New-York tribune., 1921-03-05
Accused Giants
Should BeMade
ToClear Names
Up TO the Owners to Bar
Benton. Toney and kauff
Until Case Is Decided
BY w. ]. Macbeth

Organized baseball has been handed
another wallop. Whether black eye
results remains to be seen. But fol-
lowing so closely as it does upon the
scandal associated with the throwing
Of the 1919 worlds series by the Chi
cage White Sox. the blow is certainly
not going to improve the countenancc
OF the national sport.
Hein'e Zimmerman, formerly tr rd
baSeman of the New YORK National
League club, who was dropped by Nc
Graw a year ago, makes affidavit that
three Of his former team mates s'ill
associated with the game are dishonest
These h says, are Outfelder Benny
kautf and Pitchers Rube Benton and
Fred Toney. Zimmerman says he car-
rled an offer Of bribery to the three
named from a Chicago gambler, Of
ferlng each Sl00 to throw gama to
the Chicago Cubs back in 1919.
We hold no brief for the Herie
Zimmermans Of baseball. His affidavit
condemns him in his attempt to con-
denim others. He certainly convicts
hlmscG as an accessory before the fact
of alleged crime
Charge Was Common Gossip
But we do condemn those who until
recently had the administration of
baseball law in their keeping What
Zimmerman has just sworn to was pub
December. He told his story to the
write then. but he refused to put it
IN affidavit. The writer Informed high
officials of organized baseball as to
Zlmmerman's charges. He has heard
Of no official investigation since.
There seems just one hope for or
ganized baseball. His name is Judge
kenesaw Mountain Landis He is the
commissioner of organized baseball
Judge Lands has promised to 30 to the
bottom of the whole baseball mess He
st ems to have been serious in that de-
liberation. for he has written all of the
club owners in organized baseball to
furnish him all the data at their fin
gers ends. He has asked the names,
addresses and salaries of the entire
club rosters; list Of players out on
optional agreement, and the terms and
conditions of such agreement; the
suspended. and list of the voluntarily
retired
The judge, moreover, has demanded
the names and home addresses of all
officials connected with the various
clubs, as we'll as the scout lists and
various representatives in the minor
leagues. 1t is to be presumed from
this he has mapped a course of cam
paign.
Zimmerman's chief "squawk" to the
writer fifteen months ago alleged
breach of faith on the part of Nc
Graw for failure to declare him in
on 4 share of the second position
money from the worlds series Zim
was suspended in late August without
pay. He took part in 126 of the 140
games scheduled of that year.
Players Held Out Money
Secretary O'Brien said yesterday this
case was one in which. the New York
club was not concerned. The division
Of money, was made by the players
and the players voted out Zimmerman
because of indifferent playing. They
held, ne said, that Zimmerman might
have assured them a pennant.
But Mr.. O'Brien admitted contract
for S-lVO had been offered thinner
man next spring. To offer Zimmerman
contract L ne were dishonest was all
wrong. To attempt to drive him from
the game by such an insult if he were
honest was quite as shameful. 1t
smacked of the "backstairs politics"
which nave disgraced baseball for many
years.
1t is to be hoped Judge Lands will
Immediately go to the bottom of the
Zimmerman charges. Kauff who is
Implicated, IS under lndlctmcHt on d
charge of alleged automobile tkievery.
Eenton, also accused, has admitted WIN
ning money on the 1919 worlds series,
which 1t is said he knew "tixed"-
an oifense which drove Joe Gedeon from
the ST. Louis Browns.
The cases of Kauff and Benton are
identical with those of the indicted
White Sox players. Until they can
clear themselves to public salts action
they should have no part in baseball.
The country viii look 10 Judge Lands
for signal action. 1t is not likely to
be disappointed.