The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-22

out the state that the real meat in the cocoanut be revealed. The alumni of both institutions who have endeavored for several years to bring about a reconeilia- ton between the two are clamorng to know the real reason why Auburn and Alabama do not play football in man. ly spirit of friendly rivalry. Alabama, since 1t has openly offered to resume re- lationship, probably is unaware Of that reason. It is therefore up to the ath- letic authorities of Auburn to make it known. The original statement of the Auburn authorities was issued over the signature of C. L. Hare, secretary of the athletic committee. The time Is now ripe for another statement.
 The attitude of the University of Ala bama is revealed in the following com munication:
 Tuscaloosa, December 15, 1911. Dear Sir--Appreciating the interest you have manifested toward the renewal of athletic relations between Auburn and the University of Alabama, I beg to advise that we are now, as we have been in the past. ready and willing to contract for games with Auburn.
 
 urged by alumni of Auburn and of the university to hold the Thanksgiving date for next season open, pending a game between the two colleges This we have done.
 "Furthermore. if Thanksgiving Day be not acceptable we shall be glad to ar range a game for the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 23 or for the Saturday succeeding Thanksgiving week, December I. We consider these dates the best of the football season in so much as they allow each team 10 arrive at it's best form. We are also willing4 to ar range baseball dates for this season and for seasons to come.
 "The athletic management of the uni- versity begs to state that it is not our in- tention to start anew an athletic argu- ment. We hold not the slightest i'll will toward Auburn and all old scores are for- gotten.
 We simply desire that the Birmingham press our alumni and the Auburn alumni, all of whom seem interested in this mat ter. know where and how we stand so that in future when they speak let them place censure where it belongs. I beg to to remain, very truly.
 ". HUGO FREEDMAN, Graduate Manager of Athletics, Univer-
 sty of Alabama
 The reproduction of the reply of Au- burn will probably serve good pur- pose:
 December 16 1911
 Dear Sir-In connection with the dis cussion in regard to the proposed game between Auburn and Alabama, we beg to inform you that final action has been taken by the athletic authorities at Au- burn to the effect that 1t Is best that athletic relations beween the wo institu- tions be not resumed. In reaching this conclusion the athletic authorities are guided by what they regard as the best interests of true sport.
 ''They have no criticism to make of any team, but they assert that it has been found true in every state that certain games produce so great desire for vic tory that all sense of true sport that should mark student games, is entirely lost sight of and that for the sake of win ming, there invariably result questionable practices on all sides, with the consequent criminations and recrimnations, which destroy instead of promote good feeling and fellowship.
 This undesirable end they wish as far as possible to avoid and they are con fident that all true lovers of sport will appreciate their point of view Yours very truly, c. l.. HARE,
 Secretary Athletic Committee"