Evening star., 1941-04-07
All on Pro Grid's
Pay Rolls Under
Layden Rule
Made Most Powerful
Sports Gar; League
Revises II Rules
BY TOM SILER.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

ASSOCldleu HIeSS SpOIIb WTlleI.
CHICAGO, April THE future
of professional football now is in
the hands of 37-year-old Elmer
Layden.
1t is doubtful if any sports execu-
tive, Baseball Commissioner K. M.
Lands not excepted, ever was vested
with the sweeping authority Layden
now holds in the National Grid
League
The league club owners at their
annual meeting signed Layden at
$4,000 annually as commissioner
and president and gave him almost
unlimited powers. 1t also was prob
able that at least two minor leagues,
the Dixie and American Association,
and possibly more, would act to
grant Layden similar authority
The genial former Notre Dame
star gridder and coach wasted no
time in assuming his duties. Signed
up late Saturday afternoon, Layden
presided at a scheduled drafting
meeting that night which lasted
nine and ope-half hours.
Great Step, League Feels.
The owners. at the conclusion
of their meeting yesterday, were
unanimous in saying that the acqui-
sition of Layden was the games
most progressive step since the
league was organized 81 years ago.
At his induction Layden told the
owners that he didn't take the post
as "reformer or policeman" but
the league gave him nightstick to
swing anyway.
Under the new constitution, Lay
den has the power to discipline any
persons connected with the league
club owner, stockholder, players,
officials or any one else on the pay
roll of any club. There is no appeal
from his decisions and fines for
misconduct may run as high as
s25,0O0
Lavden's duties include drafting
of the annual playing schedules,
selecting and assigning officials,
approving all club contracts, han
ding revenues of the league, and
settling inter-club disputes.
Grip on League Firm.
The only possible way in which
Layden can be overruled is by
changing the bylaws and this can
be done only by an 3D. vote in the
annual league meeting The own
ers cannot hold an official meeting
at any other time of the year un-
less Layden orders it.
Several rules also were drawn up
to guide the conduct of club Of
ficialS and league employees in gen.
eral. Betting on league games is
prohibited; stockholders must con-
fine their interests to one club and
game officials can have no busi-
ness dealings with various club
owners or employees. Should any
club refuse to pay fine levied by
the commissioner, Layden has the
authority to assume control and
operate the franchise.
Layden said that league head
quarters would be established in
Chicago and that the New York
office would be closed
Rule Changes Adopted.
The owners yesterday adopted II
changes in the playing code, but
most of them were of a minor ma
ture.
The penalty for a foul during a
kick from scrimmage or a kickoff
Is to be enforced from the scrim-
mage line previous to the kick un-
less Gn case of a pun) it is fair
catch interference.
The illegal shift penalty was re-
duced from Is to yards.
Hereafter touching of a kicked
ball beyond the scrimmage line
before it has been touched by the
receiving team is not a foul. If
the ball is recovered by the kicking
team 1t Is awarded to the receivers
at the spot of recovery unless it
has been touched by the receivers.
Any kick from scrimmage which
crosses the receivers goal line after
touching a player of either team
hereafter Is touchback. Previous
ly, ball touched by the receiving
team and recovered over the goal
line by the kicking team was
touchdown.