The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-18

ly small, and most of the men who have heretofore officiated as umpires in foot ball games in the central south now prefer to act as referees rather than um- pires This, in fact, is the case with several men whom we would have been glad to ask to serve as umpires for the Alabama-Auburn game. Moreover, we did not ask that an eastern man be selected as umpire until after we had failed to agree upon some available southern man, as will be seen from the correspondence given below.
 with regard to the matter of officials 1n our other games, l would say that, con trary to the impression conveyed in the committees letter, we have only agreed so far upon the referees for two of our games, Georgia and Georgia Tech, and neither side has yet been able to agree upon an umpire for each contest, so that we do not as yet know where we will have to go to secure umpires for these games.
 So far as eastern officials in southern games are concerted would say that as far back as 1896 Auburn and Georgia had dii CdStClll III lntii edu1C, and Georgia-Tech and Clemson, Wander bilt and Sewanee have also in recent years had eastern officials. Iwould fur ;her say that the expense of securing an eastern official has been very much ex- aggerated by the Alabama committee. Appended herewith is some correspond ence which will throw further light upon this matter and which speaks for itself:
 Copy of Correspondence.
 University, Ala, April 2S, 190S MT. Thomas Bragg. Grad. Manager Au- burn Athletic Association, Auburn, Ala:
 Dear Sir-Following out the suggestion made at the meeting which occurred be- tween MT. Donohue, MT. Prichard, you and myself at the McLester hotel, Tus- caloosa, on Saturday evening, April 25 I take the liberty to inclose copy of the minutes of a meeting of our executive committee on athletics. held on April 24, to discuss the contract, officials etc., for the proposed football game between Auburn and Alabama November 1, at Birmingham, Ala.
 Following out the instructions of this meeting, I would greatly appreciate a definite answer from you as to whether or not you are willing to sign up the contract which I inclose with this letter within the next 10 days-by May Il. Very sincerely yours,
 'J. w. H. POLLARD"
 Copy of Enclosure.
 University, Ala, April 24, 1908. Meeting called to order by President Jones. Present. Caffey, Roster DuBose. Goldsmith, Noojin, Prichard, Oglesby. Hobbs, Craddock, Morgan, Countess, Wendt, Edwards. P. Jones, Slaughter, Pollard Dr. Smith,
 Discussion of contract submitted by MT. Bragg, graduate manager A. P. I. Ath- letic association, for Auburn Alabama football game November IA, 19OS Also discussiou of Suggestion of Coach Don ohue of Auburn that an official from the. east be secured to officiate as umpire at this game.
 Moved oJ Hobbs that pr. Pollard be instructed to draw up contract calling for 20 men on each team, hotel expenses at rate of S9 PCT day, and that clause relative 10 appointment of officials be in- serted to read as follows: "Officials of said game siiall be selected from those who have Jcen regularly officiating at football games in the south (southern), and shall be chosen by joint commit tee of Auburn and Alabama alumni, if necessary" Seconded by Goldsmith and carried unanimously
 Moved by Hobbs that definite answer from MT Bragg relative to contract as thus drawn up he requested within 10 days of his receipt of same, and that, pending MT. Braggs answer, Manager Craddock and pr. Pollard be authorized to open negotiations with other teams for a game of football to be played in Bir- ningham on November IA, 1908. Second- ed by Wendt, carried unanimously.
 J. w. H. POLLARD, Secretary.
 Stands approved, Paul B. Jones.
 Bragg's Answer.
 Auburn, Ala, May 5. 1908. Dr. J. w. Pollard, University of Ala bama, University, Ala:
 Dear Sr-Your favor of the 18th ult., together with inclosure, has been re- ceived. and I have noted contents of same.
 I submitted your proposition to our