The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-15
IVAN PADDURNEY

truth. ls years of active management has caused me to know college boys and to understand them. And I cannot for the life of me take in too serious a man. ner their actions For as all college offi- csals know college boys act first and think afterward. In the majority of cases, I am quite sure that all of you will agree that they never Stop! Look! I.istenl
 Last January there was a large sum of money raised among the Auburn stu dents. citizens of Auburn, alumni of Au- burn living in Montgomery and in other places in the state to secure the return to Auburn this fall of a certain well known football player Those who were leaders in the movement claimed that this player was not to receive the money they had raised but that the money subscribed was to be paid to a certain man who was to hold down the position of coach of a prep school in Alabama while this star fcctbal player was at Auburn during the 1919 season Of course, it was understood that the star player was to receive his salary from the prep school, though he was to be on leave at Auburn. And the man who was to take his place at the prep school was to be paid the salary raised by the Auburn students and alumni
 The matter was brought to the atten- ton of member of the athletic commit tee al Auburn, and my attention was called to the matter by loyal alumnus of Auburn while was sojourning in Montgomery. I might state. however that the alumnus was a subscriber to the fund. though after subscribing half of the amount he was asked for. he decided it was not right or fair to Auburn to have paid players on her football team, so he reported the matter When the matter was brought officially before the Auburn athletic committee. action was immedi- ately taken and those thought to be in- terested in tho matter were told that the 'star" player would not be allowed to play on the Auburn football team should he return for the 1919 season. Well-. the action was taken in February, 1919 and since that time the old hammer in the hands of .tuharn students has been busy Now. the hammer has not been used against other members of the committed but I have received all the blows. Tn fact, I have been knocked so very much that l have often quoted to myself the lines accredited to Speaker Champ Clark concerning his Missouri canine: Makes no difference if he is hound, you've got to quit kicking my dog around
 Well last Monday night week ago at a mass meeting of Auburn students, called TOT dDOtDeF purpose, my reSlSna- ton was called for in resolution pre- sented by the captain of the football team, and am reliably informed that the vote was unanimous Exactly AS hours after this first meeting. a second mass meeting was held and the resolution eall- ing for my resignation was recinded At the second meeting. those in authority and who were officially connected with the coaching and management plainly stated to the students. l understand q was not there) that the irrevelent things they were blaming me for they were en- tirely responsible for and the blame should be placed on them and not on me
 Just after the first mass meeting the faculty met and investigated the affair and issued to the students and the press a statement.
 Now, permit me to say in justice to the Auburn students that they are just like the students of other institutions. I un- derstand and can prove that there was small coterie of alumni. two or three in number, who keenly resented the clean way in which athletics were conducted at Auburn and who advised the students from time to time against me. I am happy 10 state that the entire faculty, the athletic committee and practically every alumni organization in Alabama have heartily indorsed my administration Of athletic affairs at Auburn"