The New York herald., 1922-06-17
Prof. Mendell and System
Criticized in Report of Vol
untary Committee
BOARD WILL ACT MONDAY
Discussion of Coaches Salaries
and of Policies for Sports
Will Come Up.

Following the promulgating of a re-
port by a voluntary committee of
Yale men" bitterly attacking the pres
ent Yale athletic system, it was re-
ported at Yale University last night
that Prof. Clarence w. Mendell, head
of athletics at the university, had re-
signed. In a statement to the AS
sociated Press at 1870 this morning
Prof. Mendell denied that he had re-
signed or that he intended to resign
as chairman of the Yale board of ath-
letic control.
The attack on the Yale system had
been brewing for several months and
had its origin in the appointment OF
Bernie Tommers, one time Yale pitcher.
as coach Of the baseball team in place
of Billy Lauder. TIE former Giant. The
voluntary Committee" felt that It
was poor policy to displace tried
professional with a so-called amateur
Recent happenings in Yale baseball
gave new impetus to the attack. FIRST
Thomas Durant, son Of Harry Durant.
member of the voluntary commit
tee" failed TO win place at first base
on the university nine. Then came the
benching of James Herman. the catcher.
The attacking alumni" took these nap
penings to mean that the best players
were not being permitted to represent
the Blue. New attacks on Tommers.
the baseball committee and Prof. Men
dell were organized. and these were
made public yesterday.
Due TO "AIIeged Grievance"
At New Haven last night Prof Men
dell declared that the attack was in
spired by Mr.. Durant and that IL was
due to an alleged grievance. yale will
pay no attention to irresponsible criti-
cism-criticism which is without any
origin or character behind IT," said Prof.
Mendell yale will welcome any genu-
inc criticism. but II will not respond to
any attempt to carry on n discussion of
it's athletic affairs in the newspapers.
do not believe that the attacks will be
taken UP at the meeting Of the board of
athletic control on Monday night"
Tad Jones' coach of the Yale foot
bail team and a power in its general
athletic councils, also stated that he did
not think that the statements issued by
discussed at the board session.
Mr.. Tommers added that II any man
had failed to earn n place on the Yale
nine he had not shown sufficient ability
to displace any player who had gained
that privilege He stated that young
Durant had not shown him enough base
ball to become the regular first base
man and that Herman had been benched
because he had slumped in his hitting.
Herman recently signed with the Read
ing club OF the International League
and Yale's season is not yet over The
Ellis play Princeton to-day and still have
the Harvard series before them.
Hit Mt Tommcrs's salary.
The voluntary Committed" members
for some time have been attacking Mr..
Tonne. from several angles. IL has
been said that while Mr. Lauder re-
ceived an annual salary of $4,000 Mr..
Tommers Is getting $4,000. The ques-
tion Of salaries may come up at the
board meeting on Monday.
Prof Mendell took the place OF Prof.
Robert ". Corwin about three years
ago and II was understood at the time
that the appointment was only tenn
porary. Since taking the office. said
Prof Mendell last night. he had given
great deal Of his time TO it--more
than ne could afford.
In making public It's statement on the
Yale athletic situation the voluntary
Committee" declared that II represented
the views Of "a large number OF Yale
men. former captains members OF pres
ent teams. coaches and graduates inter-
ested in Yale sport just who these
are was not disclosed. The committee
declared that It wanted Tess alibis for
defeats. more sympathy with graduate
cooperation. eliminate all snobbish in
tolerance and accept a broader vision Of
out athletic future"
MANY graduates feel that those In
control at Yale have finibled the ball."
says tho report. Prof Mendell has
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