BASKETBALL GOLDEN JUBILEE inning

NAISMITH MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
Springfield, Mass.

 

MAYOR ROGER L. PUTNAM
Chairman November 1; 1941

Dre Forrest C. Allen
University of Kensas
Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Dr. Allen:

The article which you so kindly comtributed to the Naismith Memorial Souvenir
Program is certainly a grand piece of work and it will doa wonderful job, I
am sure, in the interest of the Golden Jubilee Campaign.

One reason I am writing you is that I was talking to John Doyle a few days ago.
He is an old friend of mine on whom I have frequently depended for good advice.
John happened to show me a letter which you had written him and when I told
him that I felt I knew you well enough to write you myself and mention the
letter, he said it would be alright.

What I have in mind is your reference to the fact that Springfield will benefit
by reason of the Naismith Memorial there. Obviously you are right, and there
is bound to be some feeling of criticism on the part of people who think about
this. It is nevertheless a fact that the primary purpose of the Temple of
Basketball is to benefit the game itself and to commemorate the mme of Dr.
Naismith. Just as Yale profited by the Walter Camp Memorial and Notre Dame
profited by the Rockne Memorial (both of which, as you mow, were erected
through public subseriptions) so Springfield, which gave basketball to the
sports world, is entitled to profit somewhat for that very reason if for no
other.

There is no doubt in my mind but that the game will benefit very definitely
through this national campaign. The cooperation which everyone seems to be
willing to give in its interest will serve to pull together the loose ends of
the sport, and will make it a more concrete and significant factor in the
category of athletics.

The reason I am going into such detail about the matter is probably a selfish
onee Frankly, we need all the help you can give us and we want you to pley a
part in this enterprise that is conmensurate with your high position in the

geme. You have been more than kind so far and I trust that you will continue

to lend us your support wherever possible. —
oe
Kind personal regardse fe

Sincerély yours,

271 Madison Avenue
New York, Ne Ye
Don Spencer