919 series, testified as to the
scores of the various games. For tif-
teen minutes those in court tidgeted,
cause Of the delay
1--WE are waiting for witness, your
honor" said George German, of the
prosecution. Eve don't wish to dvulge
his name as we don't want him inter
rupted on his way here"
Finally two private detectives en-
tered. Behind them came Burns, fol-
lowed by two more plain clothes men.
The states chief witness walked
through the section occupied by the de-
PENDANTS without looking at them. On
the stand he spoke in low, even tone,
and repeatedly wiped his forehead with
his handkerchief. Finally he took off
his coat. Burns fidgeted a bit during
the legal arguments over his testimony,
but while he hesitated at times over
questions most of his answers came
quickly. His testimony will be re-
sumed tomorrow.
Crowd Oyerflows Courtroom
Every seat and every inch of stand
ing room in court were occupied by
spectators, and when it became known
that Burns was on the stand a line
formed from the door down the stairs
two floors below.
Burns first gave brief story of his
early life, saying he left school when
nineteen, entering professional base
ball in 1906 with Los Angeles. He then
played with the Washington Americans,
Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Detroit and
the Chicago White Sox, going back to
Continued page four)
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