New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-22
Testifes First Proposal
Came From Cicotte and
Candil F; Court Rules
N. Y. Talks Admissible
State Scores i'm
Conspiracy Charge
Witness Admits Mistake
in Account of Meeting
After Opening Game
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

L
CHICAGO, July 21.-Judge Friend
this evening decided that conversations
held in New York between Cicotte,
Gandil, Bill Burns and Attell before the
1919 world series opened would be ad-
mitted in the records of the trial of
the indicted ball players and gamblers
growing out Of the "throwing" Of the
games. Twice before the Judge had
ruled that these conversations were not
admissible, but to-day. after the state
had insisted that it had proved the ex-
istence of conspiracy by the testi-
mony Of Bill Burns, it was decided to
admit the conversations. This is de-
cided victory for the state
Another important development was
the statement by Burns that it was not
the gamblers, but the ball players, who
conceived the plot of juggling the
world series. He testified that Cicotte
and Gandil had come to him in New
ork with a proposition to "thr;ow" the
series for 100000. Burns also brought
in the names of Jean Dubuc, formerly
pitcher for the Detroit Americans, and
Fred Toney, now pitching for the
Giants. They had not previously been
mentioned, and their connection with
the affair was not made clear to-day.
Burns Admits Misstatements
Give and take exchange of personal
tiles to-day enlivened the closing hours
of the inquisition to which Burns, the
states star witness in the baseball
trial. has been subjected since he fin
ished his direct testimony yesterday.
The defence attorneys after having
examined him by batteries and in
dividually, finally abandoned the at
tack, unable to upset the principal por-
tions of his testimony. In the morning
session Burns admitted that he had
made misstatements regarding certain
meetings with the White Sox players
IN the Sinton Hotel in Cincinnati
Attorney Benedict j. Short, who
closed the examination for the defense,
questioned Burns concerning his trans
fer from the Minneapolis club of the
American Association, attempting to
show that his release had followed an
attack on John Titus, of the Kansas
City club.
~ did have some trouble about that
affair."" Burns admitted. "Titus was
hit by pitched ball They tried to
make out that l had done it on pur-
pose"
"Whcn Gandil refused to give you
your share of the bribe money did you
tell him you'd get even?" Attorney
Short inquired.
Yes" admitted the witness.
do you think you're even now?"
81 wouldn't say, but Pm liable to be
before this thing is over"
After Attorney Short had concluded
his questioning, Assistant States At
torney German took the witness for
redirect examination in an attempt to
bolster up the weak spots in his tcsti-
mony as uncovered by the attack of
the defense attorneys.
Johnson-Comiskey Feud Brought In
An attempt by the defense to show
that Burns's testimony was obtained
for the state by Ban Johnson, head OF
the American League, in an effort to
wreck the White Sox team and settle
an old score with Charles A. Comiskey,
owner of the SoX, was one Of the sensa-
tional developments OF the cross-exam-
nation. On this point Burns refused
to commit himself.
The interchange of comment be-
plan to impeach the evidence offered
by Burns was disclosed. Judge Friend
intervened several times to preserve
order.
Attorney Nash, who opened the
examination when burns re-
sumed the stand at the beginning of
the morning session, occupied him
self principally with questions rela-
tive to the alleged meeting of Burns
with Chicago players in the Sinton
Hotel prior to the first game of the
series in Cincinnati
Burns admitted that he had no.
arrived in Cincinnati until 10 a. m.
the day of the first game and that he
had not reached the hotel until II
o'clock.
"Isn't it fact that these players
were out at the park practicing at the
time of your arrival at the hotel 90
inquired Mr. Nash. "Isn't it fact
that most of them went over to the
racetrack in Louisville after the
practice and didn't return to the hotel
until that night?"
Repeats Version of Hotel Meeting
II don't know about the practice" re.
piled Burns. "But they were in that
room in the hotel. / saw them there y
Mr.. Nash read over the list of the
CONTINUED on pase elshD