Evening star., 1947-04-04
FiIchoek Mum While
Critics Vary Over
Bell S Decision

Frankie F1lchock, his pro f00CDall
career in the National League ap-
parently ended by an indefinite
suspension slapped on him by Com
missioner Bert Bell, had no COM
ment on his future today. Earlier
the one-time Redskin reserve quar-
terback was quoted as saying he ex-
pected to play football next season,
although he didn't know where.
Filchock was asked if he would
accept Bells verdict without pro-
test and replied that he was mot
saying anything" He was asked If
Bell had notified him personally Of
his decision, but frankie said he
didn't know.
Bells decision in the case of Fill
chock and Merle Hapes, backfield
stars of the New York Giants, cul-
minated an intensive New York
police investigation into football
gambling that broke wide open last
December, early on the morning OF
the championship play-off between
the Giants and Chicago Bears.
Hapes was barred from the game
but Filchock, protesting his inno-
cence, was permitted to play and
turned in one of the best games OF
his career, although the Giants lost.
Thinks Punishment Stiff.
Hapes, who recently accepted a
coaching position at the Bryan Con-
solidated School near Jackson, Miss,
told the Associated Press Bells ac-
ton "was a little bit stiff"
TITS a bunch of baloney about
hurting the league" he added. "All
they got against us is just not re-
porting the attempt. don't think
we did anything to hurt the league.
but I'm through with professional
football anyway"
Testimony at the trial of the four
showed that neither Hapes nor Fill
chock had accepted the bribes Of
fered. Bells ruling followed on the
heels of the sentencing of three
New York men, David K. Krakauer,
Harvey Stemmer and Jerome Faro
witz, who received prison sentences
ranging up to Is years for attempts
ing to bribe the players to throw
the game Alvin Paris, who al
legedly made the actual attempt
to bribe the players, has been found
guilty and will be sentenced Mon
day.
Tough Decision for Bell.
Bell said it was the toughest de-
cision he ever made and it bars the
suspended players from employment
of any kind with any club in the
National League. While 1t is pos
sible they might be signed by the
rival All-America Conference, it is
highly improbable that members
of that circuit would make such a
move.
While the suspension was greeted
with approval in New York, more
than one Washington fan thought
it was weak, unfair and unjust.
Either Filchock and Hapes were
guilty or innocent, many fans
thought, and should have been re-
stored to good standing or barred
outright.
But, as one columnist pointed out,
Bell had to walk a legal tightrope
to make his decision. Since neither
was guilty of accepting bribe, they
couldn't be expelled for life on that
count. No provision in the leagues
constitution actually covered the
peculiar situation, except the elastic
line pertaining to actions detri-
mental to professional football" !"
Bell ruled against the pair on that
count. Obviously he kept his guard
up against a libel action by sus-
pending them indefinitely 1t Is
a foregone conclusion that neither
Hapes nor Filchock ever will be re-
stored to good standing in any
canacity. l.. F.. A.