August 26, 1940

Mro Ralph Miller

c/o Cross-Section Department
Kansas State Highway
Masonic Building

Topeka, Kansas

My dear Ralph:

I have just returned to Lawrence from my week in Topeka
at the Coaching School and I have been learning some very disquieting
things regarding your attitude and the things that you have been saying
concerning Kansas basketball. These statements are not mrer heresy, but
are things that you have said to University of Kansas people.

For nearly a year I have noticed you seem to be fighting your-
self not only in athletics but in social and other contactse The things
that I say to you are said with the full kmowledge of all of our previous
relationshipse You will remember our conversation to Chanute when
you were making up your mind regarding Kansas and Stanforde I told you
that if you would come to the University and make an outstanding scholastic
record and be the example on the campus that you should be, that I
would recommend you as freshman coash in the University, and I had
hoped that your football play would be of such high caliber that
the football coach would want you as, at least, a freshman assistant,
if not freshman coache When you wanted certain favors in the way of
a@ position for your girl friend, I did this not because she was incapable
but she was a fine outstanding girl and could earn every penny that she
worked fore At the same time I did it to show you that I would cooperate
with you one hundred percent. Then when your brother came to college,
you asked me for a job for him and I did it willingly and happily.

At no time have there been any reservations in my mind
regarding my desire to help you as a man, but I did not do it on account
of your athletic ability. I have never believed that anybody's athletic
ability could carry him very far unless they had the other things that
it takes. It is needless for me to go into a long resume of the things
that I have innately and conscientiously desired to do for youe I am
afraid I have reached the limit of my helpfulness to youe Infact, I am
certain of it when you make the statements that you doe It is for that
reason that I am writing you this letter before school opens, to appraise
you of the fact that it would be impossible for you to play on the Kansas
Varsity Baketball Team this year with the attitude that you now possesse