The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-09-29
AIMS TO
ESTABLISH UNIVERSAL
REGARD FOR FOOTBALL
Rock Islands Pride in
Membership Pardon
able.

Rock Island may we'll be proud
of it's membership in the American
Professional Football association.
Such pride is pardonable. To be
classed with the foremost expon-
ents of this phase of the great fall
the distinction of being the smallest
city within the select circle, is
something to warrant a general ex-
pansion of chests.
The organization was conceived,
fostered and carried to successful
formation from an honest desire 10
elevate the professional game to a
place of high regard in the heart OF
the sport loving public. Although
still in its swaddling clothes, the
association has spread its influence
out over a vast area, extending
from the Atlantic seaboard to the
Mississippi, and its early official
acts hold promise of ultimate real
ization of its purpose.
The association is really the idea
of four men, Frank Neid, Art
Rainey, Ralph Hay and Jim Thorpe,
whose endeavors for five years have
been directed toward a really worth
while organization OF professional
football clubs. Between times these
four produced wonderful teams,
Neid and Rainey at Akron; Hay and
Thorpe at Canton, that by faithful
performance came into national
reputation. The example set by
these clubs induced other cities 20
strive to emulate, and within the
last few years many strong 1ggre-
cations have been developed in var
ious parts of the east and middle
west, prominent among these be-
ing the Rock Island Independents.
When numbers at last warrant
ed, these four made their plans
known generally. Those who had
bucked against the trials and dis
of uncontrolled foot
ball, were quick to grasp the idea
of centralized power Too much
haste was shown, when in the late
summer of 1920, representatives
were called into meeting at Cleve-
land for organization purposes. The
frall structure that evolved from
that gathering, at which Walter
Flanagan represented Rock Island.
could hardly have been expected to
exert any power during the sea-
son then at hand. Still, 1t was a
beginning.
Beneftting by the mistakes OF the
past, these pioneers in the move
nent determined to make the most
II year in which TO arrange. AC-
2ordingly. the initial meeting OF
-921 was held in May. II was diff
30 l.
early in the year. but the few who
lid respond to the invitation def
nltely decided upon prosecuting
he plans to the limit second
Meeting was held in June at CIeve-
and, at which practically every
.ity interested to any extent was
represented, notable among these
'eing Rock Island. Tentative con-
and bylaws patterned aft
T that of the National baseball
eague, which had been consider
d previously at the Nav assembly
we're presented for ratification and
cceptad almost without qualifica-
ion.
Then followed the August meet
1g at Chicago, at which schedules
'ere partially arranged, player
sts inspected and approved, iron
lad contracts entered into and
be road cleared for successful op-
ration of the association
The course of conduct governing
be members is best set forth IN
ection l, Of the constitution, which
eads:
Any member who is reported b.
he executive committee, as guilty
t improper conduct, may be ex-
eiled from the association by
lajority vote of the members.
All players agree that during the
sason they viii faithfully serve the
Tub and pledge themselves TO the
merican public to conform to the
.gh standards Of fair play and
pod craftsmanship.
The player must agree to such
easonable regulations as the club
az announce from time 10 time.
The player must submit TO the
scipline of the American PROBES
onal Football association and
gree to accept and abide BIZ it's de-
sions pursuant to the bylaws.
II the members fail to agree upon
fic.als for any game, the pTesi-
mt shall then appoint officials %
present him and direct the play.
Members and players Of the as
'ciat.on must conduct themselves
gentlemen and sportsmen. ANY
grant violation may mean s1s-
.nsion OF expulsion.
No members shall knowingly
axe false representation through
.vertising as to the personnel o.
: or a competitive team in an
ort to deceive the public for his
lancial gain. The confidence CT
G public is TO be desired above all
Sc.
with players on col
&c teams shall not be tolerated oy
IS association. This is 10 b. dis
Iraged at all tines as there IS
adequate supply OF players w10
e ineligible for college competi-