Dee. 12,1779

Mr, Bill Gray :
Sunshine Mantel Co. ‘
Chanute, Kan,

Dear Bill:

I read with interest Mr. McBride's sport comment dated Dec. ll,
1940 , in which you say that "Phog" Allen is a prevaricator when he says he has never
subsidized a basketball player. I happen to know that he has ." |
With that statement from you I would appreciate it, yes, in fact
I would insist, that you write Mr. McBride and tell him about all the Imowledge that
you have régarding subsidizing that I did. I am perféctly willing that lir. McBride
print every word that you write and I will excersize the same option . ;
Doubtless you may refer to the case of Nalph Miller. So that Mr,
McBride will have full information regarding this discussion 1 am sending Mie him a
carbon copy of the letter I am writing to you.
If my memory serves me correctly, I recall that I was invited
to your home for dinner one Sunday evening. AT that dinner were a number of Chanute
people whe were desirious of seeing Ralph Miller attend the University. I attended
that meeting and discussed with Ralph Miller the adavantages of attending the Universit...
This was in the presence of eight or ten of your friendswhom you had asked in. At no
time during any of my discussion did I mention subsidization in any shape or form.
There was no promise of a job by me nor was I consulted by you or any other individ-
ual regarding a job or subsidization for Miller,
~ I learned later,indirectly, that there was a group of Chanute
business men who desired to help him in college. I was not a party to this ,knowingly
or otherwise. There were no intermediaries and all I did was talk to him about the
davantages of the University and I did it in an opens and frank way, making no promises
and working with no one, not even youp If you deny this fact then I withhold the in-
herent right to characterize your assertions in the same manner that you have charac-
terized mine . | :
I still stand on my statement that I have never subsidized a

basketball player.

Very cordially yours;

Forrest C. Alien