South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-18
ACTUAL TRIAL OF
INDICTED PLAYERS
WILL OPEN TODAY
Defense Counsel of BLACK
SOx Will Show Players
Violated No Law.

CHICAGO. July IT, Prosecution
and defense In Che case Cf the meu
alleged TO have formed c0rs2lr-
aCy for Chicago White S1x players 90
deliberately permit Cincinnati 90 win
the 1919 world series Sunday ulrat
were ready 20 80 n.o Che drs- in-
nlng Of play in JuGee Hugo Fr.euds
court Monday when the -r.al proper
VIII start after two weeks II pre-
limIuary warmi se up. mas+ IL which
was occupied in selecting a jury.
Indications are THAI ,he case may
develop into "a battle of IeelI en-
tanslemeuts which VIII leave the
jury deciding not whether there ac-
whether such a conspiracy was
series 10 be thrown. but merely
whether such conyspisaey wac
against Illinois Jaws The defense
sunday night WAS ready to submit
half a dozen motions Monday each
/ OF which probably viii further en-
tangle the legal aspects OF the trial.
The defense received a light set
} back sunday when it's attorneys tried
20 interview Bill Burns. the alleged
accomplice of the defense. whom the
state is relying "to strike out" the
defendants with his testimony. and
! Joe Gedeon, former St Louis player
who was uncondiuonaIly released al
ter the grand jury last fan. although
he was not indicted
Interview Cleans Nothing.
All Of the defense attorneys met
with the states attorneys 10 inter
/ view the two men, permission for the
interview having been granted by
Judge Friend, bur they learned moth
ling.
Burns. alleged TO have been one of
/ the trainers Of the alleged consplr-
lacy, gave the same answer to every
/ question:
Il do not care to discuss the case
at all"
II have nothing TO say" was Ged-
cons stock reply. both men 6aving
been INSTRUCTED 10y the state % give
| these answers.
The defense Monday win request
an order from Judge Friend that the
/ men be forced 70 talk on the grounds
/ that it is against the law 90 sur
/ prise "a defendant and that unless
Burns and Gcdeon ten what their
testimony viii be the defendants
may be surprised.
The defense also plans 20 ask
\ Judge Friend 10 order Burns arrest
ed he being under Indictment all
though never officially apprehended.
due. IL is said. 10 his agreement 10
turn sta-e's evidence
. Bar Players Confessions.
Following these two motions the
/ defense plans to move that the grand
Jury statements OF Eddie CIcotte. Joe
jackson and Claude Williams ie
barred from the case. that no grand
p jurors or others who heard these
confessions while under pledge of
\ secrecy be permitted % testify. that
all evidence Of gambling ora the SER
les De barred. as rhe indictments do
not mention gambling and that the
last two counts ln the Indictments
II charging conspiracy o. defraud Ray
+ Schalk and the Chicago club Zoe
u stricken out
II was announced hv defense at
/ torneys Sunday night that they will
N produce evidence 20 show that the
fcud between Pros't Ban Johnson of
the American league and Pres'r
Charles O. Comlskey of the Chicago
.. club was responsible for the grand
jury Investigation It VIII be con-
tended tnat johnson instiEated the
} Investigation iu order 10 wreck Com
iskeys club when d. was on the verge
+Df winning another pennant
AS a final attempt 20 s-aye on
rally boy the state. the defense may
base It's case mainly on the conten-
ton that although there was a con
templated conspiracy &c never was
carried out and that Sc was not en-
violation Of any Illinois law.
Following disposition Of the vari-
GUS motions. AIr. German viii make
the opening statement and VIII first
Introduce witnesses who lost money
betting on the White Sox. Following
them viii come Burns. GedeOn and
possibly Billy Naharg Of Phnadel-
Iphia. these men comprising the
states "wrecking crew"