Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-07
KAUFF EXPELLED
FROM BASEBALL
Judge Lands DEGREES New York
Giants OutfieIder Is Ineli-
gible to Play
ACCUSED OF AUTO THEFT

Chicago, April Benny Kauff, star
outficlder with the New York Nation
ais. today was declared ineligible to
play in organized baseball by Commits
sioner lands because Of the indict-
ments returned against him in New
York, charging him with the theft Of an
automobile.
Tho indictment also charges Kauf
with having a stolen automobile in his
possession knowing that IL had been
stolen. The case against him Is still
pending in New York.
In rendering his decision, Commits
sioncr Lands said:
"Of course, the mere return Of an
indictment does not imply guilt. THE
grand jury inquisition is ex parte. The
defendant has no opportunity there to
defend against the charge. But indict-
ment does not imply that. in the judg-
ment of the grandj urors, there is prob
able cause to believe the accused guilty.
More than thirteen months have
elapsed since the filing Of formal charges
Of the commission Of felony. The record
does not show that this long pendency
of the accusation was altogether over
the players protest. On the contrary,
the conclusion is irresistible that the
reverse Is true. It is perfectly apparent
that earnest insistence on hearing by
the defendant would before this have
brought the matter to q finality.
Presence In Line. Up Unjust
Section Q Of Article w OF the ma
jor- minor league rules, relating to play
crs under Indictment for conduct detri-
applies here. That provision is that
any player who participates in game
with or against a club containing n
player under such indictment shall be
considered ineligible. An indictment
charging felo1ious misconduct by II
player certainly charges conduct detri-
mental to the good repute Of baseball.
1.-THE mere presence of such a player
in the lineup would be so unjust to
the other players, so deeply offensive to
the baseball public and so strongly sug-
gestive Of lack Of appreciation Of cle-
mental morality on the part of those
charged with protecting the good re-
pute of the game. that it is an obvious
impossibility. Therefore, this player
will 60 on the ineligible list"
|
the spring trip, but was ordered to ap-
pear before Commissioner Lands two
weeks ago to explain his connection
with the alleged automobile thefts After
| the hearing Kauff returned to New York
instead of joining the tenn in the
South. pending Judge Landis' action
on his case.
Worked In Mines lFew Years Ago
A few years ago Benny was working
in a mine in small Ohio town ant
playing semi pro ball. He drifted int
various bush leagues and made good
Eventually he landed with the Brooklyn
Federal League team, from which h
jumped in 1916 to the Giants. Later tn
New York Nationals paid 100000 TO
his release after the surrender of tn
Federal League.
No ball player received more pub
licity than Benny when he entered tn
big league. He had buoyant person
atty and was a drawing card all owe
the circuit. But last year the wron
kind of publicity came to him.
On February 1S he was arraigned Ii
New York police court on a charge o
grand larceny in connection with tn
Brennan, Of New York, on Decembe
S. He was released on bail
Kauff was formerly engaged In tn
automobile accessory business in New
York. He employed his half -brothehr
Frank Hone, who was arrested on ,
charge Of stealing an automobile. which
he sold in Lancaster, O., last November
The charge against Kauff was tn
result of information which the polio
received in the course Of an investiga
tion into the activities of Hone.
As a result Of his arrest Kauff wa
transferred to the Toronto Club Of tn
International League, but was recalle
by the Giants.