Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-04
Lands to Bar
Freed White Sox
From Pro- Ball
National Commissioner De-
clares "Regardless of Yer.
dict, No Player Implicated
Will Play PROFESSIONALLY
by The Associated Press.

criminal conspiracy to throw the
1919 world series, has any immediate
prospect of being restored TO Or
ganized base ball according to
statement issued today by Judge *.
NJ. Lands, national base ball conf
missioner.
"Regardless Of the verdict OF
iuries," said the statement, no
player that throws ball game, no
player that entertains propose IS or
promises to throw a game. no player
that sits i'll a conference with bunch
of crooked players and gamblers,
where the ways and means OF throw
ing games arc discussed, and dares
not Immediately tell his club about
it, will ever play professional base
ball
"Of course | do not know that
any Of these men will apply for re-
instatcment, but if they co, the above
are at least a few of the rules that
will be enforced.
"Just keep it in mind that regard
less of the verdict Of juries base
ball is entirely competent to protect
itself against the crooks, both inside
and outside the game.
Johnson Is Disappointed.
Failure to secure conviction in the
trial of seven White Sox players
was disappointing to President Ban
Johnson Of the American league but
he declared in a statement today that
a very good lesson had been
taught"
"The trial of the indicted players
and gamblers which closed yester-
day uncovered the greatest crime IT
was possible to commit in base ball,
President Johnson said.
The fact that the outfit was freed
by a Cook county jury does not
alter the conditions one iota or mimi
mize the magnitude of the offensc,'
he added
In a formal statement today,
Charles A. Comiskey, owner of the
White Sox, declared he would have
nothing to do with the men acquit-
ted until they could explain salts
factoriiy their confessions.
"Cicotte confessed to ME that he
had helped throw the worlds series
of 1919" Mr.. Comiskey added.
"He also implicated the other seven
players. Until such time as Cicotte
can explain to my satisfaction that
confession, will have nothing to do
with him or the seven men he impli-
Gated in his confession
Weaver Wants Back.
Oh the players acquitted last night
only Buck Weaver, former third
baseman of the Chicago White Sox
and Swede Risberg, former short
stop, indicated an immediate inteil-
ton to apply for reinstatement. i
Joe Jackson, smuggling outhelda,
said he was through with base bali
and would devote his time to a store
he has opened here. "Chick" Gandii
voiced picturesque and forceful
farewell to Ban Johnson, president
of the American league. Lefty"
Williams. pitcher, said he would play
scmi-professional ball. Eddie Cicotte,
famous shine ball' hurler, said be
had talked once in the criminal
courts building and would not dare
DO so again and Hap" Felsch, GEN.
terhelder reiterated his innocence,
but announced no plans.
Took One Ballot.
The seven former White Sox base
ball players and two others on trial
for alleged conspiracy to defraud the
public through throwing the 1919
world series, last night were found
not guilty by jury.
The jury took only one ballot.
The verdict was reached after two
hours and AZ minutes of delibera-
ton, but was not returned until 40
minutes later, Judge Hugo Friend
being out of court when the de-
cison was reached.
The defendants were Buck Weav-
er, third baseman; Oscar Felsch,
outfieldcr; Charles Risberg, short
stop; Arnold Gandil, first baseman;
Claude Williams and Eddie Cicotte.
pitchers: Joe Jackson, outhelder, all
former White Sox players, and Carl
Fork of St Louis and David Zelcer
of Des Moincs.
Announcement of the verdict was
greeted by cheers from the several
hundred persons who remained irf
court for the final decision and
shouts of "hurrah for the Clean
Soxw
Weaver Wants Job Back.
Jurors refused to talk to reporters,
I'VE voted not to tell what hap
pened in the jury room," they said.
They all seemed proud Of their YER
dict and all grinned like school boys
as the players and attorneys crowd
ed around them.
Everybody knew | had nothing
to do with the conspiracy" said
Buck Weaver as he shook hands witt,
the Judge. Il believe that | should
be given my old position back. Pm
going to fight for it."
I'm through with organized base
ball" announced Joe Jackson. I've
got store here in dear old Chicago.
This will be my home I'm going
to play ball with Williams i'll Okll-
homa for a while this summer. AZ
present I'm contemplating taking a
position as coach for university
team in Japan. I've also had an Of
fer to go before the footlights." :"
"All | want to do is to get to De-
troit," Cicotte said gaily when inter
viewed. Talk did you say? Not
here"
Will Quash Indictments.
All indictments remaining against
the acquitted ball players will be
quashed, it was announced by Rober
+. Grove states attorney.
As far as | AM concerned, tho
case is a closed book said Mr.,
Grove.
Investigation OF the disappearance
OF the waivers OF immunity signed
b Cico,tc, Jackson and Williams.