Evening star., 1963-01-09

Let's Have Done
With Wild Rumors
BY MORRIS SIEGEL

NOBODY HAS CONTRIBUTED to the spec
tcular of professional football the than
George Haas. Unfortunately nobody has done to
harm the image than Haas who touched off the current
ugly investigation of possible scandal
Halas' motives are not questioned only his methods
In moment when his keen mind was either offsides or
neglectng him. Halas revealed to newspaper friend that
he had asked Commissioner Pete Rozelle to look into
charges that number of his players keeping
pany with the wrong people.
Certainly this allegation demanded immediate and
thorough probe However the newspapers the wrong
place to air the issue the first place. the only
development in the whole sordid affair the disclosure
the charges being checked
Commissioner Rozelle's office terrified" when 1t
learned Halas had popped off publicly Rozele himself
called the matter to Halas attention year ago. just he
has alered several other affiate that of their
players might be running around with undesirables
THE IDEA is TO INVESTIGATE the charges COM
petey and then pubcize them the facts Halas
in his unwise disclosure touched off of Wild half
cooked unsubstantated that don't deserve the
light of publicity.
1t also to supply ammunition to the cynical
skepcS whom it is impossible to convince that anything
is on the level
Unfortunately of this helps probe hinders
it. The NFL not trying to duck its responsibility 1t
realizes the gravity of the charges and determined to get
to the bottom Of the affair quickly and thoroughly
humanity possible.
Nobody in his right mind should be so naive as to
discount the possibility of skuduggery Crookedness is
not impossible anywhere. The NFL for years has main
tanned constant surveillance trying to avoid scandal
There to believe it hasn't been doing good
job.
THERE HAS BEEN TALK for years that big g-name
stars in cahoots with the point shavers In Washing
ton, Sammy Baugh the chief object Of the scandal
mongerS Nobody checked more than Baugh both by
the Redskins and others Baugh emerged with his reputa
ton unblemiShed
This still didn't quiet the foul mouths Yet these same
accuses who pop off in saloons have dared confront
law enforcement agency and testify under oath to the
filth they pedde. One must they afraid to
because they don't really know, they just hear.
Paul Hornungs is being kicked around currently.
There concrete charges against Hornung any
others whose names mentioned only that they have
been seen with the wrong people There unquestonaby
Is good deal Of truth to this Hornung is swinging
guy he likes the cabaret and nightclub life.
So do many of us, but is this alone enough to
suggest might be crooked? If the Hornungs others
guilty of anything, it might be that they not
circumSpect or discreet
OTHERWISE THEY APPEAR to be guilty of nothing
except association In its constant surveillance of players
coaches and officials the NFL undoubtedly has ferreted
out pro football people whose behavior bad 1t is safe
to that something done besides merely making
a report
The tragedy Of the Halas action is that finger is
being pointed at everybody The I told you SOS"
having field day. They point back to games in which
they lost bet with the unfounded they
right in suspecting treachery in the first place.
There no suggestion here should one be read into
it, that charges should be huShed up The public has
right to know 1t buys tickets the assumption it will
see an honest effort Anything else is inexcusable.
Until such time that something is discovered, the
investigation should be made quietly without spotghting
loose talk, wild assertions, unfounded and
speculation This is what HalaS unwse preciptated
He has made the innocent suspect the guilty there
are any.