Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-03
TRENTON FORFEITS;:
LOSES FRANCHISE
Eastern League Magndtes
viii Meet This Euening
to Consider ActiOn to Be
Taken in Basketball
FidscO

THE game of basketball received a
L black eye last night in Camden when
the Trenton team Of the Eastern League
refused to recognize the very rule that
it, along with five other clubs, had
passed on January q. and left the floor
in the game with Camden n few seconds
after Referee Gus Maddox had tossed
up the ball. Before the Potters quit
the cage, however, Neil Dieghan scored
a field goal and the game was awarded
to Camden 2 to o.
The trouble Is the outcome of the rule
which forbids two men playing basket
ball elsewhere when their team has a
regularly scheduled contest. Last FRI
day at Trenton. Beckman and Grim
stead did not appear and the club was
notified that one would be suspended.
Both men were playing in the Penn
State League.
Joie MANI. part owner of the team,
remarked at Germantown the previous
week that he would carry out his pro-
gram in walking of the floor II any
such action was ever taken against
Trenton. Last evening Fred L. wal
ters, who is half owner, said it was his
desire to have the game played and
named Grimstend ms the man to be sus-
pended. He informed President Scheffer
of his decision. Manager Al Cooper also
wanted the game to proceed and was
under the impression that everything
was O. X.
MANI Says Nothing Doing
Cooper understood that MANI had dis j.
posed of his interest to "Curley' Nc
Cue, but just before play was called the
deal was announced cancelled. Manz
said both Beckman and Grimstead play
or no game" Then Half Owner Wal
! ters offered TO buy out Manz's interest,
but the latter refused. The players
also would not play without Beckman
and Grimstead in the line up and as
President Scheffer and the Camder
management would not give in, tn,
crowd was disappointed and the match
forfeited.
Then followed thousand informa
conferences in all parts of the spacious
armory by the fans. The merits of the
case were discussed till midnight ant
in the meantime the Camden players
staged an exhibition contest with
picked team. The management of the
Camden team refunded money to al
who desired it. but most persons kep'
their checks for the game next Wednes-
day with Reading.
President Scheffer has called q meet.
1 -
mates will net in the matter. Trenton
by the action. forfeits it's franchise
and the Camden management suffers ar
enormous monetary loss. Whether thu
Trenton owners can be sued~fOr walk
ing off the floor was discussed and thu
Skeeter management can no doubt col
lect damages.
Great Race Spoiled
The fasco spoiled the greatest race II
the history of the league. Germantown
and Camden were fighting tooth ant
nail for first place and Trenton ant
Reading were also battling for tn,
honor to meet the winner as they ended
the first half in tie. What will hap,
pen when the league managers meet l!
uncertain. The league may even dis
band. In case such action is taken thu
fans would like to see series between
Camden and Germantown.
The Eastern League has reputation
for making rules and breaking them. AZ
the start of the second half all con-
cerned were notified that the laws gov
prning the players would be enforced
In the first half the final day for. sign
ing players was December 10. On De-
rember IS Trenton signed Bernie Dunn,
of Wilkes Barre, and by his f,se work
was able to end the first series in tic
| WIN 1tuulUR. lHlS WIS II NlOlutioh vi
the rules, but Trenton went unpun
ished on the plea Of ignorance of the
| time limit.
Up at Trenton several weeks age
Germantown brought Rube eastman to
play. Trenton protested, but later al
lowed the Germs to play Rube. Had they
insisted eastman would never have
played. President Scheffer, who was
present, said that as far as he was
concerned the man was ineligible.
Scheffer Immediately called meeting
for the following Sunday. Trenton
played ut Musical Fund Hall Saturday
night and Owner Manz said he would be
present the following day and was full.
aware as to why the meeting was
called.
IJa d;d pot sbov IN but later paye