February 9, 1942, —s_ Professor W. W. Davis, Department of History, University of Kansas. Pear Friend W. We: I am sending you some clippings from The Daily Oklahoman which I received in a letter from Stillwater ed to me marked "personal". You can see that the University of Oklse- homa authorities have not desisted in the least in their pro- selyting methods. I want to report to you on the Wichita incident regarding Jap Haskell. I saw two attorneys and got additional information in which one of thé attorneys declares he will have statements from a fellow down there who is a close cooperator with Jap Haskell. This fellow states that he took the Wichita High boys to Norman and was paid for it by the University of Oklahoma Athletic Association. Jap Haskell was the man who arranged for the trip, and not only was this Wichita cooperator of Haskell's paid for the car mileage, but he was paid for doing this job. This colleague of Haskell's umpires baseball gemes for Haskell in the summer time. And when we played Oklahoma in basketball three years ago at Wichita this man was the trainer for the Okla- homa basketball team. This man was a former student of Emporia College when Bill Hargiss was there. He is a sort of a profession- al trainer, more of an itinerant, ne*er-do-well fellow, but is in the exploy of Haskell at different times. This employment by , Haskell is generally in the summer time during the baseball season and not in Norman but in Wichita. Haskell umpires the semi-pro _ national baseball tournament each year at Wichita and this man is one of Haskell's assistants. You will understand that I em not the. auieealia etnnieiiee. I am definitely giving you this information, but the two lawyers that I am getting this from of course do not want their names used because it would affect them in their practice at Wichita. — I will give you the names of the two lawyers and the names of the principals, but in the letter to Mr. “elter Kraft I will want the nemes deleted. If you would have any reason to doubt any of the statements I would be glad if you would make a trip to Wichita and interview these two lawyers. One of the lawyers is a most out- standing attorney in Wichita with one of the outstanding firms, and the other lawyer is a younger man but quite successful, His repute- tion and integrity are 7 good. a] It takes the information that the two lawyers have to make the case against Haskell a perfect one. There is no doubt that Haskell and the rest of the Oklahoma staff are up to their ears in this activity, and it is my contention that Ii. Noble, the . president of the Board of Regents and the chief athlete getter, is giving these coaches every encouragement and support. It is @ game from the top dom. | Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education end Recreation, FCA:AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. ENC. February 10, 1942. them is a graduate of the K.U. Law School, having worked his way through the University. You will notice the information about Lester Layton. Of course he is not actually signed up with the Boston Red Sox, and Herb Pennock made a statement in the press that he was not. He isn't. But there is a gentleman's agreement that the Boston Red Sox pay his expenses college and then he will sign up, which is tantamount to a contract, but it avoids the technicality of signing a | In the Sunday Kansan there is further evidence of Oklahoma's proselyting. The paper says that Jap Haskell phoned this boy, Cossey. Any half-way intelligent person would know that Mr. Haskell is pretty active. Director of Physical Bducation and Recreation, FCA: AH ! Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. Enc e L. W. MAYBERRY, SUPERINTENDENT PAUL H. GOOD, Vick PRINCIPAL WicuHita HicH ScHOoL NortTH O. E. BonecuTTer, PRINCIPAL WicuiTa, Kansas April 8, 1942 Dr. Forrest C. Allan Director of Physical Education University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Dr. Allan: I am afraid George may have overstatéd the Significance of a Mr. Adams! visit to us last week. ir. Adams stated that he represented the faculty committee on athleties from Oklahoma University. He stated he was in Wichita for the express purpose of finding the conditions under which some of our North High Sehool boys made a trip to Oklahoma Uni- versity after the football season was coneluded. I assure you that I have been in no way embar- rassed by his visit. It is my understanding that the boys have been invited to eome to Oklahoma University, that their parents gave their consent and on this basis we gave our permission for them to be gone from North High Sehool. While I, too, would like to see Kansas boys attend our own schools, as far as I am concerned it is still the responsibility of parents to deter- mine where they shall attend. I am sure you will agree with this angle. I shall be very happy to talk with you any time that you may be in Wichita, dnd again assure you that I feel in no way imposed upon. Sincerely yours, Pt Lt GEaaey PHG:RJ a April 6, 1942. Mr. Julian Ralston, Bitting Building, . Wichite, Yansas. all AY hi wt ta | pag eS Hil 13 we ea Saas bead iit 4 o At i ae ‘i fae fa a | 8 58 1 it | 250. i iF AE 8 el i: i 8 af ul Ae 3 i a eda Hit 3 er gins asides bit + Hee ze rn ils ; ; ; +L i 3 zt me know >a for on end wi the Director of Physical Education and Recreation, Varsity 28 iis! FCAAH P.S. The name of the man at the University of Wichita is Dr. Laurence E. Morehouse. All I wanted you to do was to inquire as to the kind of a fellow he is and how he is ree garded in the commmity. Please be very discreet about making any inguiries because we haven't gone very far yet in our consideration of hin. PCA FAIRFIELD POLO CLUB WICHITA, KANSAS April 4, 1942 Dr. Forrest C. Allen Physical Education Department University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas — Dear Dr. Allen: I have just had a chat with George Powers and have learned from him that we stirred up quite a commotion. I. find from him that Dutch only saw a copy of my letter with- out the signature, as you stated. They have not been able to actually trace the matter to me due to the lack of the signature on the copy. They were able to trace George's letter due to the reference therein to Paul Good of North High School. This is somewhat unfortunate since an investi- gator from Oklahoma University, supposedly a representative of the faculty, approached Good and there was quite a little conversation as a result. George is somewhat irked about the use of Good's name since the information from that source was supposed to be strictly confidential. I have not had an opportunity to have a complete conversatim with George, but understand the Oklahoma investigator called upon him and spent an hour and a half in conversation trying to find out a lot of things. If you are coming to Wichita anytime soon, I suggest that you and George and I get together and go over this situation so we will all have full information. Neither George or I are the least bit disturbed about any feature of the whole situation except what I told you yester- day during our telephone conversation, and from George's standpoint, the Paul Good angle. Dr. Allen ae April 4, 1942 ; With very kind regards and looking forward to seeing you soon, I am Yours very truly, « Iam wondering if you can now give me the exact dimensions of the basketball back stop? I wish you would drop me a line on what particulars you wish covered or you wish checked up on the man at Wichita U. Incidentally, I am afraid I have lost the notation and do not have his name. JER . April 6, 1942. Mr. Paul Good, Viee Principal, North High School, Hichita, Kansase Dear Mr. Goods I em sending you a copy of a letter that I heve written to George Powers. I regret very much that you have been caused embarrassment and discomfort by the Oklehoma investigators. I would be glad to come to Wichita and personally clear up anything that I can, or write any letters taking full responsibility for any harm done. I do not want to incriminate anyone else in the deal at e I feel very you and reiterate my desire not to impose upon your friend- ship with George Powers. Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, PCA sAH Varsity Basketball end Baseball Coach. April 6, 1942. Mr. George B. Powers, 608 Fourth National Bank Bldges Wichita, Kansas. Dear George: Julian Relston has written me about commotion that has been stirred up by certain of the Oklahoma people. I ‘sent a copy of your letter, without giving your name, of course, to ow Professor Davia, faculty representative, and he in turn sent a copy to Walter Kraft, the Oklahom faculty representative. Apparently it was one of Mr. Kraft's oper- atives thet contacted Mr. Good, | e I didn't know thet I ws doing anything that would cause you embarrassment or discomfort, and as I will be glad to. come to Wichita to clear up the mtter and take full responsibility. I desire to have a visit with Mr. Good and explein to him that I had no desire to impose upon his friendship with you. I em very sorry if it has caused either of you any inconvenience. ee ee g a t Trusting that you will feel that I have not imposed upon you unduly, I am Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA:AH Varsity Pasketball and Baseball Coach. April 6, 1942. Mr. Leslie M. O'Connor, é Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, 333 No. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illincis. Dear Mr. 0*Comnor: Thank you very much for your note of March 16 in which you enclose a copy of Commissioner Landis's decision regarding tellege besebell playerse I apprec- fate your very prompt response to my letter. Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education end Recreation, FCA: AH Varaity Basketball and Baseball Coach. BASEBALL -NESAW M. LANDIS ; nN CcMM INS TONE 333 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE ae LESLIE M.O';CONNOR bic aae eae SECRETARY- TREASURER : March 16, 1942, Mr. Forrest C. Allen, A Director of Physical Education and Recreation, 1 University of Kansas, gs Lawrence, Kansas, Dear Sir: - aoe Aes eS pe oa TS" Im the absence of Commissioner Landis I am answering your letter of March 7, For your information I enclose copy of the decision mentioned in the Associated Press story. From that you will note that the Commissioner's interest is in the enforcement of our rules. He does not consider that he has any jurisdiction in respect to university coaches being paid for services rendered baseball clubs, Very truly yours, "Th Vaan BASEBALL, Cffice of the Commissioner, oo Nerth Michigan Avenue, Chicago February 24, 1942 In re PLAYER ANTHCNY RAVICH -In 1939, this player was signed by New York American League Club scout to an agreement--- "to sign contract with the Norfolk Club at the close of my college career, in consideration of the following pay- ments: lst payment June l, 1939 $250, 00 end . Sept. “FS, 7 1939 250.00 a 8 Aug, 15, 1940 750,00" The agreement bears no date, but the context indicates it was made pvrier to dune 1, 1939, . This agreement was withheld from filing and promulgation, in violation of the rules requirement that it be filed within 20 days of date made.. When the player was ready to report at the close ef his college career, Nerfolk decided it could not use him, and he was signed to contract with Amster- dam, another New York subsidiary, without the filing of any agreement by Norfolk transferring his contract to Amsterdam-~ which was, of course, another rules violation, Amsterdam decided his services were not worth the $750 bonus ccntracted to be paid August 15, 1940, and released him, whereupon the player signed a new Amsterdam contract with $250 immediate payment and "an additional bonus of $500 if retained after June 1, 1941." This should not have been approved (as the rules prohibit reduction of first-year contract cbligations te a player), but threugh an error in the National Association office it got by. When the $500 payment "if retained after June 1, 1941" came up, the player, as he states, "was once again apprgached to take part of the $500 and let the remainder go to a later date; and I demanded the full bonus or my release," Thereupon he was released, Notice hereby is given all clubs that such methods cannot be avproved,.. A first-year player must be paid all moneys agreed to be paid him under the eriginal contract, or he must be unconditicnally released. If released, he cannot be re-signed by the releasing club (er by any other club directly or indirectly affiliated with it) exgept upon complete and exact fulfillment 9f the terms of the original contract, No excepticns can be made in the absence of contingencies for which the club has had no responsibility and which result in failure of the club te secure the contemplated trial ef the vlayer's services, in which case an extension of the trial date (equivalent to the lost period) may be approved. As to the rules violation by withholding promalgation of the 1939 agreement, it is set forth by George Weiss, on behalf of the New York organization, that this was "solely because ef the effect it (filing) would have qn the player's college athletic career," (Another effect is that such nen-promlgeation sarees enables the club to contrel, secretly, the services of all players held under such "confidential" arrangements, resulting in inability to check the number of players controlled by the club and often enabling the club to violate the player limits.) It is further represented by Mr. Weiss that such secrecy is essential to | enable clubs to give "the benefits of college assistance to players," and that these benefits to players "far outweigh the only criticism-~-namely, that such a player is under the impression he is obligated to the club assisting him." As noted in the foregoing paragraph, there is alse the "criticism" that player centrel rules and limitations are evaded--- a factor which would be eliminated if the rules were changed (as occasionally has been suggested by clubs seeking te legitimatize such agreements) to authorize "confidential" filing, with the Comnissioner gr National Association president withholding promulgation, That, ef course, is inconceivable, as it would include them and the entire baseball organization in the false pretense, in which the player and club engage, that the player is honestly complying with college athletic eligibility rules, which in fact are being deliberately violated, The ebvious impropriety of that situation is in no wise diminished by the fact that college athletic officials often are fully cognizant of that violation and are participants therein, It is further revresented that it is not true that the player is "under the impression" that he is obligated to the club assisting him-~- that "all clubs are fully aware that these agreements or understandings do not bind the player," and that "there is nothing to prevent a player repudiating or insisting on a change in the terms of this agreement before signing with a club." The Elmer Gedeon (Washington) case on August 18, 1939, set forth: "It is stated that Washington's failure to ccmply with the foregoing rules (requiring filing and premulgation of the contract) was due tc request by the player that filing of the contract be withheld until after June 1. This, however, is no excuse for Washington's violation of these rules. They cannot be rendered inoperative py the player's request, particularly as they are indispensably necessary regardless of any desire of the player that his signing contract be withheld from promulgation, "These rules require that this contract be declared void; and all transfers of this player, having been based on this invalid contract, also must be, and are, declared void. "Notice is given all clubs that hereafter any club failing to comply with the foregoing rules (whether or not the player acquiesces in er requests such violation) will be prohibited from signing the player to a new contyact either directly or through a subsidiary or affiliated club." And in the Novakovich case (St. Louis A, L. Club), on March 4, 1941: "This document was, ef course, utterly worthless for any purpose other than causing Novakevich erroneously to telieve that he was under obligation to sign contract as therein mentioned, The player must be and is declared a free agent, except that the St, Louis American League Club (and any subsidiary or affiliate) may net contract with him within three yeers from date hereof." Of course, all clubs kmow, and always have known, that the rules invalidste all unfiled agreements. But it is exceedingly questionable whether players, in general, are equally aware of the complete absence of any legal obligation on their part under such a document, No doubt scme players find that out. How- ever, there is, and can be, no question whatsoever that these legally worthless documents do serve a purpose---first, of deluding many of the players signing them inte an erroneous belief that they are obligated; and, second, of establishing a moral obligation to go through with the arrangement or at least to give "the club assisting him" the first option on his baseball services. If it were otherwise, no club ever would enter into such arrangements. Notice again is hereby given all clubs that any club failing to comply with the rules requirement that such agreements be filed for promulgation within 20 days from date made (whether or not the player acquiesces in or re- quests such non-filing) will be prohibited from signing the player to a new contract, either directly or through a subsidiary or affiliated club; and that any and all new contracts of the club and its affiliates with a player with whom such an unfiled agreement has been made will be declared void, except as the rights of innocent transferees may have intervened (in which case such action will be taken as will remove from the rules-violating club all payments ‘er benefits accruing te it from the transfer). In addition, as to any such agreement made after this date and deliberately withheld from promulgation, a fine will be imposed upon each club involved and wpon each individual respon- sible for the non-filing. Kenesaw M, Landis, KML P Commissioner, mapril 10, 1942. ire George Powers, — Poulston, Sieficin, Rartlett & Morris, 608 Fourth National Bank Bldg., Wichita, Fensas Dear George: Thank you for your very generous letter of April 9. I. wish you would tell me more about this man Adams. I have & peculiar reason because he coached at Central College years ago when I coached et Searrensburg. He is not very friendly to me or to Kansas. I have had some connections with him indirectly, and I would like to get a little more of his background. Is he a good substaiitial fellow, or just a bluffer? By the way, Deen George Baxter Snith, of our School of Education, and I are planning to be in Wichita next Wed- nesday to look up Dr. Laurence Morehouse of “Wichita University. He has applied for a position on our staff for next year, and we wanted to see him in his own set-up. I wonder if you could secure a little confidential information about him for me? I - want to find out all atout his character, and especially about | his personality and efficiency in teaching. ‘Some of the people | ee who have met him think he is a little cocky, but I wouldn't : mind that a bit. I would rather have too mich of that instead of voluntery inertia. Could you conveniently learn what salary he is getting? I do not want to attach too much significance to our trip to “ichita, and ask that you keep this confidential. I would like very much to have you meet Dean Smith, a PheD,. from Columbia Teachers College, a fine, young, affable fellow, end a great educator. We won't have much time, but I would like to get in touch with you and meet some of the in- fluential people in Wichita. I want to show Dean Smith the good strong Kansas alumi there, and you being one I will let you lead us to cthers. We will leave here on the Rocket at 9330 which arrives in Wichita about 1 o'closk, I believe. : Drop me a line before Wednesday. | Sincerely yours, 3 shieediie: of Physical Education and eisai FCA:AH —s- Varsity Baskethnl2 and Baseball Coach. é f LAW OFFICES FOULSTON, SIEFKIN, BARTLETT & MORRIS SUITE 608 FOURTH NATIONAL BANK BUILDING ROBERT C.FOULSTON GEORGE SIEFKIN SAMUEL E, BARTLETT WICHITA, KANSAS — SIDNEY L. FOULSTON 8 | . solo. April 9, 1942 CARL T. SMITH C.H.MORRIS JOHN F. EBERHARDT Mr. Forest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog?: Ef have your letter of Apwil 6, I have discussed this matter with Paul Good and find that no one is embarrassed at all by the use of Paults name or by the fact that they discovered that I was the writer of th letter, In fact, I have nothing to hide at all and would just as soon you had used my name on the letter, except that I did not want to get my friend, Paul Good, in any difficulty. There is no reason for you to come to Wichita to attempt to explain the matter - @ll, as 1 am sure everything is fine in its present Ss atus. tI do look forward with considerable interest to telling you of my conversation with this Oklahoma representative, and I am sure you will get as much enjoyment out of the report of the conversation as 1 Ore, With kindest personal regards, I am = Very truly yours, SZ ‘ at Ae ae Of FOULSTON, SIBFKIN, BARTIETT & MORRIS GBP?:IK January 28, 1942, iN Mr. George B. Powers, ; Suite 608 Fourth National Bank Bldge, Wichita, Kansage Dear George: Thank you for your fine letter - keep up the good work. We will be in Wichita on Monday, and I wish it could be arranged some time for me to see Paul Good, but I don't want to interject my personality too deeply into the thing. | and Oklahoma, but I don't want Oklahoma to get out of mess lily-white. | get money for Al Gebert's football squad. Pete tmer been sore because of that. I have never done Lightner one ill deed, but just because Copeland promoted our games he has been against it. So far as I am concerned, I would like to see you burn him up. ae I*ll see you llonday when we come to Wichita. Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA:AH Varsity Basketball end Baseball Coach. see LAW OFFICES FOULSTON, SIEFKIN, BARTLETT & MORRIS SUITE 608 FOURTH NATIONAL BANK BUILDING ROBERT C. FOULSTON GEORGE SIEFKIN SAMUEL E. BARTLETT WICHITA, KANSAS SIDNEY L. FOULSTON LESTER L. MORRIS GEORGE B. POWERS Jganua ry 2 6 5 L9 42 ° JOHN F. EBERHARDT Dr, Forrest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog: I have been doing a little snooping around regarding the football situation at North High School. One of my closest friends is Paul Good, who is vice-principle of North High School. I talked with him yesterday in a confidential manner, He tells me that he personally talked to Doug Brown, who is the outstanding football player and captain of the team this year, regarding the trip of certain football players to Oklahoma University. Doug Brown told Paul Good that Jap Haskell had been up to Wichita and talked to them about coming down to visit Oklahoma University and that he agreed to pay all expenses of Che trips I believe they went in a car belongins to one of the boys, but expenses were paid by Oklahoma University. He questioned him particularly regarding whether it was Jap Haskell or his brother who had made the arrangements. He insists that Doug told him that Jap Haskell came up. : Paul Good asked him how he happened to go, and his reply was that of the typical high school boy -- that is, "Why not, if you could have a good trip with all expenses paid?" Incidentally, another group was Dr. Forrest C. Allen #2 January 26, 1942 taken down to Oklahoma A. & M. a few nights ago. Paul also informed me that if some- one would talk to Mr. Groe, head of the Physical Education Department of North High School, they could find out about the baseball situation insofar as this Wichita boy is concerned. Paul told me that he was a very fine basketball and football player, but that he was not allowed to play anything except baseball and that he thought there was no question but that he was signed up with the Boston Red Soxe Furthermore, Good assured me that Doug Brown was the type of individual who would not lie for anyone, and if anyone wanted to ask him about the arrangements for the trip to Oklahoma, he would tell them the truth about it. Incidentally, Mr. Good and Mr. Groe are neither K. U. athletes, and neither has any interest at all in K. U. but definitely feel that these boys should go to some school in the State of Kansas, and ‘that Kansas should retain their athletes in the State of Kansas. They have no particular school in mind but merely feel that we should not sit here md let the State of Oklahoma come into our territory and "buy" our outstanding players. Incidentally, someone should talk to this Doug Brown about going to K. Ue, as no one as Shown any interest in him as yete I further feel very positive on one point and that is that our local papers, particularly The Wichita Bagle, are not showing a friendly attitude Dr. Forrest CG. Allen #3 January 26, 1942 toward the University of Kansas or toward you as an individual. Their headlines at the time you were _ having your fuss with Oklahoma are not, in my opinion, friendly, to say the least, and I seriously considered organizing the K. U. alumni in a letter-writing attack on the Eagle. It is my opinion that no sports writer is secure enough in his job to stand much criticism, and wien letters begin to roll in to the editors of the paper, they usually put a stop to any offside attitude on the part of the sports editor. Unless he gets in Late, 2 am still in favor of doing something of this kind, I will be happy to see you when you are in Wichita, and we will see what else we can fim Out e I am Sincerely yours, GEORGE B, GBP :LK January 26, 1942. Dear Phog: i have been doing a little snooping around regarding the football situation at North High School. One of my closest friends is Paul Goody who is vice=principal of North High School. I talked with him yesterday in a confidential manner. He tells me that he personally talked to Doug Brown, who is the outstanding football player and captain of the team this year, re- garding the trip of certain football players to Oklahoma University. Doug Brown told Paul Sood that Jap Haskell had been up to Wichita and talked to them about coming down to visit Oklahoma University and that he agreed to pay all expenses of the trip. I believe they went in a car belonging to one of the boys, but expenses were paid by Oklahoma University. He questioned him particularly regarding whether it was Jap Haskell or his brother who had made the arrangements. He insists that Doug told him that Jap Haskell came up. Paul Good asked him how he happened to go, and his reply was that of the typical high school boy -- that is, “Why not, if you could have a good trip with all expenses paid?". ‘Ineidentally, ,another group was taken down to Oklahoma A. & Me a few nights agoe Paul also informed me that if someone would talk to Mr. Groe, head of the Physical Education Department of North High School, they could find out about the baseball situation insofar as this Wichita boy is concerned. faul told me that he was a very fine basketball and foot- ball player, but that he was not allowed to play anything except baseball and that he thought there was no question but that he was signed up with the Boston Réd Sox. Furthermore, Good assured me that Youg Brown was. the type of individual who would not lie for anyone, and if anyone wanted to ask him about the arrangements for the trip to Oklahoma, he would tell them the truth about it. ‘ Incidentally, lir. Good and Mr. Groe are neither K.U. athletes, and neither has any interest at all in KeUe buy definitely feel that these boys should go to some school in the State of “ansas, and