December 16, 1944.

Chancellor Deane W. Malett,
University of Kansas.

Dear Chanceller l@lett: ;

I had pledged ne leng letters, but yeur communication of
December 12th prompts one. Certainly the newspaper discussions of our
internal problems did not emamate from this source. In fact, after it
erupted, I imhibited it from every possible angle.

The leng series of unpleasantries regarding eur cennection
with the auditorium floor stands out in bas relief.

| I am cognizant of the fact that by Tuesday night we will have

played twe games on the auditerium fleer, ome with Washburn and ome with
Reckhurst, and we have an entirely new team. Net a single man in the
_ Kansas lineup in the Washburn game had ever shot at a geal on the Audit-

erium fleer before the Washburn game. Ard after Tuesday night's game
we will have had but ome practice sessien there. Yet it was necessary
te reserve the auditorium fleor from Wednesday on fer the University
Vesperse Fine Arts artists must practice te get their erientation, but
basketball players shall note |

I have never wanted to trespass on the fleer and I de not now.
I wish that we might meve back te Rebinsen Gyanesi um where eur rights
are not questioned.

Dean ui etheot and I have leng been personal friends, as our
families have. But in the prefessional life it has been drastical ly
different. I remember ence when Chancellor Lindley was walking out of
Frank Strong Hall he said, “Isn't Swarthout a grand fellew?" I said,
"Yes, Chanceller, if yeu sive him everything he wants." I of course wis
speaking of him in a prefessional way.

I de net see what is te keep the Athletic Department of the
University and the Fine Arts Department from buying a fleor covering
with fasteners which would protect the fleer surface and at the same
time would shut out the ugliness te artistic eyes. The fleor has never
heretofore been treated as a basketball fleer. The seating for all con-
certs could be placed right over the canvas covering, and the only time
the canvas covering would be withdrawn would be at the time that games
were played there. The momey which has only recently been expanded
would not be wasted. The floor.covering in itself would pay for itself
by way ef protection. Of course, it is impossible to buy the canvas now,

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