Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-07-19
BASEBALL TRIAL
IN CHICAGO IS
IN FULL SWING
State Presents Its First TeS-
timony Against the Seven
Chicago White SoX Play
erS and Others.

Wy AAlh EhEHNNihNth AChHsI
Chicago, July 1S,-The baseball
trial swung into full speed today
with the first testimony presented
by the state against the seven
White Sox players and others
charged with conspiring to throw
the 1919 world series, resulting in
many legal arguments and alter
cations which, at times came near
being physical combats.
The state announced tomorrow 1t
probably would bring forth its star
pinch hitter in the hope of clinch-
ing the case, sending Bill Burns,
the alleged accomplice and states
witness, to the stand to tell his
first hand story OF the alleged
conspiracy. 1T was also announced
that in return for his evidence the
state would nolle PROSE- the indict-
ment voted against him with the
other defendants.
Plenty of Excitement.
While todays session produced
plenty OF excitement it brought lit
tie in the way of evidence, George
German, assistant states attorney,
in charge of the prosecution, out
lined the states case, telling the
jury that Bill Burns met Eddie
Cicotte, White Sox pitcher, In New
York, and suggested that the series
be thrown. He then said Cicotte
and the seven other indicted play
ers were alleged to have discussed
the matter in Cicotte's room in a
Chicago hotel, and that it was
finally agreed to throw the series.
He repeated the story told at the
time of the grand jury investga-
ton that Cicotte received $4,000
and Jackson and Williams $4,000
each. Arnold Rothstein of New
York again was brought into the
case as the man whom Abe Attell
quoted as being willing to finance
the deal. At the grand jury investi-
cation Rothstein testified but was
not indicted.
Spectators on Hand.
The spectators added to the
bleacher appearance of the court
room, for most of them sweltered
in shirt sleeves.
The defendants paid the closest
attention to the testimony, particu-
larly when their former boss"
Charles A. Comiskey, president of
the White Sox club. took the stand.
It was at this point that ply
steal clash seemed imminent. Ben
Short, defense counsel, in cross ex-
aiming Mr.. Comiskey, asked MN
IL he had not jumped from the Ma
tional league to the Brotherhood
years ago.
The argument became so heated
that the "O1d Roman" rising In
the witness chair, shook his fist
at Mr.. Short and shouted:
Don't you dare say I ever
Jumped a contract! I never did
that in my life"
After other remarks he was
quieted.
Defense Wins n Point.
The defense won a point when
Judge Friend ruled that the state
could make no mention in its open
ing statement of the grand jury
confessions of Cicotte, Williams
and Jackson. The ruling is subject
to change and the confessions may
be admitted eventually.
Judge Friend overruled motion
by the defense to dismiss the elev-
enth and twelfth counts Of the in
dictment, which charge eight for
mer members of the White Sox
with conspiring to cheat and de-
fraud the club and Ray Schalk,
catcher, from the winners share
of the worlds series money.
Before Mr.. Comiskey was eX-
cused, 1t was brought out that the
baseball players were paid for
their seasons work before the
opening of the worlds series. Their
salaries for their work in the Sc
ries were paid by the national COM
mission.
John z. Bruce, of Cincinnati,
secretary and treasurer of the
national commission until 1t
passed out of existence early this
year, said the Chicago players
share of the 1919 world series re-
ceipts amounted to $7S,140.90,
which was given to Manager Glea-
son in the form Of a check after
the end of the series.
Commenting on the days ses-
sion tonight, Mr.. German said:
eve used our weakest lineup
and shut them out. Wait until
our real hitters get in"
From Thomas Nash, defense at
torney, came this statement:
1--WE took everything they sent
over and didn't even burn our
hands. Wen fan their heavy
hitters."