New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-21
Asserts PlayersW on Third
Game After Telling the
Fixers They Would Not
Back Kerr, a ssBusher''
CrOss-Exanined
For Three Hours
Sticks to Chief Charges
Despite Bitter Attack
of Defense ATTORNEYS

CHICAGO, July 20.--Bill Burns. the
states chief strength in the baseball
scandal trial, to-day finished his story
OF how he and others conspired with
eight Chicago White Sox players for
them to throw the 1919 world series to
Cincinnati. The admitted accomplice
in the alleged sell-out then withstood
three hours of nerve racking cross-ex-
animation by two defense attorneys, in
which he fought a give and take battle,
never weakening in the essential facts
of his story, although several times
badly confused on incidental details.
At the end of his twelfth hour on
the stand the witness appeared ex-
hausted. His body was limp in the
witness chair, his eyes were half
closed, but his head was held back and
his answers still came clearly and de-
family, despite torrent of innuen-
| does, disparaging remarks about his
mentality and character and other bit
ter verbal shots heaped on him by hia
questioners.
Players Doubled Crossed Fixers
After finishing his story of Cincin
natl conference between himself Abe
Attell and Bennett, whom he identified
yesterday as David Zelser, of Des
Molnes. Iowa, a defendant, Burns told
OF further meetings in Chicago, of how
the players double-crossed the alleged
il&ers by winning the third game when
they were not paid after the first two
ana OF how he agreed with Ban John
son, president of the American Leapue.
and John Tyrrell, Assistant States At,
torney, to come to Chicago and testify
or the state. He denied that he was
PAID other than his expenses for his
testimony. or that he was promised anv
reward, and stuck steadfastIy to these
statements under cross s-examination.
lie was then turned oyer to James
o. t"Ropes") O'Bren, who earned his
nickname and fame in the Middle West
by sending many men to the gallows
"hen ne was Assistant States ATTORNEY.
onder O,Bren's examination, Burns
at hrst appeared hesitant in his an.
s"ers; After half an hour of repartee,
O>Brlen's wit and sarcasm with repIies
equally as witty and sarcastic Burns
appeared to gain confidence, and, sit
ting erect, answered all questions in a
clear voice. heard all over the court
room. Yesterday the jury had diff
Guilty III hearing him, and many times
the reporters had to repeat his an
swers.
O'Brien Griis Witness
Mr.. O'Brien caused Burns to repeat
his direct testimony that he had twice
met Chick Gandil in the Warner Hotel
in Chicago while games were being
played here. Then O'Brien said:
Don't you know that Gandil never
lived in the Warner Hotel in this
series? Don't you know that he and
| other players you say you met at the
Warner lived at the Tyson"
u only know that | met Gandil at
the Warner" replied Burns.
"And Gandil told you there that he
was through and wouldn't throw any
more games, that he would accept YOUR
offers of money that"-- began Mr..
O'Brien
Burns replied sharply. dies u, YOUR
client and he knows more about this
case than | do"
Burns then testified that he talked
with Nick Allen, Cincinnati player.
the morning of the third game of the
series.
Don't you know the Cincinnati team
was out practicing at that time 90
shouted O'Brien.
81 don't know what the team was
doing, but l know l talked with Allen"
said Burns. This conversation had
nothing to do with the alleged con-
! spiracy.
After Mr.. O'Brien. Thomas Nash.
representing Buck Weaver, took up
another style of examination. Mr.. Nash
! got chummy with the witness, calling
him Bill" and asl:ing several ques-
! tions in a soft, quiet manner and then
suddenly shooting some sharp query
at the witness.
Burns Confused in Minor Points
! He questioned Burns closely about
the hours of alleged meetings with the
indicted players, the distances between
hotels in Cincinnati, room numbers
and such details, and at times Burns
was somewhat confused, orce refusing
to answer questions until told by
Judge Friend to do so.
Asked about his statement that he
! told the ball players in a hotel room in
Cincinnati that he chad 100000 tor
the series to be thrown" Mr.. O'Brien
asked him if ne had not lied then.
"No," said Burns.
But you didn't have 100000 on
you?"
81 meant ! could GET started
Burns.
"Answer yes or no." said O'Brien.
"No, I didn't have it,"
! 1t was on such points as this that
Burns got in the most trouble during
the questioning. But, when questioned d
closely about the alleged meetings
with the players, the witness was not
shaken in his first story.
On direct examination Burns said he
Continued On page sis)