The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-12
tcopyright, 1922, by I. \. 81


games.
copyright, 1922, by I. n. 81
Chicago. May 12.-Detroit threw
the 1917 American league pennant to
Chicago. according to George Weaver
former third baseman of the White
Sox, who took part in the alleged
fixed games.
The Tigers, he said today, deliber-
ately permitted the White Sox to win
seven games at the tail end of the sea
son when Chicago and Boston were
racing neck and neck for the flag.
The sensational charge that prac-
-t5cally the entire Detroit 1917 team,
= many of whom are still playing in the
American league, and all the White
Sox regulars. including several noted
stars. still with the club. were in on
the fixing of the games. was made by
Weaver.
Black SOx Formed Pool?
Each White Sox player. he alleged.
contributed s45 or $50 to pool which
was turned over to the Detroit players
Icy Charles C"Chick'D Gandl and
Charles ("Swede") Risberg-
Two years later. during the 1919
pennant race. the Sex reciprocated by
permitting Detroit to win four ball
games near the finish Of the season so
that the Tigers could get into the
zone. two, three" money, Weaver said.
Here is Viewers own story:
The first I ever heard of fixing
major league ball games was in 1917.
We wanted to win the pennant badly.
Pants Rowland clarence Rowland,
a present manager OF the Columbus
American association club, who was
cur manager, and Kid Gleason, VINO
was his assistant, had been telling US
in the club house time and again that
if we won the worlds series that year
COMFY (Charles A. COmiskey) would
write each of US a check for $4,000
regardless Of how much was taken in
at the gate during the worlds series.
That was to be our share-S5. 900.
Last Two Series Fixed.
''As the season neared the close. the
race became more and more exciting.
The strong Boston Red Sox were run
: ting US a neck and neck race. We
the Red SOX CUTS Besides. we knew
Detroit didn't want an eastern club to
win the pennant. So it was decided
to fix the last two series between our
club and Detroit.
"Gandil and Risberg collected the
money from the White Sox players. I
remember the occasion as well as if it
was yesterday. We were in Phila-
delphia and had an off day. Detroit
was in New York. have a sister liY-
ing at Stowe, Pa. my old home. and I
ran over to see her.
Thus It happned that did not put
any money in the pot to pay off De-
troit. During the collection of the
money, the question came up of how
about Oscar Vitt?' Some one said he
is 'Weaver's friend: Weaver will take
care of him. They knew had been
in the habit of visiting Witt at his Cal
ifornia ranch each fall and that we
were good friends.
Gave Him christmas Present"
when I made a short run home.
Gandil and Risberg had been allowed
of to take the money over to the
Tigers. 1t was just enough to buy
each one of them a suit of clothes
Just a little donation. They hated
Boston anyway.
I never did give Witt any money.
I waited until Christmas time and
gave him a nice leather bag.
We won the worlds series all right
but We never got the $5,OOO.''
Weaver named several PLAYERS now
with the White SOX as having con-
tributed to the pool. He said that
pitcher, now with the Sox-naming
) fm-had paid his share and that of
NO other players by check.
Weaver said that his reason for
"squawking' now is that it seems that
he is banished from baseball for all
time from all leagues, whereas, he
claims there are a score of players now
performing in the big show equally
as guilty as he and the half dozen
others who have been ruled out.
F'elsch Files Against Comiskey.
The court action in Milwaukee re-
lating to Mr.. Comiskey was filed in
behalf of Oscar (Happy) Felsch, an
other of the so-called black sox"
Felsch. in an affidavit. insinuates by
inferential questions that the "Old
Roman as ComislSey is called by his
friends. personally participated in the
alleged conspiracy to persuade the
Detroit club to throw the 1917 games.
Comiskey is now spending a vaca-
ton on his farm at Eagle River, Wis
Judge Kenesaw NJ. Lands. high
commission of baseball. refused to
discuss the Felsch action, saying he
guessed no one would pay much at
tention to what Felsch charges.
Detroit, May 12.-Characterizing as
ridiculous charges by Buck"
Weaver, banished White Sox ball
player. that the Detroit Tigers threw"
the American league pennant in 1917
trf abe Chicago American League team
I. tsarles F. Navin. secretary Of the De-
Edit cls!e, said today:
Il trust Detroiters will not even
consider seriously the charges of
weaver, much less believe him. He is
= discredited man, known to be dis
honest and in making the charge he is
unquestionably actuated by an Interior
motive