The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-20
Bill Burns, On Stand, Tells of
"ThrOwing" Series.
Players Tired of Deal When
Money Not Paid, He Says.
SMASHING BLOW FOR STATE
Disappointed Fans Are Turned
From Crowded Court Room.
Many Men Named by Pitcher in
White SOx Trial Today.

Chicago. July 2O.-The Chicago
White Sox players. after agreeing with
a clique of gamblers to throw the 1919
world series to Cincinnati for 100000,
became sick sof the deal when they
were not paid the brides promised and
at a meeting before the third game,
series, Bill Burns, accomplice in the
alleged deal and the states star wit
ness testified today in the baseball
trial.
George D. German. assistant states
attorney, resumed his questions con-
corning meeting in Cincinnati hotels,
when Burns took the stand.
In Room 70e."
When you were in room 7Os of the
Hotel Sinton the day of the second
game, what happened ?" asked Cor
man.
'.AtteH (the expire fighter and
several others were there answered
Burns. "Attell said Rothstein. Gone of
the alleged gamblers) had 5000. 900 to
bet on the SERIES but il was hard to
give the men any money. I insisted
on at least $4,000. Attell showed me
piles of money under a mattress.
Forty thousand dollars was due the
players Inen. ALlets IN taking OF
Rothstein, said Rothstein had a pri
waite wire from New York to Cincin-
natl ana some one said that Pitts
burgh gamblers were in on the deal.
I don't know who said that Atte1l Ben
nett, an alleged gambler and Maharg.
Chilly Maharg) former ball players,
were there. Some one said the Pitts
burgh gambler had a hard time get
ting money down"
An hour before the opening of the
third day of the baseball trial today.
with Bill Burns scheduled to continue
his story of the alleged plot by which
the 1918 series was lost by the White
Sox the doors of the court room were
ordered closed, when every seat was
taken. Hundreds of disappointed fans
crowded the corridors or waited out
side to watch the arrival of the for
were accused by Burns of planning TO
lose the worlds series, in return for
100000 to be paid by gambling
syndicate.
Attorneys for the state were jubiIant
today over the testimony given by
Burns. They considered his story of
the alleged fixing of the series as
smashing blow at the defense. Burns
has been promised complete immunity
for telling his story of the plot.
To Be "Some" Cross Fire.
IT. was expected that Burns would
conclude his direct testimony during
the day and would be turned over to
the defense for cross examination. 1t
was evident the former big league
twirler would be subjected to a savage
cross fire of questioning from the bat
terry of lawyers representing the de-
PENDANTS.
Burns in his testimony thus far has
named Arnold Rothstein, of New
York; Abe Attell. former feather
weight champion; William Mahard,
of Philadelphia; a man named Ben
nett" and himself as the principals
in the plot. Late yesterday he identi
fled Bennett as David Zelzer of Des
Moines, Ia.
Burns Names Cicotte.
Rothstein, according to Burns, was
the money bag" of the alleged con-
spirators. Burns named himself as
the "go-between" that conducted ne
gotiations with the players. Abe At
tell he named as the chief agent for
Rothstein. ZelZer, or Bennett" he
declared, also was a lieutenant of
Rothstein.-
Eddie Cicotte and Chick" Gandil
were named by Burns as the players
with whom he did business" Other
former members of the White So4
that he named as participants in the
plot were Risberg, Weaver and Felsch.
It was considered significant that
Burns made no mention of Joe Jack
son. Attorneys for the state declared
however, that Jackson would be
linked UP by the testimony of other
witnesses.