Page 7
Phog, Acacia, LA Writer Back Wes
Latest moves in the controversial Wes Santee case are a Wichita speech by Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Alma blasting the AAU members who invoked the lifetime suspension, offers of aid by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and a possible campus campaign in behalf of Santee by his Acacia Fraternity brothers.
Allen, quoting from a column by Los Angeles writer Vincent Flaherty, tore into those responsible for the ban, and called AAU rules "antiquated definition of the word amateur."
Allen reiterated his charges that Santee was no more guilty of accepting excessive expense money than many athletes all over the country.
Relays To Santee, Carlson
When the articles written by Vincent Flaherty of the Los Angeles Examiner were shown to members of the sports committee of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the chamber relayed the contents to Santee and Sen. Frank Carlson by telegram.
Thursday, Feb. 23, 1956. University Daily Kansan
In a signed article, Flaherty said he could provide Santee with additional "ammunition" in his fight against the AAU he if needed it. Flaherty said he could provide "right now, the names of 10 athletes who received more money than they were entitled, and one field star who made a profit of at least $2,000, and took a two week vacation in Florida after a series of track meets."
Praises Santee's Courage
ing in meets.
Flaherty then launched into AAU officials who "go on trips without paying their own freight, and freeloaders who go first cabin all the way..." on money earned by the athletes."
These Santee people's courage
He said Santee personally told him last year that he did not have time to hold a regular job while compet-
In the telegrams, the sports committee thanked Sen. Carlson for his efforts on the floor of the Senate in Santee's behalf and thanked him for his "militant efforts in trying to rectify the grave injustice done to a western Kansas boy."
The Chamber of Commerce also has contacted the Acacia Fraternity of which Santee was a member at KU, and asked the chapter to lead a campus campaign in Santee's behalf.
Jerry McCollum, Salina junior and president of Acacia said members of the fraternity planned to send telegrams to AAU officials condemning their action against their fraternity brother.
The committee wired Santee, "We have complete confidence in you. If you have to go down, go down swinging."
Acacia Contacted
Campus Opinion On Santee
(Conslined from Page 1).
"This is the beginning of the end of the AAU. If they are egoing to suspend Santee they may as well suspend every other so-called star," said Robert Riley, Kansas City, Mo. junior and the University's top ranking tennis player.
The Beginning of the End
(Continued from Page 1).
Nueam Stern, Mission freshman asked, "who is to say what is too much or too little? Prices have outgrown the AAU. They were not justified in their action. There are a hundred more they could pull on the carpet if they wanted."
"Wes should not have been suspended. The case should have remained at the Missouri Valley Board, because the board who suspended him was probably prejudiced. If he had been NYU or Boston College, there would have been no suspension," said Alvi Bornestine, Kansas City senior.
Gene Elstun, Kansas City, Kan junior and forward on the basketball team believes they should investigate all the others.
In the opinion of Dwight (AI) Frame, Wichita senior and distance runner, Santee is "no more guilty than most athletes who run as he does. If someone runs as much as Wes, he needs a source of income besides traveling expenses. Some say this can break the AAU. They have sat quite before and weathered some bad storms. I'm hoping for the best. Maybe this time it will break them up."
"There are plenty—it is unfair to Wes to stop there."
Robert Edmonds, Kansas City, Kan. junior, said that "Santee was wrong to break the rules, but the AAU was just as wrong because it has not changed the outmoded rules. If it goes to court, I hope they both lose."