Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-29
Story From Sam,
Other Evidence
Being Awaited
Tordiness in Wiring
He Wouldn't Make
Trip Unexplained

Still providing conversational fod-
der for the Nations football fans
today was the highly publicized
absence of the Warrington Red
skins famed Sammy Baugh from
the Pro Bowl game at Philadelphia
on Sunday but Elmer Layden COM
missioner Of the National Football
League. isn't prepared to join the
discussion.
Layden, who has telegraphed
Baugh for an explanatio will de-
eide if Baugh deserves punishment
but until he Sits the facts he will
make no comment.
Until I get the story from Baugh
and have chance to weigh all the
evidence from other quarters, said
Layden, Il will not issue state
ment."
Layden expressed regret that the
publicity connected with Baughs
absence had oversha dowed the sac
rifices other professional grid stars
made in playing the game.
Gives Credit to Players.
These boys made a substantial
contribution to war charity" stated
Layden. Not only that. but they
played a terrific game I say give
credit to the boys who played and
let the league take care of the
Baugh matter. Many of these boys
are going into the service immedi-
atelv, yet they gave up their last
Christmas with their families"
A point Layden probably will re-
quest to clear up is the reason for
his delay in dispatching telegram
! to Coach Ray Flaherty of the Red
skins informing him he wouldn't
| be able to play. When reached by
telephone at his Rotan. Tex ranch
| by a representative of The Star
Baugh said he decided on Friday he
wouldn't be able to make the trip
due to illness but admitted that not
until Saturday did he wire Flaherty.
L wired Flaherty that I had been
i'll end couldn't play" said Baugh,
land Jack Espey. team manager
called back and told me I wouldn't
have to play, but to come on anyway
just to appear at the game"
No Transportation Obtainable.
Sammy said he then made every
effort to get to Philadelphia, but
finally abandoned the idea because
he couldn't obtain transportation. He
said he tried to get an automobile
for the trip from Sweetwater tc
Dallas. but that cab company
refused to furnish it.
Baugh then attempted to catch q
plane from Abilene, but it already
had gone He tried to reach Espey
by telephone, Sammy continued, but
the operator told him the line was
busy and that his call couldn't be
put through for at least five hours
So. he added, he telegraphed Espey
that he would be unable to appear
His own automobile was not avail
able because of bad left wheel, the
result of a wreck last year, sale
Baugh. He declared a Texas ranger
had informed the chief of police al
Sweetwater, who had agreed to pro-
vide an escort for Baugh. that he
would take Sammy to Abilene tC
catch the plane but the plane had
gone before arrangements could be
completed.
Plane Flight Was Cancelled.
American Airlines revealed that
even had Baugh been able to reach
Dallas he couldn't have continued to
Philadelphia. The Dallas-Philadel-
phia flight was Cancelled at Fort
Worth due to weather and it was on
that plane, officials explained, that
Baugh had a reservation.
Il did everything I could to make
that game" said Baugh. This
transportation situation is mighty
bad and I just couldn't make the
connections. I had no intention