Evening star., 1943-05-13
President Likely
Create Post
Within Month
Agency Would Make
Clearing House. for
All Of Activities
BY SID FEDER.
Associated Press Sports Writer


NEW YORK, May ia national
co-ordinator for all sports, rumored
for nearly a year, is likely to be
named by President Roosevelt with
in month and United States Sena-
tor James Mead of New York, who
advocated cancellation of the World
Series and all-star games less than
three months ago, is the leading
candidate for the job
Word on the early appointment of
such sports officer, whose big job
will be to decide how the Nations
sports can be handled without af-
fectlng the war effort" came last
night from Herbert Bayard SWope,
chairman Of the New York Racing
Commission and consultant on pub
lie policy to the War Department.
In speech at dinner closing the
tWo-day meeting of the National AS
sociation of State Racing Commis-
sioners, SWope pointed out also that
racing has received a green light
from Washington. since both Rubber
Administrator William Jeffers and
Defense Transportation Boss Joseph
Eastman have told him that opera
ton of the turf is being carried on
this year with 100 per cent co-opera-
ton with the war effort.
Mead Held Leading Candidate.
Less than year ago, SWope re-
moved himself as possible candl-
date for the Office of sports CO.
ord!nator because he felt he was too
busy with his various Jobs as racing
commissioner, War Department con-
sultant, head of the Turf Committee
of America, which raised the turf S
$3.0OO0O0 contribution to the war et-
fort in 1912, and one thing and an
other.
At this writing, Senator Mead,
from Buffalo. N. Y. is supposed to
have the inside track on the Job
Swope turned down. Mead is vice
president of the Buffalo Interna-
tional League baseball club, but on
March l he came out for cancella
ton of baseball's two fanciest shows
for the duration to relieve the strain
on the Nations transporta ton sys-
tenn
Laughing Larry MacPhail who
made the Brooklyn Dodgers tick un-
til the Army took him last fall. also
was mentioned for the Job, but it
was learned no man in uniform
would be considered Representa-
tive Sam Weiss, of GlaSsport, Pa.
near Pittsburgh. also was reported
among possible candidates. And ex-
Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York.
father of this States boxing and
Sunday baseball laws, has been
given serious considera ton.
Would Be "Clearirg House."
There is no doubt sports CO.
ordinator is necessary" SWope said.
Many sports did not take their
problems to Washington early in
the war, and they have suffered.
Il doubt if the appointment will
be clothed with any authority. The
appointee will not be an admins
traitor or an executor so much as
co-ordinator His chief function
will be to learn what people think
of sport and how it can be han
died without affecting the war
effort. He will be clearing
house
For instance, if way should be
suggested to transport fans to Cali
fornia tracks, for instance, he would
test it and the result would be
cleared through his official agency.
The same thing would apply if a
better hour were suggested to start
certain sports events or games He
would suit the problems of the
sports to existing conditions.
He would work with Paul Nc
Mutt, the manpower commissioners:
Jeffers and Eastman, as we'll as the
Office of Price Administration.
Such a man in Washington
would do a lot of good if in no other
way than to prevent mistakes be-
ing made" ="