CARA
Re: aN

   

BASKETBALL GOLDEN JUBILEE

NAISMITH MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
Springfield, Mass.

MAYOR ROGER L. PUTNAM
Chairman November 28, 1941
Dr. Forrest C, Allen
Director of Physical Education and Recreation
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Dr. Allen:

Your letter of November 22 troubles me no little. Naturally, I can well understand
how you mst feel in view of your long association with Dr. Naismith, to find that
the Memorial in his honor is planned for a site other than that which you had in
mind -= namely, the University of Kansas.

I know you had a great deal of respect for Dr. Naismith and that he was a dear
friend of yours, and I can easily understand how upset you must be to see his
picture which, as you say, was that of a kindly pedagogic scientist, transformed
into a dapper-looking professional man. But you will agree with me, I am sure,
that these are merely unavoidable accidents which are part and parcel of every
campaign or undertaking, especially where a man is being immortalized by a monu-
ment in his honor. Our artist wanted to present Dr. Naismith at his best, and the
portrait is the artist's conception of him.

I know how much you have done for Dr. Naismith, both in the way of seeing to it
that he was given his due in life, and that justice be done to his Memorial. There
are many like you who would like to see the Memorial placed at Kansas where

Dr. Naismith lived and worked so long, but the motivation for the campaign as well
as the initiative behind it came from Springfield, Mass., the site of the first
game, and naturally, they have a just claim on Dr. Naismith as the founder of the
Games

The one consolation I have in this matter which affects you so personally is that
I know your friendship and respect for Dr. Naismith is unselfish and that, as you
yourself say, it is not a case of “sour grapes."

The important thing to my mind is not that the place of the Memorial is to be at
Springfield, Mass., but that the Memorial is to rise in Dr. Naismith's honor,
regardless of where it happens to bee The sport which you love and he loved will
profit immeasurably by reason of this campaign and the Temple of Ba all, and
I feel sure you will not stand in the way of its success.

  
 
 

With kind personal regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Don Spencer
271 Madison Ave., NeYeCe