New Britain herald., 1927-01-27
COBB AND SPEAKER
 FREED OF CHARGES
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(Continued from First Page) made, but they vigorously denied that the game had been fixed and they insisted upon opportunity to face their accuser. Leonard. how ever, persisted in his refusal to come, and despite the fact that his attendance could not be forced, the hearing was finally set for Novem- Der 29, and all parties, including Leonard and the American League president and directors, duly noti- fled. Leonard replied that he would rot be present.
 Both Players Appear.
 Cobb and Speaker appeared on November 27 and were informed of Leonard's attitude. whereupon they canvassed the whole situation with the commissioner and reached the conclusion that they would rather quit baseball than have a hearing with their accuser absent. Their reasoning was: The mere announce ment of charges of this character, whatever the personality or motives of the accuser, or the scarcity or even absence of evidence supporting the charges, would be harmful to the accused persons, experience hav- ing shown that 8 vindication by baseball authority, based upon a manifest insufficiency or, even a to- tai failure of supporting proof. has been labeled a 'white-wash.' While they insisted they had no doubt of their ability to answer the charges, they were concerned about the pos sible effect upon themselves and others In whom they were deeply interested. They appeared to be particularly disturbed respecting the situation of Joe Wood.
 Reasons For Retirement.
 "These considerations. as Cobb and Speaker represented the matter to me, brought about their desire to quit baseball. despite their appre- citation of the fact that such action might be misconstrued.
 "Inasmuch. therefore, as Leon- ards statement could neither be in- duced nor enforced. the commis-- sioner consented that the hearing be put over indefinitely, and it was understood that would be the end of the matter, unless conditions thereafter should so change as to require a different course. It was pointed out at the time that a num- Der of people knew or had heard of the Leonard charges and of Cobb and Wood letters and the like lihood of suspicion and rumor re- sulting from the retirement in these circumstances of two players of such prominence was fully discussed And it was definitely understood that the interests of all concerned might thereafter require a public statement setting forth the charges and answers.
 Directors Were Informed.
 "The American League directors were informed of the status of af- Idl1 5 ellu lIltiL SoDo dllu SpCuhSi uS- sired to leave baseball for the req sons stated. Accordingly, the De- troit and Cleveland clubs granted releases and the American League directors rescinded their resolutions calling for a hearing, with the same understanding that this ended the matter unless subsequent develop ments should necessitate a hearing and publication.
 Shortly thereafter gossip and ru- nor got busy. AS usually trans pires when these two kindly, sympa- thetic agencies are at work, they left in their wake a variety of pro- geny infinitely more harmful to the concerned than the truth could possibly be. Many press as sociations and scores of newspapers were persistently demanding the facts. Therefore, Cobb, Speaker and Wood were called to Chicago and the situation laid before them. They all realized that untrue, distorted and garblcd accounts were being and agreed that a hear ing had become desirable, even with Leonard persisting in staying away Accordingly, a final effort was made