FRED MEDART
MANUFACTURING Co.

 

 

 

POTOMAC AND DEKALB STREETS SAINT Lovis. Mo.

R. E. WEINZETTEL
SALES PROMOTION MANAGER January hy 191,0

Dr. Forrest C. Allen
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Phogs

Last month I had quite a session with Porter in Chicago for the purpose of
finding out what opportunity we had of getting the convex basketball back-
board of modified size and shape, approved as optional equipment at the
next meeting in March.

This was a lengthy session and was largely given over to the question of
how we could get a patented item approved by the Committee and still avoid
the appearance of establishing a monopoly. More about this angle later,
but what I want to talk to you about now has to do with presenting this
convex backboard idea before this Committee.

Porter seemed to be of the opinion that you, as Chairman of the Research
Committee, should have some data available covering investigations or re-
search made by you and possibly others comprising your Committee, and we
are wondering whether we can count on you to work up something prior to
this sesSion so we can bring this matter to a vote.

We have had some very encouraging information to date, namely, that Hickox
is a booster of the new convex board, and also a vote taken by Good of
Williamsport indicating that of 18 coaches who inspected or used the board
at the Williamsport Y.M.C.A., 13 were in favor of it, 3 disapproved, and 2
were non-comittal. At the same session, which extended over several
months, 237 players were interviewed and 178 approved the convex board, 0
disapproved, and 19 were non-committal.

John Bunn also writes under date of December 28 advising that they have had
quite a little time in which to judge the board we gave them and that he
had received many satisfactory comments and no criticisms. Bunn seems to
be concerned over the question of expense and states that it will be neces-
sary for the Rules Committee to consider this item as well as the playing
advantages if the new board is adopted.

In other words, Phog, this desire of ours to have the convex board come up
for a vote in March is not going to be so easy and we are trying to learn
just how we can go about having this board approved. Certainly the coaches
over the country who have had an opportunity to work with the board have
many reasons to approve it, amd the records speak for themselves.

STEEL LOCKERS___STEEL WARDROBES____ STEEL SHELVING____GYMNASIUM APPARATUS____GYM SEATS____ BASKETBALL BACKSTOPS____PLAYGROUND APPARATUS