The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-03

manager of athletics hlmselfY
 This is a question which at present is on the tongue of every student of the state university, where the re- sumption of athletic relations with Auburn is being more widely agitated than at any time since these relations were broken off some seven years ago. This is a question which Ala bama is asking of Auburn itself in an effort to establish definitely just why the latter institution declines to let the passing years act as a balm to old controversies, and refuses, in direct contravention to the expressed wishes of it's alumni and most of it's students, to stretch forth the hand of good sportsmanship to its neigh bor and to pick up the gauntlet of athletic challenge. And startling evil dence has been brought to light to show that the attitude of Auburn is the attitude of its faculty and presi- dent rather than that of it's students, Its alumni, it's athletic committee or even it's graduate manager himself.
 Since Auburn and Alabama broke off athletic relations in 1908 the situation re- sultant therefrom has been marked by two novel and distinct circumstances. One lies in the fact that prominent Au- burn students and alumni and Auburn followers throughout the state admittedly are in favor of a resumption of athletic relations, and that the general belief is that the dsinclination of Tom Bragg. who. 1t is said, considers such a step derogatory to the best interests of Au- burn, is the sole obstacle that stands in the path of an amicable adjustment of the controversy. The second lies in the fact that while Auburn steadfastly has refused to consider negotiations for a resumption of athletic relations she has just as steadfastly refused to as- sign a reason for her attitude. If Au- burn has a charge to lay at Alabama s door she has courteously declined to make this charge public. If she has any specific reason for preferring not to meet the state university on the athletic field she has carefully avoided giving that reason to the public. And in the passing years followers of both institutions have placed the onus of the whole situation on the shoulders of Tom Bragg.
 Took Unjust Criticism
 With public opinion thus shaped the Auburn athletic manager has met and breasted an avalanche of criticisms; but through it all he has steadfastly and stoi- cally refused either to deny the charges brought against him or to defend the attitude attributed to him. MT. Bragg S continued silence has served to increase the attacks against his alleged policy but not once in the past seven years have these attacks, or has any power of per- suasion, wormed from the stanch old Auburnite the secret of his strange atti- tude.
 And now comes the startling develop ment that MT. Bragg has during the past seven years but played catspaw to his superiors at Auburn: that he has shouldered the burden of criticism against his college because of his courageous loy- alty to the Orange and Blue, and that were the situation left entirely in the hands of MT. Bragg himself. to act re- gardless of outside pressure. he long ago would have forgotten past differences be- tween the institution he represents and the University of Alabama.
 Authority for the statement that Tom Bragg is not responsible for the failure of Alabama and Auburn to meet on the athletic field comes in a statement from one of the most prominent alumni of Auburn, who, deeply interested In its athletic affairs, has made careful tnvesti- gation of the subject and who has gone over the situation with other Auburn alumni most likely to be in closest touch with the situation there This alumnus has brought the results of his investi- cations to the state university and has laid them before the athletic authorities of this institutions; and the most pro- tnounced conclusion which he has drawn is that Tom Bragg is not responsible for the present athletic fiasco.
 '.In discussing the present unfortunate situation" stated this alumnus in an ex- elusive interview for The Age-Herald, "I want it to be distinctly understood that I am an alumnus of Auburn and am abso- lutely loyal to the interests of the Orange end Blue. But at the same time I believe in Auburns teaching of fair play. and I am convinced that if Auburn has taken a position incommensurate with honesty and justice and lacking in spirit of sportsmanship, it is but right that her alumni know of this attitude and lend their aid in setting her aright
 Shaping Tom Bragg
 "I have investigated the situation from every standpoint and I find that Auburn's policy is shaping Tom Bragg rather than that Bragg is making the policy of Auburn Bragg merely is carrying out the instructions of his su- periors and in so doing he is shoulder ing the criticism and accepting the re- sponsibility for his colleges policy with spirit of courageous loyalty. Bragg has been made catspaw. l cannot say that he disagrees entire ly, but I do know that he has not fostered and is not responsible for Au- burns policy.
 Let us look into the circumstances for a moment and see If we can find a real and logical reason why 1t is advantageous for Auburn not to meet Alabama on the athletic field. Alabama