The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-13
INDICTED PLAYERS
TO BEGIN FIGHT to-
.EXONERATE SELVES
Attorneys State That They
Will Take Advantage of
Every Technically
Bx AssnciafAd Press

Chicago February 12.-Attorneys rep
resenting Chicago American league base
ball players indicted in connection with
the alleged throwing of the 1919 world s
series today opened their fight to exon
crate the men by announcing that a de-
mand would be made before the county
judge Monday for a bill of particulars
in the case. II
Notification of the contemplated ac-
ton was accompanied by affidavits from
Claude Williams. Joe Jackson and Buck
Weaver denying they had entered into
any conspiracy to throw the series or
to actually throw games. Jackson and
Williams denied that they had confessed
to conspiracy when they testified be-
fore the baseball grand jury, but did
not repudiate announcements made at
the time of the indictments that they
had accepted, money to throw games
ACTION OF DEFENSE
The action of the defense was not
taken by state officials to mean that
jackson and Williams would repudate
their grand jury testimony when brought
to trial, but attorneys representing the
players refuse to deny or assert that
this might be done.
I'VE expect to fight from the begin
ming and to take advantage of every
technicality," said Benedict Short. rep
resenting the two players.
,, whether the alleged confessions viii
be Populated, ignored or defended when
the trial begins cannot be said.'
Announcement of the action taken by
(, the defense brought statement from
Judge Charles Mcdonald. who brought
the worlds series case before the gram
| jury that il jackson, Williams or Eddie
Cicotte repudiated any part OF their
| grand jury testimony Immediate steps
would be taken to prosecute them for
perjury.
! "Ihese men may jump from the frying
pan into the fire." said Judge McDon-
aid They face a possible maximum
penalty of five years in the penitentary
| at present, If they are found guilty, put
a. perjury charge might make it mueh
! harder"
! George E. German, assistant state at
! torney, who has charge Of the prosecu-
! ton, said the state would simply sH
Light, as it's case was complete.
! DEFENSE PETITION
| The defense petition asks that the
state be compelled to furnish bill oil
particulars of the followins
what control and supervision. If any,
| the White Sox club owners had over the
players after the expiration Of their con-
tracts. for the playing season, Septem-
+, Der Is, 1919.
William Burns and Hal Chase, former
major league players charged with heip-
| ing engineer the alleged throwing OF the
! SERIES and Rachel Brown and Sport
! sullivan conspired with the conspirators
to destroy the reputation of the White
Sox club.
What bride was offered and given,
| and by whom and to whom and when,
i where and how much bride was offered
! and given and by whom it was accepted
! and received.
when where and in what manner
the petitioners did not execute plays
with their best skill and ability. and in
what games and in what particular
4 plays of each game did the petitioners
| not play with their best skill and ability.
How games alleged to have been
i thrown could have been won, by the
PLAYERS under Indictment"
Claude williams, before going to the
| grand jury to testify, issued sworn
| statement that he received $4,000 to help
throw the series and that he gave Jack
| son 5000 He said arrangements were
| to throw the series in conference be-
tween himself Jackson. Weaver. Rls-
berg. Felsch. Gandil, Cicotte and Nc
Mullin and two gamblers named Brown
and Sullivan in Southside hotel pre-
! sious to the series. His affidavit today
said he did not know whether the Bowl
| and Sullivan at this conference were the
Erown and sullivan indicted, and tbas
| he did not know n X. Sims. mentioned,
Ia the indictments as victim Of tho
ialleged conspiracy. The other affidavlts
were similar 10 his.