The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-07-21
Under Cross Examination
Says He Was in the Bribery
Business in Behalf of Roth
stein and Attell.
LEAGUE PAID EXPENSES
August Hermann Tells. Of
Part the National Commits
sion Played in Conducting
the Championship Games.

RVeCtue DcopQtCb 10 ffD NEW iOkA f1kxkhLp
CHICAGO, July 20.-Despite several
hours of hard work and cross exami-
nation of - character that caused
some caustic comment from Judge
Friend, Bill Burns, former player and
self -confessad middleman in the al
legged White Sox Conspiracy case,
held his own to-day. Burns reiterated
his accounts Of the double crossing"
Of the players by the New York syndi-
cate, whicS he said was headed by
Arnold Ro.hstein, Abe Attel, the for
mer featherweight boxing champion,
and the mysterious Bennett" later
identified as David Zeiser of Des
Moines.
Burns had bad memory for some
details, but stood up under scratching
innuendoes with smile and changed
his original story not whit under the
merciless questioning Of James c..
O'Brien, attorney for Gandil.
Before adjournment Burns admitted
that he had been travelling about the
country for four months at the expense
OF the American League. that Chick
Gandil had withdrawn from the alleged
conspiracy before the close Of the 1915
worlds series and that he had made a
misstatement regarding the hotel &C.
cupied by the White Sox players during
the New York series which preceded the
close Of the season.
While half dozen lawyers fought
viciously over every word Of his direct
testimony. and seven OF his former COM
rades kept their eyes fxud on him during
the entire time that he occupied The
stand. he told a calm, logical story OF the
betrayal in the 1919 worlds series.
Garry Herrmann Testines.
Burns was withdrawn from the stand
In the midst of the cross-examination to
permit the questioning OF August
("Garry') Hermann, president Of the
Cincinnati Baseball Club and head of tie
National Commission at the time of tho
1919 series. He was asked concerning
the rules under which post-season con-
tests we're played.
Attorney Henry A. Berger asked him
On cross-examination whether ne had at
tended the worlds series games. He re-
piled in the Affirmative. This was taken
TO indicate that the defence attorneys
will argue that none OF the experts sus-
pected the liking of the series
Mr.. Hermann then was excused and
Burns brought back. It Is probable that
the cross-examination Of the States star
witness will occupy most OF to-morrow's
session. The characters in his narrative
appear a peculiar lot, including, accord
ing to the charges:
Players who broke faith for q prom
Used 100000.
Gamblers who broke faith with the
players.
Players who broke faith with the gam
blers.
Go-betweens who broke faith with the
men who had financed them.
Alleged bride takers who broke faith
with the go-betweens.
Burns maintained he had received but
$500 for expenses from former Judge
George f, Barrett, counsel for the
american League. and that he did not
expect any part Of the $4,000 reward
offered by Charles A. Comiskey. presi-
dent OF the White Sox. for information
leading to the conviction OF the ball
players.
For the first time he told what he ex-
pected to get as a result of the fixing"
OF the 1919 world series. 1t was 81 100
from the White Sox players, which he
did not get, "and Attel had said he
would take care Of me on his end of it,"
He had bet on both Cincinnati and Chi
cago during the series.
what were you doing-crossing YOUR
self?" asked Attorney O'Brien.
Take your hand from your face so
We can see II, so the jury can see IT,"
snapped Mr.. O'Brien.
Take good look at IT," retorted
Burns as he obliged. What is it-a
curio?"
Curious Tale Told.
Judge Friend and his jammed ball
par" heard the most curious tale that
eve decorated the pages Of baseball
annals.
At the close OF the second game of the
series with Cincinnati being credited
with two victories to none for the WHITE
Sox. the "conspirators" still had s40,o
due them rom the alleged Rothstein-
Attell- Bnenett syndicate. according to
Burns's testimony. and they wanted their
money. Attcll grudglngiy gave Burns
$4,000 for distribution among the play
ers who were lin on the deal and ex-
planned they could not give the balance
because he and Bennett identified as
David Zeiser of Des Moines by Burns)
had been to the Kentucky race tracks
that day and had lost lot OF money"
But Attell and his crowd we're willing
to bet 100000 and $4,000 against q
nickel or nothing with the Sox players
that they could not lose the SERIES"
Simple. IL the Sox lost they got their
blood money" and the gamblers were
6oubIy guaranteed. meanwhile playing
the $4,000 around the pool rooms In
Cincinnati
This was the gist of Burns's testimony
exposing the daring finance OF the
alleged gamblers, together with the OBJ
vious deductions.
At the conclusion Of the second gam.
with the Sox consistent losers, AttelI,