The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-01-27
COBB, SPEAKER
INDICATED OF
ALL CHARGES
CONTINUED from PAGE ons)

NCOntluue0 from PAGE O0o)
missioner Lands was in his offices
earlier, but left shortly before the
decision was given out.
Cobb was understood to be in Au-
gusta, Georgia, his home, and Speak.
FL in Cleveland.
Landis' Statement
The decision pointed out that the
mere announcement of charges Of the
character placed against Cobb and
Speaker, whatever the personality OF
motives of the accuscr, or the search
ty or even absence of evidence sup
porting the charges, would be harm
full to the accused players, experience
having shown that a vindication by
baseball authority, based upon /;
manifest insufficicncy or even q
total failure of supporting proof, had
been labelled white wash"
"Whilc they insisted they had nc
doubt of their ability to answer the
charges" the decision pointed out
they were concerned about the pos.
sible affect upon themselves and
others in whom they were deeply in
terested. They appeared to be par
ticularly disturbed respecting tho
situation of Joe Wood.
"Thcse considerations, as Cobb and
Speaker represented the matter ia
me, brought about their desire ia
quit baseball, despite their apprecia-
ton of the facts that such action
might be misconstrued. lnasmuch
therefore, as Leonard's attendance
could neither be induced nor en-
forced, the commissioner consented
that the hearing be put over indie
finitely, and it was understood that
would be the. end of the matter, un-
less conditions thereafter should so
change as to require a different
course. 1t was pointed out at the
time that number Of people knew
or had heard Of the Leonard charges
and of the Cobb and Wood letters
and the likelihood Of suspicion and
rumor resulting from retirement
in these circumstances of two players
of such prominence was fully dis
cussed. And it was definitely under
stood that the interests of all con-
ccrned might thereafter require "a
public statement setting forth the
charges and the answers.
Gossip and lsumOr Scored
"The American League directors
were informed Of the status Of the
players and that Cobb and Speaker
desired to leave baseball for the
reasons stated. Accordingly, the
Detroit and Cleveland clubs granted
releases and the American League
directors rcscindcd their resolution
calling for a hearing, with the same
understanding that this ended the
matter unless subsequent develop
ments should nccessitate a hearing
and publication. Shortly thereafter
gossip and rumor got busy. As
usually transpires when these two
kindly, sympathetic agencies are at
work, they left in their wake a
variety of progeny infinitely more
harmful to the individuals concerned
than the truth could possibly be.
Many press associations and scores
the facts. Therefore,
Cobb, Speaker and Wood were call
ed to Chicago and the situation laid
before them. They ALL realized that
untrue, distorted and garblcd ac-
counts were Delng lnnuenOOe0 ana
agreed that hearing had become
desirable, even with Leonard persist
ing in staying away.
Accordingly final effort was
made to induce him to attend, but
again he refused. The hearing was
held and the commissioner at once
issued the record for publication in
accordance with his definite under
standing with Cobb, Speaker and
Wood"