Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-07-19
Baseball
rial Is
Opened
d
Chicago Club Officers
Say Contracts Gov
ern Players During
World Series


former major league pitcher, took
the stand in the trial of the in
dicted White Sox players today to
tell his first hand story of the al
legged conspiracy to throw the i3i9
word G. series. RurDs was iEdict
Gi as one OF the consairators but
agreed. on promises of Immunity,
to turn states evidence.
Burns first gave brief story of
his early, life saying he left school
when 10, entering professional
baseball in 1906 with Los Angeles.
After several years in major League
clubs he worked for mining
company in Texas, he said, and
then went into the oil business.
During the past year, he said, he
had not worked.
do you remember meeting one
defendant in New York hotel
about September 16 or 17?' asked
Mr. German of the stale.
''Yes, Eddie Cicotte.''
Cicotte was then identified by
Burns as the man he met.
What did Cicotte say to you?
HE told me they were figuring Z
IN -" "
Testimony Ruled Out.
The defense lawyers objected to
Burns telling of his conversation
with Cicotte or any one else pre-
ceGiIG the alleged conspiracy.
MI. German said Cicotte had
outlined a conspiracy already
formed, and the proceedings were
delayed while the attorneys went
out to get supreme court opinions
on the matter.
After a half hour of argument,
Judge Friend ordered the state to
proceed with the examination, bat
ruled that the conversation was
not admissible as evidence.
Chicago, July 10. William
(Kid) Gleason and Harry Grabin-
er, manager and secretary, res
pectively of the Chicago White
Sox, testified for the state today
in the baseball trial, telling of the
contracts between the indicted
players and the club. Their testi-
mony was designed to prove the
prosecution contention that the
men were under contract to the
club during the worlds series and
not just in The regular season as
the defense contends.
Both men said the, players we're
under contract in the series and
cross-examination by the defenseI
failed to shake their testimony, al
though they could not point oatI
any clause in the contracts which
were admitted as evidence specifi-
cally mentioning the world series.
Side Comment Heard.
Testimony of the two White Sox
officials brought some interesting
side play among the players on
trial. As Grabiner recited details
1f the contracts which seemed to
favor the prosecution the players
remarked in an undertone there's
A double" or "he hit that one on
he nose" When the secretary told
If a bonus given Eddie Cicotte
md Claude Williams one of the
defendants remarked:
"Oh boy! a triple with two on.
but there are not any home
.uns yet" said Cicotte, and as
5rabiner became a little confused
oy the questions Happy" FeIsch
whispered "he lost that one in the
jun."
Lost it nothing" said Joe Jack
ION, he just booted it,"
Court Adiourns.
Court adjourned for lunch with
Taylor Sphinx. official scorer of the
1919 world series scheduled to be
he first witness at the afternoouf
ession. Bill Donovan, managerl
# the Philadelphia Nationals, who
5 understood to have been told Of
he alleged conspiracy by Bill,
Burns. was expected to follow
pink with Burns then coming on
he stand.
That the state has a surprise
witness was learned today ahen /
Wild Bill" Donovan. maaager Of
he Philadelphia National team. /
ppesred in the witness room A.
istant States Attorney sohn F ]
'yrrel1 said Donovan would testi-
, to information Of the alleged
ouspiraey which he obtained
rom Bill Burns. former White Sex