Evening star., 1921-03-17
STATE DROPS CASE
AGAINST White S0X
corruption Of Witnesses
Is Charged by Prosecuting
Attorney Grove.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. March 17.-Ths state to-
day dropped the cases against all OF
the Chicago White Sox base bail players
indicted for the alleged throwing OF the
1919 worlds series except Chick Gandii.
The action was taken after Judge
William E.. Dever- had refused to grant
a continuance Of more than sixty days
In the case.
The state dAnandsd six mohths on the
grounds that It would take that length
OF time to gather evidence which would
give the prosecution a chance Of con-
viction.
VIII Seek New Evidence.
Immediately after the action had been
taken Robert E. Grove, states attorney,
announced that an attempt would De
made to gather new evidence and that
new indictments would be sought against
the men. The players whose cases were
dropped were those who had surren-
dered and given bail. namely Claude
williams. Joe Jackson, Oscar Felsch,
Swede Risberg. Eddie Cicotte, Buck
Weaver and Fred McMsiiin.
The cases OF Gandil, Hal Chase,
Rachel Brown, Joseph'J. Sullivan, Abe
Attel and Bill Burns were stricken
OF the court call by Judge Dever.
They were charged with being the
men who arranged the alleged con-
spiracy. Taking the cases on the call
prevents calling them up again Tor
six months.
"witnesses Corrupted"
Mr.. Grove in his announcement
that the cases were dropped, SAID
that he was convinced that crime
had been committed, but that cor
rfo nPtnrinQ1 r.
nesses made it impossible to go on
with the case"
Zoe jackson, Eddie Cicotte and
Claude Williams, the men who con-
fessed to the grand jury. have been
corrupted" he declared.
with their evidence available. we
would have a clean cut case against
these men and BE sure Of obtaining
convictions. Without their evidence
our case is hopeless.
''This case is not finished. however.
and these men have not escaped pun
ishment. We are going right after the
evidence that will convict and We
know where to get 1t.
'eWhen this evidence has been pro-
cured shall personally go before the
grand jury and seek new Indictments,
and there will. be no. mistake next
time
Conspiracy Charged.
"A peculiar conspiracy has stripped
the state OF it's three chief witnesses" 7"
Mr., Grove continued. Il don't know
iust how this conspiracy came about.
but know it existed and that through
it the testimony given by Jackson, Will
liams and Cicotte was-1ost to us.
Also, a news syndicate in some un-
derhanded way obtained copies of the
grand jury testimony and offered 1t for
sale. Thus it has become plain that
the defense was in full possession Of
ali of our evidence. and to proceed
would be useless"
Mr.. Groves announcement that the
cases would be dropped came after
Judge Deyer had set May as the
date for trial..
Mr.. Grove at first . announced he
would nolle pros. all of the cases.
but was prevailed upon by Judge
George f.. Barrett. American League
attorney. to drop. only the cases against
Judge Kenesaw NJ. Lands. base ball
commissioner, refused to comment on
the action of Mr.: .Ce:roye.
told that the cases had been dropped.
II can't say a.word." he continued.
Players Discharges.
The seven former White, Sox play
ers have been formally and COM
pletely discharged from the team.
nounced. The contracts of all but
two expired last year, while George
h (Buck) Weavef's had one year more
to run. and Joe Jackson's had two
s"Additional information received
7Continued on Page 2. Column s.