Evening star., 1946-01-12
Aggressive President
Relieves Mild Layden,
Now Loop Adviser
BY SID FEDER,

NEW YORK, Jan. 12.-Any linger-
ing doubt that the National Football
League is ready, willing and able to
take on the young All-America Con-
ference in knockdown fight, with
no holds barred, was completely
erased today as aggressive Bert Bell
moved in as czar of the gridiron's
oldest professional loop.
appointment of Bell to succeed the
resigned" Elmer Layden was the
final touch to signs the moguls of
the National have been hanging out
for weeks about how they feel to-
ward the brand-new circuit, which
already has signed up some three
dozen of their players and is aim
ing at bucking them in several cities,
notably New York, Chicago and
Cleveland.
Officially, the National League
announced last night that tall, mild
Layden, late of Notre Danes four
horseman backfield, had resigned
as president and commissioner after
f1ve-year term, and that Bell, a
short, stocky, "give-me-a-fight" kind
OF guy, had been named to succeed
him under a three-year contract
calling for $4,000 salary a year. The
National League moguls said, too,
that Layden would remain in an
advisory capacity at $4,000 per year.
Fighter Picked as Leader.
However, it was rumored around
and about among the moguls at their
annual meeting that the National
had decided it was time to get in
and pitch. It was learned that there
was opposition among the mag
mates to renewal of Laydens con-
tract, which was to have expired
March 81. And it was known that
some club owners objected to Lay
den's attitude toward the All-Amer-
lea, notably his advice to the new
loop to "go out and get a football
flrst," when the All-America outfit
wanted to meet with the National
several months ago.
In the 52-year-old Bell the moguls
picked man out of their own ranks
who has been fighting pro footballs
battle for the last 13 years. He op-
Grated the Philadelphia Eagles fran
chise from 1888 through 1910, when
each season meant fight to keep
going. Then, after selling his club
to the ly-haired sportsman, Alexis
Thompson, Bert bought a half in
terest in the Pittsburgh Steelers
from Art Rooney.
He'll have to dispose of those hold
ings now that he's boss of the leagIe.
and he said Rooney would buy his
stock. Jock Sutherland recently was
named coach and vice president of
the Steelers at reported salary of
Sl2,5O0 a year plus Is per cent of the
profits, and at that time was given
an option Of purchasing some of
Bells shares within five years.
All-America Curbs Planned.
A native of Philadelphia, Bell
played college ball at Pennsylvania
In 1915 through 1917, went to war
and came back to captain the 1919
team. Before moving into the pro
game, he was backfield coach at
Penn and Temple. '"-
The switch in leadership topped
of a day which saw the magnates
put into the books anti-All-America
Conference legislation looking to the
future. In two constitutional amend
ments they voted that the National
League never can have more than 10
teams and that no city can hold
more than one franchise from now
on, although Chicago will continue
as a two-club town as at present.
These moves were described by one
league official as shutting the door,
on the All-America and its individ-
ual teams. This official pointed out
that If the new circuit should fold
up in a few years, some of its
stronger clubs might want to affiliate
with the National, but the new
amendments would eliminate that
possibility.
On top of that, it was reported the
10 National League owners would
hold their draft meeting in secret
during the current conclave. They
contend that if they don't announce
the names of their selections from
the ranks of college seniors, they
won't be tipping off owners and
coaches in other loops what they
know about up-coming potential pro-
fessional talent. The other loops, {"
naturally. must refer to the ALI
America. There isn't any other ma
jor league.