June ‘: 1940 — ee ‘ Topela, Kansage c Dear Jims The NeCeAche district play-off, the seni«fineis, vind tie Chatto are not considered posteseason ges by the Natt onal Collegiate Athletic Associati ans Sen actaaura, Wi aneetine ix tow Yor, ee cided that they would have a basletball championship the same as the NeCeleAe has a track championship at the end of ‘the sumer. There are eight collegiate districts in the (hited States, as you lmow, ) east of the Mississippi River : ' i i: gf * Fe at ere ant Ot ee rer enenenrniy One: Seren srewritey een eee Re & gs poe A tee ee Se ¢ 4 a ae We : \ ‘ a: % “ws 2 . é ? « : ; : i z . s f April 15, 1940. aati Governor Payne Ratner, Topeli., “ANSGSe Dear Governor Retmers _ Confirming our conversation of this morning : your gracious invitation to dine with you and Mrs. Tatner at the executive mansion on Wednesday evening, I en sending you the persaiel of the groupe I am also giving you the residences of the boys, thinking you might be interested in this informations | Die and Mrse Allen Bob Allen, . Lawrence Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCAsAH . Varsity Basketball Coache : March 2, 1940. Honorable Payne Ratner, Governor of Kansne, Topeim, Kansas. Dear Governor Retners : " % pead your wire to the boys last evening, and everyone of them greatly appreciated it. They perticulerly edmire your fine spirit of democracy. The fact thet you can step dum fron your high office as Governor of Xansas and rub elbows with _ the boys ms the thing that pleased then moste We were happy thet we could win for you and for the other loyal supporters. Your mossage was @ great inspiration to the boyse BS With deep appreciation and best wishes, I am Very sincerely yours, Direetor of Physical Education and Recreation, FOAsAH Varsity Basketball Coache Dre Fe C. Allen and Kansas Basketball Team: All Kansas is pulling for the team tonight. My family and I will be there to help roote Regardless of who wins we all kmow Kansas will do her best and that the state will be proud of your fighting spirit and fine sportsmanshipe Good lucke Payne Ratner, Governor of Kansase March 5, 1940. Mire Floyd As Rowe, Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohicve Dear Floyds 2 | | I have been ashamed of in promising you this letter so many times % I have returned to the office tonight to take care of this : il for you. I hope, however, that it has not been so long that this informetion will arrive too late for your DUPPOSSS e i Answering your questions in orders le ‘There are 640 colleges playing football, so I immgine thet it would be safe to say there are 1,000 colleges pleying basketball @s & minimum. This is not coumting the jumior.colleges. The coaches, trainers, caretakers, end so forth, for varsity and fresh- men would maiber at least 10 or 12, so I would say 12,000. 2e The highest salary paid any college basketball coach in the Big - ten, I believe, is $7,500. I do not lmow what Clair Bee or some of here is $5,200 as director of the zi Educatione Incidentally I coach and $2,100 of this $5,200 that I receive is paid for basketball ¢ So you see I have never taken basketball as my main vocation. I have been offered goodly courte I believe that $500,000 a field house would be a very modest oe cet £5 atiyaea 378 a-63ie digie gE fet is Ht : ie lie i! Hal ow anil ah ital ignii ei! tsa He a0 lala: Ly af nah Tie aghany Hi stn ee ea li ea 5 ied ak i 3 4a ohh se one Hea jfebt fel] HG! hua if acer tad aie ey if states i ue bine i i HF i eae 36° P : go 4}5 38 RI he i Hil wi ie ty iat ee pl sqgHldjiive: pod tab Hate i ; La te uh qt Hu aff on, With Idindest regards to you, I am Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Edueation and Recreati Varsity Basketball Coachs | jumiors. FCA sAH DEPARTMENT oF : INSTRUCTION February 12, 1940 Dr. Forrest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog: At the present time, I am in the throes of preparing a paper on the vocational aspects of competitive athletics in both high school and college, As a background for the proper presentation, I should like to have some of the following facts which I believe you can give me in general, The facts do not have to be particularly accurate; I would like them, however, to be sufficiently accurate as to withstand criticism. Please be sure that in presenting these facts, I will give credit to the individuals who have been kind enough to furnish them to me, I should like to know: 1. How many college people are interested professional in basketball? That means coaches, trainers, caretakers, etc. 2. The highest salary paid any college basketball coach, and the average salary for college basketball coaches, 3. The approximate number and capital cost of field houses, gymnasiums, etc. erected primarily to house college basketball. 4. The approximate gross receipts of college basketball. 5. Your opinion would be better than any one else's, I know, on the number of people there are outside of high school and college basketball who are making a living out of basketball. (I am thinke ing of fellows like Needles and that outfit who are without question making the major portion of their living out of handling alleged Yamateur" teams). 6. Would you have a reasonably good idea of how many of these allegedly amateur players there are, and what percentage of them are really earning their way ont of basketball by having secured jobs on the basis of their basketball ability? 7. There is another group I would like to have your best estimate on - the mumber of men who are out-and-out professionals who are making a considerable amount of money out of basketball, either as players, promoters or coaches, ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE PERSON SIGNING Dr. Forrest C. Allen Page 2. February 12, 1940 I appreciate the fact that this is a pretty big assignment, but if there is any one man in the United States whose answers to the above questions © would be accepted as reasonably accurate, you are the fellow, I don't know of anybody (and I don't think any one else knows of any one) who has as wide a general knowledge of basketball over the United States as you have. This is not the bunk just to kid you along to get the answers, I am telling you what I actually think. At the time of the championship game at Kansas City, I presume members of the Rules Committee will be complimented with tickets. While I don't want to be different, and don't want to cause any trouble, if I could have a pair of tickets in the balcony at approximately the corner of the — » I would be made . happye I find it bothers me to get as mich “out of a basketball game as I should, sitting on the same level as the players and at the center of the floor at the sidelines, If I can be near the corner of the floor upstairs where I can look down on the players and where 1 can see both backstops, and where it isn't necessary for me to keep turning my head to follow the play, I get a lot more out of the game. If you don't have anything to do with the tickets and will let me know who does, I will bother him directly with my request. With personal regards and looking forward to seeing you, I am Sincerely yours Floyd 4. Rowe, Directing Supervisor FAR: McG Bureau of Physical Welfare ! Mite Floyd Ae Rowe, oo ee dace’ pit mE gst at, a A +i ti ely it a a Hi Sincerely vours, Secretary to Dre Fe Ce Allene March 6, 1940. Fratermiily, . Director of Physical. Bdusation and Recreation, FOAsAH Varsity Basketball Coaches CLAW OFFICES OF McGILL,CASTOR, ELCOCK & ROGERS GEO. MCGILL HARRY C.CASTOR THOMAS E.ELCOCK VICTOR J- ROGERS J. PAUL JORGENSEN pr. F. C.: Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog: SCHWEITER BUILDING WICHITA, KANSAS March 4, 1940 Best of luck in your game with Oklahoma. Fraternally, VIR/w —_— oe RE seria: This is a full rate Telegram, Cablegram or Radiogram unless otherwise gy by _ signal in the check or in the address OL DAY LETTER NL NIGHT LETTER NM NIGHT MESSAGE DEFERRED CABLE NLT | NIGHT CABLE LETTER STANDARD TIME INDICATED ON THIS MESSAGE Form 16: RxOCg 25 DL=H TOPEKA KANS 523? MAR 8 1940 DR FORREST "PHOG™ ALLEN & MEMBERS OF KANSAS UNIVERSITY BASKET: =BALL TEAM CR OKLA U- NS eee MOM 8 PHS 45 ATHLETIC DEPT NORMAN OKLA: =DO TO “OKLAHOMA WHAT YOU DID TO MISSOURI. YOUR HOME STATE Is “PROUD. OF You AND PULLING FOR A BIG SIX CHAMPIONSHIP TONIGHT. g00D LUCK: PAYNE RATNERe (41)o+ Telephone Your Telegrams to Postal Teleqvaph RSs MCAT Cet Secs eee THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM et y LETTER NL NIGHT LETTER NM NIGHT MESSAGE Commercial CaN Qll America Lco | DEFERRED CABLE Cables te : Cables NLT RADIOGRA M IMOMARH2 PM<4- Bl RYXK 4 58 Die TOPEKA KANs 12 415P " ' n MpHog® ALLENS K uy BASKETBALL ‘COASH= SORRY PREVIOUS IMPORTANT OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT MAKE S Tv IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO BE AT THE GAME TONIGHT, HOWEVER ‘THERE WELL BE A MEMBER oF THE RATNER FAM LY ROOTING FOR KANSASs | AM SENDING DARB (young PAYNE ) AS My PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE , AND: HE HAS PROMISED TO ROOT. HARD ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF ‘USs BEST WISHES TO You AND THE SQUAD= ‘PAYNE RATNERS Telephone Your Telzgrams to Postal Telegraph NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. NATIONAL FEDERATION H. S. A. A. - Y.M. CLA. - C’ANADIAN I. A. U. and A. B. A. of NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE of the UNITED STATES and CANADA CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES Executive H. H. Satmon, Jr. Research Forrest C. ALLEN Game Administration Sumner A. Dote Complete List of Committee Members F. C. Allen Univ. of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas John Brown, Jr. 347 Madison Ave. New York, New York John Bunn Stanford Univ. Palo Alto, California Forrest Cox Colorado University Boulder, Colorado J. H. Crocker Univ. of Western Ontario London, Ont., Canada M. C. Cunningham High School Desloge, Missouri Sumner A. Dole Connecticut State College Storrs, Connecticut J. Mark Good Sun-Gazette Co. Williamsport, Pennsylvania E. J. Hickox Springfield College Springfield, Massachusetts A. F. Jefferess 114 Carrick Ave. Hamilton, Ont., Canada Frank P. Maguire Dept. of Public Instruction Harrisburg, Pennsylvania H. G. Olsen Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Curtis Parker * Centennary College . Shreveport, Louisiana H. V. Porter 11 S. LaSalle St. Chicago, Illinois Floyd A. Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas, Texas H. H. Salmon, Jr. 40 Wall St. New York, New York Oswald Tower Andover, Massachusetts Publication Oswatp Tower Questionnaire H. V. Porzer Vice Cuairman, JOHN BUNN Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Calif. Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio Epitrorn, OSWALD TOWER Andover, Massachusetts Cuairman, H. H. SALMON, Jr. 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Secretary, H. V. PORTER 11 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois March 12, 1940 Dr. Forrest CG. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog: First of all, let me thank you for your dandy letter in regard to the information on basketball. I think you know me well enough to know that I don't kid people very much — that is, excepting when everybody knows it. What I am trying to say is that I really meant what I said about your being the best posted man in basket- ball in the United States, in my judgment. I am coming to you for advice again, because I think that the affairs of the National Basketball Committee and their proper functioning are of more importance than the personal interest of any single member of the group. | Under date of September 27th, I wrote St. John, voicing my mind and displeasure at the way "June" Salmon failed to respond to correspondence, Under date of February 13th, I suggested a change in chairmanship of the committee another year, and said that Porter and myself, in talking the thing over, had agreed that you would be a highly satisfactory chairman, and further that because of your long years of service in basketball, you had the honor coming to yous In response to that letter, Saint said he agreed with me thoroughly in that you would make an excellent chairman and that you had the honor coming to you.e However, he went the next step and said that while he was for you and always had been, he felt that your election to the chairmanship might establish a precedent which should be discouraged - namely, that of having as chairman of the committee, an active basketball coach. I suggested to Saint that I would like to see either you or John Bunn elected chairman - probably Bunn, because of his being Vice Chairman, and of your being elevated to that position because of your long service in basketball, Dr. Forrest C. Allen Page 2. March 12, 1940 Some time later, in response to that letter, Saint wrote that John Bunn and Salmon would not be on the committee another year, and that while he was for you and always had been, he doubted the advisability of establish- ing the precedent of electing an active basketball coach to the position of chairman of the committee, He suggested at that time that St. Clair would make a good chairman, and then wrote what I took to be a complimentary paragraph in which he said that so far as he was concerned, he would like to see me chairman of the committee, My response to this letter was that St. Clair would make a good chairman, and that all I wanted in a chairman was some one who would reply to correspondence, would give service to basketball throughout the year, not just preside effectively at its meetings, and concluded by saying that I thought St. Clair might be a happy selection. Copies of all this correspondence I sent along to Porter, because of the fact that we, between us being the only two remaining officers, had to handle the preliminary organization meeting in Kansas City. Under date of March 9th, Porter wrote me as per attached COpye Now, I would like to have you be very, very frank in this matter, as I am sure you will. To propose my name as chairman of this group will draw the open and active enmity of John Brown, Whether that will carry over to any other members of the group, I cannot say. This being the case, I am raising the general question as to whether or not it is advisable to go forward with this suggestion of St. John's, in view of the fact that the election of some one else to the chairmanship might suit all members of the committee better, Please be very frank about this, Phog, because while I am highly appreciative of Saint's suggestion and with Porter's acceptance of it, I wouldn't want to be chairman of the committee at any expense at all to the service of basketball. With personal regards and many thanks for your good advice, I am Sincerely yours a FAR?:NcG Treasurer NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE Mareh 9, 1940 Mr. Floyd Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio Dear Mr. Rowe: Yesterday I had a conference with St. John. As a result, I have a slightly different slant relative to the matter of officers for the National Basket- dall Committee. When I wrote you I had a notion that the collegiate group would probably insist on choosing one of their number for chairman. For that reason I suggested that if it met with the wishes of the group that you and I continue in our present offices and that one of the collegiate representatives be made chairman. St. John is of the opinion that enough of the collegiate representatives will be open-minded in this matter to warrant proposing you as chairman, I am in hearty accord with this proposal, if there is a reasonable chance of securing the support of some of the college men. With this in mind, I am suggesting as a plan of procedure that you open the meeting on Saturday morning and immediately appoint a Nominating Committee. Probably a good committee would be Olsen, Maguire and Hickox. At any rate, I suggest you give this slate a little consideration. It seems to me that a good line-up wuld be yourself as Chairman, Allen or St. Clair as Vice-Chairman, Schwarts as Treasurer and, if it meets with the approval of the group, I might continue as secretary. Tower would be continued as editor. You will note that I have sugzested a new member as treasurer in case you are moved up to the chairmanship, I do not know Schwarts but St. John is of the opinion that he would be a good man f6ér this and there would be the advantage of being fairly certain that he will be on the committee for a period of at least four years. St. John is planning to confer with Olsen and I have asked him to write Crocker since he has worked with him for many years. It is my understanding that Crocker will not be present but he will send his assistant to represent him at the meeting. Let me have a line from you relative to your reaction to these proposals, Yours truly (Signed ) H. V. PORTER Secretary HVP/ J Copy to: F. C. Allen From: Floyd A. Rowe March lZ, 190. Henorebie Payne He aiamintas Governor of Tanses, Tepela, Kansage Dear Governor Ratner: , Agein we ave deeply grateful to you for your - loyel support. of the basketball team. Your thoughte fulmess in sending the wire to us at Wichita meant a great deal to the boyse Tith sincere appreciation and best wishes, I a Cordienlly yours, Kiveotor of Pixysical Bhuoation and Recreation, PCAs All Varsity Basketball Coache PeSe I appreciated also yow wiring us at Normen. I had Cob Burnside, Bob Lynn and other Kansas alwmi with me, end I passed your wire around to then. Tt was greatly appreciated by a mmber of Kansanse FPeCohe Public Schools, Kansas City, Missouri LIBRARY BUILDING NINTH AND LOCUST STREETS GEORGE MELCHER, SUPERINTENDENT C.S. ROBINSON ASSISTANT TO SUPERINTENDENT March 20, 1940 Dr. Forrest Ce. Allen, Director Physical Education and Recreation University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Bear Doc; I want you to know that I did not go to sleep immediately after sending my last letter to youe One of our high school band directors is also director of the American Legion band of this city. In an attempt to secure the services of this American Legion band I con- tacted Mr. Ryder, the director. I was astonished to find that the musicians' union had refused to permit s even this band to appear in civic programs. The American Legion band was scheduled to play at the track meet Monday night and a few hours before the track meet was called the American Legion band was removed from the list and the musicians' union placed a band at the Auditorium. Still trying to serve you, I am Sincerely, OA bameor C. S. Robinson Assistant CSKsMG DEPARTMENT Or INSTRUCTION March 21, 1940 Dr. Forrest C, Allen, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. My dear Phog: Thank you very much for your letters; the one written on the train and the one written March 18. It is really heartening to receive such enthusiastic and prompt response. It would seem to me that through Ole and Saint you ought to be able to do something with "Skippy Hindman" on the situation you mentioned. I am sure that Saint will do whatever he can when the right time comes. There is another angle to the situation: I have known Chester Brewer a good many years and while I can not say that he owes me anything, still our friendship is one of long standing and I would not hesitate to write to him, after the Kansas City meet, and say that you have been of invaluable service to the basketball committee and that I would deem it a personal favor if he would see what he could do to retain you on the committee from that district. Harry Newman is working on the problem at Collinwood and will have some reactions which I will have him send by special air mail so as to give him as long as possible to finish up his work, It will certainly be a load off your mind to get the $2500.00 out of the red and it will also be something about which you should be congratulated. Trusting that you get through the western semi-finals and play-offs and are in on the finals because that really would insure a capacity crowd, I am, with mahy thanks for your statement of confidence and with personal regards, Sincerely yours, Dir g Supervisor Bureau of Physical Welfare FAR-IE ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE PERSON SIGNING March 27, 1940 Lavrense, Kansas Kansas City, Moe j : A Manager, NeCeAcAe Basketball Tournsnents Kansas City, Missouri Mareh 26, 1940 Dr. Forrest C. Allen , Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog : Are you issuming any 'K' tickets to the Kansas-Indiana game here in Kansas City next Saturday night? If so, I should like very much to have one in Bonnie's name, You a¥e to be congratulated upon your splendid work there at K.U., Phog,and upon the team of clean boys playing for you. Say "GOOD WORK" to Bobbie for me, May I hear from you if my request fits in with the policy of handling tickets for this game? Sincerely yours, IS14 Ee. Stot. STATE OF KANSAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PAYNE RATNER GOVERNOR TOPEKA March 27, 1940 Dr. ©. GCG, Allen Kansas University Lawrence, Kansas Dear "Phog": I am one of the many countless Kansans who has followed the fortunes of the Kansas University Basket Ball team throughout the season with keen delight at the splendid record they have achieved. I am writing you on the eve of their final game of the season where I know they will again make Kansas proud of their efforts as they battle for the national basket ball champion- ship. I should like to have you and the members of the team for dinner at the executive mansion on whatever date you and the team members think best. I assume that this should be after the final game. If it is possible for you toc ome and you will let me know what dates are convenient, I shall be glad to work it out with you. Sincerely, jane (obi PR: JB ' Zy MESGERN DNION - KAD71 10=TOPEKA KANS 24 216P PHOG. ALLEN & BASKETBALL SQUAD - CONGRATULATIONS WE ARE PROUD OF YOU BEST WISHES FOR FINALS= ‘THE RATNERS» | HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK ORGANIZED AS N.W. HARRIS & CO.1882. INCORPORATED 1907 115 WEST MONROE STREET TELEPHONE STATE 8200 CHICAGO March 27, 1940 Dr. Forrest C. Alien Athletic Department University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear "Phog"s: 3 Congratulations! Have been following all of it with interest. To Sum it up, it's just another case of "Phog Allen", Wish I could be there next Saturday night to lead cheers and do my bit as I tried to do thirteen or fourteen years ago. I'm sure mighty proud of you and Kansas. With kindest regards to you and Mrs. Allen, I am Sincerely yours, LE William 0. Rice Lawrence, Kansas Mayeh 27, 19406 of Schools, “worlding pr 7 | oors I hope Manager, N.CeAsAs Basketball Tournaments Por the hots, um Very sincerely yours, tickets There is you to a will FCA si Public Schools, Kansas City, Missouri LIBRARY BUILDING NINTH AND LOCUST STREETS GEORGE MELCHER, SUPERINTENDENT c.S. ROBINSON ASSISTANT TO SUPERINTENDENT March 26, 1940 Dre Fe Ce Allen, Director Physical Education and Varsity Basket Ball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Doc.: I want you to know that no nicer favor has ever been granted to Gerald and me than the one you extended to us last week end. Please find a way for us to partially return the favor. Sincerely, * Ce 'Se Robinson Assistant CSR: RT