Evening star., 1949-01-22
Brook|yn-New York
Merger Is Doubtful
Aid 10 Conference
BY Lewis F. Atchison
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT

| If1lSA1o, jail. &L.-ncuuCIlOll
of the All-America Conference from
eight to seven clubs. with Brooklyn
merging with the New York YAM
KEGS, apparently signals the renewal
of hostilities in the pro football war
But, in some quarters hope still was
held for peaceful settlement of
the AAC-National League war.
Commissioner Jonas Ingram of
the AAC said he was more opti-
mistic than ever" that the matter
would be settled-"probably in a
few days" But not many observers
agreed with him.
At a press conference yesterday
marked by contradictions, Ingram
first said If there was no chance
of peace he wanted to step out
February l, unless it would be in
imicable to the best interests OF
peace" Then, as the affair broke
up, he told a group of reporters he
would resign when it is feasible"
Ben Lindheimer, owner of the Los
Angeles .Dons, conducted the con-
ference, but much of the talking
was done by Paul Brown, coach CT
the champion Cleveland Browns.
Lindheimer, when questioned about
Ingram's resignation, a move the re-
tired admiral announced month
ago. said Ingram by his own choice
would be around as long as the con-
/ ference desired.
Marshall at Secret Meeting.
The AAC's revised setup was an
nounced after secret meeting the
night before between key figures of
the two organizations failed to pro-
duce any solution to their problem.
The New York Giants, Detroit,
Philadelphia and Chicago Cardinals
were not represented. but George
Marshall of the Redskins, Curley
Lambeau of Green Bay, George
Halas Of the Chicago Bears and Ted
Collins, all of the National League,
were present.
Paul Brown of Cleveland, Tony
Morabito of San Francisco, Dan Top
ping of New York. Mickey Mcbride
of Cleveland, and Attorneys Marshall
Leahy, Dan Sherry and Ray Miller
were reported to have represented
the AAC. Yeterday morning Leahy,
attorney for San Francisco, ana
Sherry had breakfast with Commits
sioner Bell of the National League.
Bell, however, denied he had any
formal or official peace talks with
ANYBODY from the other league. He
said he had many friends in the
AAC and had enjoyed breakfast on
another occasion with Paul Brown
and Ed McKeever, coach OF the
Chicago Rockets.
The door always is open for the
other league if they want to see me"
he told reporters, but everything is
going to be on the record in an open
meeting. I'm not carrying on any
secret negotiations with anybody
:: Rockets Given TRANSMISSION.
Lindheimer announced that $780,
900 in fresh money had been put on
the line to finance the Chicago
Rockets for another season: Whose
money it was he did not say, but he
indicated the source soon would be
revealed. Many observers thought
1t was Lindheimer's own money, for
he is reported to have helped several
out of tight financial spots.
While All-America owners said
their revamped league gave them
stronger front against the older Ma
tional League, members of the lat
ter did not agree. They think the
loss Of one club hurts, rather than
strengthens the Junior circuit, CIV
ing 1t new problems.
The odd seventh club, for example,
will be idle each week and there
is no chance for an Eastern-West-
ern division arrangement. This
means a Shaughnessy playoff be-
tween the two top clubs will be
necessary at the end of the season
to decide the championships the
conference wants postseason title
game 1t was even suggested that
the four top teams might meet In
a round-robin. All of that re-
NAMED to be worked out.
t Paul Brown said the odd club
would offer no schedule problem as
the conference had byes last year
because some teams started earlier
than others.
1t was rumored, but could not be
confirmed, that negotiations at the
clandestine confab broke down when
the National Leaguers again de-
clined to take more than two teams
into their organization. The AAC
delegates repeatedly wanted 13 or
IA club setup. The NFL has in
sisted that anything larger than a
12-team wheel would not work and
they want no parts of one.
Collins Shift Okayed.
The National League session
ended late yesterday after unani-
nous consent was given Ted Collins
| to move his Boston team to New
York. Technically, Collins was
granted a new franchise and the
one in Boston was declared dead.
Commissioner Bell will begin work
on the l949 schedule as soon as he
learns which dates will be open at
/ the Polo Grounds for the Giants
and Collins club To work it out
there will have to be at least one
night game, possibly TWO, at the
Polo Grounds next season.
Collins said he has selected no
name for his new club, but that it
definitely would not be Yanks. He
has not approached anybody about
the head coaching berth, he added,
There was some conjecture how
the National Baseball League Brook
lyn Dodgers could form an alliance
with the American League New York
Yankees in pro football. Both foot
ball elevens are reported to belong
to their respective baseball organi-
cations. Topping, however, said the
matter had been settled legally. Red
Strader will coach the Yankee
Brooklyn combine, in which Brook
Ivn will have financial interest