Evening star., 1949-01-18
NFL Wants 10 Dictate
Terms; Rival Regards
Surrender as Absurd
By Charles ChomberIoin
Associated Press Sports Writer

Assoeiofed PrsSs SportS writer
CHICAGO, Jan. 1S.-Mum was
the word on pro football peace
maneuvering today as the ALL
America Conference opened q
three-day meeting with a secret
huddle.
Of1icials of both the AAC and
the National Football League,
which begins its annual winter
parley tomorrow night, refuse to
admit that new peace tactics are
in the air. But they would not be
surprised-in fact, probably disap-
pointed-if there weren't a knock
on the door during the week and
talks resumed.
They all would like to see halt
in the crippling pro football war
which has cost the IS clubs of both
circuits approximately $8,000,0 600 in
three years. But there is q stale
mate stubbornness ON both sides.
The 29-year-old NFL believes 1t
should dictate terms. The AAC
feels this Is absurd since there Is
no idea Of surrender in effect.
Compromise is Questionable.
Whether a compromise can be
reached is questionable. There ap-
pears to be many individual differ
ences to contend with.
mo photographers, no reporters
and no news"-that was the order
today from Joe Petritz, AAC pub
liciSt, on the closeted session in the
Loop Offices of Benjamin r. Lind
heimer, Chicago sportsman and
owner Of the Los Angeles Dons.
Scheduled for the conclave besides
Lindheimer were Commissioner
Jonas H. Ingram, Arthur Mcbride
of Cleveland, Tony Morabito Of San
Francisco, Jim Breuil Of Buffalo
and Dan Topping of New York
members of the AAC Peace Com
mittee."
Since the meeting is so hush,
plans for peace proposals may be in
the hopper. In any case, it is al
most imperative if solution is to
be found that spade work begin at
once. It would be like having the
cart before the horse If the AAC
and NFL went through their tedi-
Gus business sessions OF drawing up
schedules, discussing rule changes,
television policies, and so forth,
without first trying to compromise
and getting their membership estab-
lished.
New RumOrs in Wind,
Several new rumors were in the
wind today.
l. In the event of another stale
mate, the AAC will continue as a
six-club circuit with the Brooklyn
Dodgers and Chicago Rockets out.
(The Dodgers losses repeatedly
have run as high as 100000. The
Rockets needed 100000 from the
league to begin last seasons dis
astrous campaign) There is some
talk of the Rockets franchise being
shifted to Dallas.
2. The AAC will keep its identity
in a two-league Setup OF six teams
each. The NFL would consist of
SllCdsO oCdlS, NCH IOlA 1ldAto,
Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles
Rams, Detroit Lions and Washing
ton Redskins. The AAC member
ship would be the Chicago Cardi-
mails, New York Yanks, Philadelphia
Eagles, Cleveland Browns, San
Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay
Packers.
3. A pro football car be named
fprobably Bert Bell, now NFL COM
missioner) to run both leagues. In
cases Of player draft conflicts, he
would put a ceiling on a players
salary then let the player choose
his club on its merits.
If the price of peace is deemed
too high, as it was in the last olive
branch session in Philadelphia, it is
likely the AAC will draw up 1949
schedule sprinkled with midweek
games.
The NFL sticks with q Sunday
matinee chart.