The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-09-22
(Reg. U. s. Pat. of0 By JACK CUDDY

(United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Sept. 22-(UP)-We suggest that the various sports col umnists stop trying to tell the men in charge of Army public relations what should be done about sports during the war.
 We make this suggestion because during the next year would be di- exposed to a couple of columns which insinuate that the possible continuation of professional sports during hte next year would be di- rect slap in the face for the men who are fighting and to their fam lilies.
 Whether this is true we do not know. But we are confident that the men at the head of the public relations bureaus of the Army, Navy, and other service branches know more about what should be done with sports during the war than any civilian sports columnist whose out look may be governed entirely by what the war may mean to him personally.
 There have been insinuations, for example, that the payment of mon- eys to Sgt. Joe Louis and Private Billy Conn for engaging in heavy weight title battle on Oct. 12 will have an adverse effect upon the morale of all athletes in service and the civilian population.
 Morale
 Without disclosing any military secrets, we can tell you now that the matter of paying champion Louis for this title defense was con- sidered for months by the most able minds in the War department brass hats far above the public rela- tionS division. Because of certain expects of the Louis case the deci- sion to pay Joe was one of the smarteSt ever made-a decision af- fecting the morale of millions of persons in service and out. This very touchy question of morale as it affected large and important sec tor of our fighting men and civilians never was mentioned in any service communique. So we will not enlarge upon it now. The question of pay ing Conn never was an issue, at all. His private debts are being paid merely because Louis is being taken care of. The entire matter was handled adroitly by the War de- partment, regardless of any misin- formed critics, as you doubtless will learn after we have won the war.
 Similarly, certain columniSts are faoming at the mouth because there is a possibility that major league baseball may be continued in 1943- that able-bodied men, who might be out there fighting, are indulging in pur national pasttime, and getting paid for it.
 Gentlemen, you may rest assured that we will have no major league or minor league baseball, for that matter, next year unless the men who know what is best decide that the continuation of baseball is best. and nothing that we or any alarmist columnist can write will affect the situation.
 Some announcement will be made at New York during the World Ser ies by Commissioner Kenesaw M. Landis regfiarding the future of baseball. This announcement will be based entirely upon advice from the proper authorities in the War and Navy departments. But, regard less of the announcement. if con- ditions change before the l943 sea- son opens in spring, another an- nouncement may change the picture completely.
 Balance
 The study of American history since the days the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock reveals two sall- ent characteristics Of our national progress; CD Adaptabillty, (2l bal- anee, Down through the years, our melting-pot population has had the happy ability of adapting Itself to