September 2€, 1944.

Lt. Col. Henry W. Clark, ¢.8.C.,
Chief, Athletic Branch,
Headquarters Army Service Forces,
25 West 43rd Street,

New York 18, N.Y.

Dear Colonel Clark:

I am now making a reciprocal request and at the same time I am
making an explanation. I would please ask that you consider this
latter entirely confidential.

When _ wire arrived I took the same to. Ernie Quigley, our new
Athletic Director, asking for permission to goe Ernie and I had a
rather lengthy conference, but the implied reaction was that he would
dislike to see me gc at this time, However, he saw the situation and |
informed me that if possible he would endeavor to arrange matters quite
satisfactorily if the call came through.

I endeavored to call you in Omaha inasmuch as your wire was date-
lined Omaha. I wanted a little more information, if possible, so that
I could present it to the Chancellor. I found that you were in New York.

I had tried unsuccessfully a number of times to make an appointment
with our Chancellor, Deane VW. Malott. Finally, as my time was running
out before the expiration of your deadline on the 25th, I called the
Chancellor over the phone and read him your wire. As I suspected, he
was not overly enthusiastic. He is a member of our Rotary Club and I
asked if I could see him at the Rotary meeting, but he had other appointe
ments. I sent the wire to you without getting an approval from the
Chancellor, feeling that I wanted you to know that I was very anxious
to serve.

I told the Chancellor at an Athletic Board meeting once that if I had
an opportunity to get a commission that, while I would not seek one, I
would certainly accept one if it were offered me.

On Tuesday morning, the 26th, I had aneppointment with the Chancellor
and he was very adamant that I had no right to send the wire that I did.
I had consulted other peopia and they were very sure that the Chancellor
would not fail to honor the wegen’ 3 if it came through, but up to the
present he had.

I have been very active in war work here, being secretary of the
Selective Service Board, was chairman of the Douglas County Red Cross