The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-02-22
SEEkBRASSTACKS
TO GET LANDS
House Committeeman Call For
Specific FaCts.1
ALLEGES JUDGE "BRIBEO"
Impeachment Charges Against United
States Jurist Meet VoIIey of
Questions.

Washington, Feb. 22-StGrmy scenes
occurred LefOre the house judiciary
committee with the presentation of
Impeachment charges against Federal
Judge Landis by Representative Wei
ty. Democrat, Ohio.
Mr.. Welty read his charges as out
lined before the house last week and
was subjected to Il croSStire of Ques-
tions
Representative Walsh, Republican,
Massachusetts, wanted to know if Mr..
Welty had any proof Judge Landis, in
acting as supreme arblter of organized
base ball, had neglected his official du-
ties. The Ohio member said he would
"unload the facts
when You are trying to catch a
rabbit you've got to follow his tracks" "
he said in reply tn another question
81 AIN trying to unhurden myself"
"Well, give us the facts and don't
Representative VolStead, Republican,
Minnesota, the chairman.
The Ohio member then offered q tele-
gram FROM District Attorney Clyne, of
Chicago, saying 92l criminal and 300
other cases were pending in Judge Ian
dis court.
Calling 1t outrageous Judge Lands
should he drawing $40, 800 from or
ganiZed base ball, Representative HuS-
ted, Republican, New York, insisted the
committee wanted facts on which an
Indictment could be drawn.
"In other words. legal way to i'm
peach him. if we cam suggested Rep
resentative Boies, Republican, Iowa.
The crcssfire of questions became
hot.
Il am going to snow these base ball
players are guilty of bribing Judge
LandiS," Mr.. Welty 0hOuted.
This assertion was made in connec-
ton with the indictments for throwing
games. hut the questioning quickly
shifted to other subjects.
Representative Gard, Democrat.
Ohio, wanted Mr.. Welty to get down to
brass tac'ls on his ,harce Judge Lands
neglected his official .1uty.
Calling attention 70 the action of the
supreme court of The District of Co
lumbia IN assessing damages of S24O.
COO against the big league base ball
associations in suits brought under the
antitrust laws and the indictments
of players in Chicago for throwing
games. iIr. Welty said:
"While these matters were pending
in the courts, this Illegal trust made
Judge Lands its chief arbiter. And
why should they select federal judge
as umplte? Was it because they want
ed to iall the people we are not an
unlawful trust. because Judge Lands
is at our headT Was it because these
base ball magnateS wanted to create
favorable sentiment with the hope the
supreme court of ;he District of Co
lumbia would be reversed?'
Mr.. Welty read Il letter from Chi
cago, the name of the writer withheld
quoting a base bail magnaJc as saying
Judge Landis as lawyer meant moth.
ing to organized base ball, but that
Judge I,andis as a federal judge "was
worth any price he might wish tC
ask"
"If that was the INTENT" Mr. Welty
declared. "doos the act not bring II
within the law of bribery? If the
magnat2s who were fined are permit,
ted to employ Judge Lands, wha'
would prevent the indicted players en-
ploying him?"
Judge Lands has a right to yield
to the fieshpots Of illegal combina-
tions," said Mr.. Welty, "but he should
not bring all our judiciary into ILL
repute."
Mr. Welty said Judge Llndis accept
ed the job of arbiter a month after
base ball players were indicted at Chi
cago for throwing the 1919 worlds
series.
Representative Gallivan. Democrat.
Massachusetts, said he would like to
talk to the committee later, adding he
did not believe Mr.. Welty's charges
had "henn SubStantiated."
The committee adjourned while
members were about to engage in an
off-hand discussion of the pr0priety
of Judge LandiS' conduct.