Evening star., 1940-06-14
Owner Of Tribe
Sifts Charges,
Of Poor Rule
Can't Win Under Lash
Of Pilots Sarcasm,
Club Vets Declare.
BY LARRY HAUCK,
Associated Press Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports Writer.
CLEVELAND. June 14.-Manager
Oscar Witt of the Cleveland baseball
club, facing possible dismissal as the
aftermath of a mass demand by
players for his custer, was called
into conference with President Alva
Bradley today.
Veteran players carried their pro-
test personally to Bradley in a move
believed unprecedented in major
league baseball history. They told
the president they could not win as
long as Witt remained at the helm,
charging him with insincerity, ridi-
culing players and caustic public
criticism.
Witt expressed amazement when
informed by reporters of the protest
and at first believed it joke. He
declared he had no reason to be-
lieve any member of the club has
any ennity toward me-"
Nobody can say that I have not
given 100 per cent in energy to the
team" the gray-haired pilot de-
clared. Il can't imagine what could
have impelled them to do this. 1t
looks as if somebody has been STIR
ring up some trouble"
Bradley Making Probe.
Bradley at first kept the meeting
secret, but later admitted "a few of
the boys wanted certain things cor
rected."
Naturally I am going to look
into the matter" Bradley added.
but until have investigated thor
oughly I can't say what action will
be taken"
The Indians confronted the pres
ident on their return from a disas-
trous Eastern trip where they
dropped eight of thirteen games.
He refused to list the players who
called on him, but it was learned
authoritatively that most of the
veterans were present. At least
eight players were absent, including
veterans Roy Weatherly, Beau Bell
and AL Smith and Rockies Joe Dob
son, Lou Boudreau. Ray Mack, Clar-
ence Campbell and Mike Naymick.
They (the absentees didn't want
any part of the protest." spokes-
man for the group declared, "and we
were glad they didn't. We felt
Bradley would be more impressed
by the testimony of the fellows who
have been around long enough to
know what they're talking about"
Feller at Meeting.
Bob Feller, considered by some
the best pitcher in baseball. was
present at the meeting, one of the
veteran players said.
Bradley refused to discuss charges.
but it was understood these accu-
sations were made:
That Witt ridiculed his PLAYERS
In conversations with reporters,
fans and opposing players and man
ayers;
That he undermined confidence
and spirit of the individuals by sar-
castle comments on their failures;
That he had been insincere in
dealings with players:
mat he is wild man" on the
bench, communicating his "iitters"
to the players;
That his antics have made him a
laughing stock among other teams:
That he has persisted in compar-
ing the Indians unfavorably with
minor league teams he has man
aged, notably the Newark Bears of
1887, who won the Internationa
League pennant by 251a games.
Milnar, Trosky Criticized.
We are good ball club and
we've got a chance to win the pen
nant, but if he manages the team
all year we'll be lucky to finish
fourth" one player said.
Cleveland now is in second place
game and half behind the Red
Sox.
Several incidents on the recent
eastern trip were reported to have
brought the complaint to a head
and led to a discussion in a Boston
motel that resulted in the Bradley
interview.
In one Boston game, Feller was
oelng hit hard and some of the
(see TRIBE Page C-23