Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-01-30


Mohardt, saying neither was impli.
Gated in the affair.
Indications last night we're that Gus
Desch and John Mohardt Notre Dame
football stars, who were said 20 have
played with Carlinyllle, H., in the
professional game last fall against
Taylorville, ILL.,, which resulted in the
disqualification Of nine University Of
Illinois athletes, would be cleared OF
any connection with the collegiate
football scandal.
Developments tended to show that
Desch and Moharlt were innocent vic.
tins of a case Of false identity which
was the second instance of double
crossing in the bitter rivalry between
the two towns over the game on
which Cariinville people bet approx
mately $4,000 1t is said, after ,.ir-
ing ten college players for their cleY-
en-, only to find that Tayloryille had
learned Of the plan and procured nine
Illinois athletes for its team which
won, 1G to 7.
Both Desch, member of the Amer
lean Olympic team, and Mohardt, an
allAmcrcan half back selection, have
issued formal denials that they play
ed in the game and have presented
evidence to the Notre Dame authori.
ties at South Bend, Ind. that they
were in school the day of the con
test.
When the ,Carinyille people who
thought they HAD hired the two play
ers learned OF this they frankly de-
clared that undoubtedly they had
been imposed on by some persons US.
ing the names Of Desch and Mohardt
and that besides being beaten at their
own game of safe betting they had
been the dupes of the ringers they
hired to make the betting safe.
At South Bend, Desch ana Mohardt
presented their evidence at an infor-
nal meeting OF some members OF the
college athletic committee and after
wards these members expressed them
selves as of the opinion that the two
men were innocent and merely the
victims of circumstances. \ formal
meeting of the committee will be
nation gathered will be gone over.
The reports spread through Cariin-
vile previous to the game We're that
ten Notre Dame men had been pro
cured to play and that the game had
thus been cinched and the betting
made safe. "Desch. Mohardt and
Chester Wynne" whom the towns
people had been informed were Notre
Dame stars, were to appear in the
lineup, but Wynne also has positively
denied participation in the game and
announced that he can prove his as
SertiOns.
Knute Rockne. Notre Dame coach,
last night told the Associated Press
that the authorities undoubtedly
would take drastic action if the IN
vestigation showed that Notre Dame
men played in the game.
owe do not want to GO of half
cooked said Mr., Rockne, but we
are bending every effort toward a
thorough investigation Of each detail
of this affair. believe that Desch
and Mohardt are innocent. but can
readily sec how Carlinville people
might have been deceived into be-
lieving that De3ch and Mohardt were
PLAYING on their. team.
IF any NOtre Dame man is found
guilty Of playing professional foot
ball o. in any way violating the col
lege rules either in spirit or letter
we will not be the least bit lenieat
We cannot for we have to protect
our college and we must protect col
lege football from the encroachments
professionalism is trying to make on
it.
I'VE feel the highest regard for
the Illinois football authorities for
their action and | know that Notre
Dame will be severe if any Of its
men are found guilty"
Rockne has long been known as