February 15, 1943.

Mr. thitney Martin,
Associated Press,
60 Rockefeller Plaza,
New York City.

Dear Whitney: -

@ non-=

You know, Whitney, that is one thing rule makers
cet away from, - and that is not to permit any official to rule on
intent. I tell a yarn about an eastern official, when a western team
went east, a player passed the ball in one direction and after passing
the ball the player cut diagonally across the court. When he was in
mid-court, going away from the progress of the ball, the official blew
his whistle and shouted, “On you - pick! (pick-off)". ‘he startled
western player turned in amazement and said, "Why, I haven't done any~

| thing.” “Yes, I know that, but I detected evil in your eye," seid the

That illustrates exactly what you would have if you
Gllowed a fellow to rule on intent.

| Whitney, you know the old penalty box idea was Dr.
Naismith's, but they only played with fow men when they were in the

penalty box.

Here's your evil if you would permit a fellow to go back
for the fifth foul. He would only ease up in his fouling at the fow'th
foul. Suppose you disqualified no one for any maber of fouls - what
do you think you would have? You would heave mayhem. It is much easier
for an opponent to grab on and hold a player in the middle of the court
eas 46 4a So wikes kin Ss Gy tx alk ants Howe Ges. pales if you
would not have a limitation on personal fouls you would have an unbear-
able situation. That is why the fourefoul rule has never bem taken
out of the book. |

!