Arizona republican., 1921-07-22
BURNS SAYS SOX AGREED TO FIX SERIES BEFORE GAMBLERS MADE FINANCIAL DEAL
Cicotte Agreed To Frame World Series If Burns Could Arrange Financial Backing For $10O, 900
TRepubIIcsn A. P. Leased Wlrel

CHICAGO. July 21-Chicago White Sox players accused of conspirfng to throw the 1919 world series were not approached on the deal by gamblers or corrupted by a gambling clique, but formulated the conspiracy them selves and went to New Workers and former baseball players for financial backing. Bill Burns, admitted ac- complice and states witness, testi- fled today in the trial of seven of the players and four others who are un- der indictment in the case.
 Eddie Cfcotte of Detroit, tDrmer White Sox pitcher and once rated as the best in the American league, made a sell proposition to Burns and Gandil and Cicotte then yolun- teered the information that they could have the series thrown for $1e0.o00. Burns testified.
 Burns' testimony to this effect was admitted late today after Judge Friend three times had barred it temporarily while the attorneys could look up supreme court rulings on the question. It was looked upon by the state as among the most important part of the witnesss testimony, since 1t was designed to do away with the belief that the players were cor rupted by millionaire gamblers and to show that the alleged conspiracy had its inception in New York.
 The testimony was given in relat- ing details of conversations between Burns. Abe Attell, Hal Chase, Ci- cotte. Gandil and Bennett. identified by Burns as David Zelser of Des 11oines, Iowa, a defendant. These conversations were said by the wit ness to have taken place at the An sonia hotel in September. 1919, and were contended by the defense to be inadmissable on the ground that they took place prior to the inception of the conspiracy.
 Burns testified as follows upon re- direct examination:
 e. Did you ever meet Eddie Ci- cotte in New York?
 A. Yes, on September Is. 1919, l think it was. at the Ansonia hotel. The White Sox had not ther c1inched the pcnnant and Cicotte told me if the Sox won the pennant he had 2 \ big deal would be interested in and that I could get in touch with him at the Warner hotel in Chicago He said he wanted me to get $1o0,ooo
 O. When did you see him again?
 A. think it was September 8. 1919. at the Ansonia. Chick Gandil was with him. Gandil said the world series could be thrown for $100.000, that is, for $40, 0,000 each for five men then in on it. He asked if I could help get the backing. said l would try
 Burns previous testimony of how he went to see Arnold Rothstein or the proposition then was re-~t. Be fore he had not given Rothstein': answer but today he testified tha' Rothstein turned down the deal.
 c. When did you next see any of the men?
 A. Two days before the first game of the series. This also at the An- sonia. Bennett. Abe Attell, Ha' Chase and Maharg were there. Ben nett said he was Rothstein's lieuten- ant and that Rothstein had agreed tc come through. I said it was funny he wouldn't come through for me and Atteu said he saved Rothstein's life once and that he got him to coms through Bennett wanted to know what kind of deal could make witt the players and if I would take hin to them. Bennett said he was author ized to handle Rothstein's money.
 Burns previously had testified tha after this he. Attell. Maharg ant Bennett went to Cincinnati and tolt the players everything was arranged Three more players had come in ol the deal then, he said. but he was no permitted to name them and Judg Friend ruled that this part of hi testimony applied only to the mel
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