Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-21
BURNS CONCLUDES STORY
 OF BASEBALL CONSPIRACY

AAlCGEO. Ju.y -V."bll BuTnS. the ] states chief strength in the baseball 1 trial, today finished his story of how he and others conspired with eight Chi | cago White Sox players for them to throw the 1919 world series to Cncin- natl. The admitted accomplice in the alleged sell-out then withstood three hours of cross-exa imitation by two de- fense attorneys. never weakening in the main facts of his story, although sey- eral times badly confused on incidental details.
 At the end of his 12th hour on the stand, the witness appeared exhausted. His body was limp in the witness chair. his eyes were half closed. but his head was held back and his answers still came clearly and definitely despite a cat aract of innuendoes, heaped on him by his questioners.
 After finishing his story of Cincinnati conferences between himself. Abe AtteIl and Bennett, whom he identified yester- day as David Zeiser. o. Des Moines. Iowa. a defendant. Burns told of fur ther meetings in Chicago. of how the players dou6le-crossed tine alleged fix CTS" by winning the third game when | they were not paid after .he first two l and of Aow he agreed wIsil- -BaH--Jehn- son, president of the American league. and John Tyrrell. assistant states at- torney, to come to Chicago and testify for the state. He denied that he was paid other than his expenses for his tes- timony Or that he was promised any re- ward.
 He was then turned over to James C. Ropes" O'Brien, who earned his nick name and fame in the middle west by sending many men to the sallows when he was assistant states attorney.
 Under O'Brien's examination. Burns at first appeared hesitant in his answers. After half an hour of repartee he ap- peared 10 gain confidence and, sitting erect. answered all questions in a clear voice heard all over the courtroom Yes lterday the jury had difficulty in hearing him and many times the reporters had to repeat his answers.
 Mir. O'Brien caused Burns to repeat his direct testimony that he had twice met Chick Gandil in the Warner Hotel in Chicago. while games were being played here Then O'Brien said:
 Don't you know that Gandil never lived at the Warner Hotel in this se- ries? Don't you know that ne and other players you say you met at the Warner lived at the Tyson?"
 T only know that I met Gandil at the Warner" replied Burns.
 And Gandil told you there that he was through and wouldn't throw any more games that he wouldn't accept your offers of money that" began Mir O'Brien.
 "If you say he did. guess he did" lBurns replied sharply. Hes your client and he knows more about this case than l do"
 After Mir. o'Brion. Thomas Nash. rep in auofhe- lstyle of examination. MT. Nash got chummy with the witness. calling him Bill" and asking several questions in soft quiet manner and then suddenly shouting some sharp query at the wit ness
 He questioned Burns closely about the hours Of alleged meetings with the in- dicted players. the distances between ho- ltels in Cincinnati, room numbers and somewhat confused, once refusing 10 an- swer further questions until told by Judge Friend to do so.
 Asked about his statement that he told .he ball players in hotel room in Cincinnati that he had sIoo.0o0 for the series to be thrown" Mir. O'Brien asked him f he had not lied then.
 ''No." said Burns.
 But you didn't have $1oo,ooo on you?" Burns.
 Answer yes or mo-" said o'Brien.
 NO, l did not have it.'
 It was on such points as this that Burns got in the most trouble during the questioning. But, when questioned closely about the alleged meetings with the players, the witness was not shaken In his first story.
 On direct examination Burns said-he unteered to put up money to have the games thrown. but did not know the mans name.
 Some of the questions asked Burns by defense attorneys most of whilN, were ordered stricken from the record, are:
 Weren't you traded by the White Sox i to Cincinnati because you got in the habit Of falling asleep between innings on the 5ench?"
 Did you ever work more than a year for the same man in your life?"
 When you talked of throwing games you knew from your own experience as a pitcher that it could be done?'
 You have no objection to our trying to prove that you are not of a very high mental calibre?S
 Weren't you traded all over the country because you were an undesir- able type of man?"
 How much Is Ban Johnson paying you for your testimony?r
 You know Ban Johnson will do any. lthing to hurt Comiskey. don't you?'