especially on the matter of Lambeau's contract. About 25 interested fans and representatives of the press and radio gathered in the corridors of the courthouse. A large number of them watched the meeting through the glass door. The session started at 7:40 and was officially over at 11:25. It was midnight when the last of the directors left. Twenty-one of the 24 directors were present to vote on Lambeau's contract and make financial recommendations. Absent were Charles Mathys, Edward Bedore, Russ Bogda and Fred L. Cobb. Directors attending were Emil R. Fischer, the president of the corporation, H.J. Bero, Milan Boex, Gerald F. Clifford, G.W. Calhoun, L.H. Joannes, Leslie J. Kelly, Dr. W.W. Kelly, F.J. Jonet, Fred Leicht, Harvey Lhost, John D. Moffatt, John E. Paeps, Gus Reimer, Arthur Schumacher, Ed Schuster, William Servotte, John Torinus, H.G. Wintgens and Lambeau. The vote was not announced. Directors announced that Lambeau will return to the head coaching position he gave up last Sept. 30 in order to move to the front office. At that time, Lambeau became advisory coach - at his own suggestion - and place his three assistants, Charley Brock, Bob Snyder and Tom Stidham, in charge of the club's field operations. Directors declined to comment on terms of the contract. His current five-year pact expires Dec. 31, 1949 and the new two-year contract will start Jan. 1, 1950. President Fischer, interviewed by reporters after the meeting, said that the contract of Packer Publicity Director George Strickland and the policy of playing some "home" games in Milwaukee each year were not discussed. He added, however, that there is a "strong possibility" that more league games will be played in Green Bay next year. Lambeau organized the Packers as a sandlot in 1919 after a year at Notre Dame, where he played fullback on Knute Rockne's 1918 squad. The now-defunct Acme Packing company put up $500 to outfit the team after agreeing with Lambeau that the word "Packers" would be placed on the jerseys. Though the Packing company went out of business, the name held on. Lambeau received the first franchise for Green Bay in the NFL on June 24, 1922 - practically the same day the NFL was born. Lambeau served as player-coach through 1928. After that season he retired to coaching and won three straight league championships in 1929, 1930 and 1931. The three in a row still stands as a league record. Lambeau-coached teams later took three more championships and never finished out of the league's first division until 1948 when the club had a 3-9 record. Thus far this year, the Packers won two and lost eight. The Packers' troubles started in 1948 when, after winning three impressive non-league games and a 31-0 league opener over the Boston Yanks. The Packers were trounced by the Bears here but whipped Detroit the following Sunday. The next Sunday, the Bays lost to the Cardinals, 17-7, and Lambeau fined the entire squad one-half of a game's pay for the showing against the Cardinals. After the fine, the Packers whipped Los Angeles, 16-0, but then lost every game. The losses included a 7-6 struggle with the Bears in Chicago. The 1949 season started with new optimism as the new assistants were added to replace Walt Kiesling and Bo Molenda. The club won two out of five non-league contests, but then lost to the Bears and Los Angeles Rams in league play, the loss to the Rams coming two days after Lambeau became advisory coach. A victory over the New York Bulldogs followed, but then came losses to the Cardinals and Rams. The team snapped back to beat Detroit, but then lost to the Bears, New York Giants, Pittsburgh and the Cardinals last Sunday. The team has two more games left - at Washington and Detroit. Though the Packers have lost eight games this season, the spirit of the squad was considered generally better than it was in 1948. At least three of the defeats were the result of defensive lapses made possible by inexperienced men, who had to be used because of injuries to regulars such as Irv Comp and Jack Jacobs. Lambeau stepped into the picture last Sunday, for instance, before the Cardinal game and asked the players to overlook the "reports of dissatisfaction" in Green Bay and "play to win this one for the good fans of Green Bay." Lambeau, of course, was referring to the thousands of fans who contributed $50,000 in the 10-day drive to save the Packers. The money was obtained in the sale of tickets to a Packer All Star game played at City stadium Thanksgiving day, and attended by 15,000 fans despite freezing weather. On the field Sunday, the Packers ran into a red-hot Cardinal team which scored 34 points in the first 20 minutes. Then the Packer spirit caught fire and the Bays counted 21 points in less than 10 minutes. During the last half, Green Bay battled the stronger Cards to a standstill. With all rumors and "reports of dissatisfaction" ending with last night's meeting, the 1949 Packers squad is free, so to speak, to keep its collective minds o the next opponents. Lambeau was on the practice field this afternoon as the team prepared for its game with Washington. The squad will leave Friday morning and next week will train at Hershey, Pa., in preparation for the finale against Detroit.
Chicago Cardinals (5-4-1) 41, Green Bay Packers (2-8) 21
Sunday November 27th 1949 (at Chicago)
Cochran and once on a 10-yard run by Pat Harder - all in the first quarter which ended 27 to 0. To make it blacker, the Cardinals successfully carried on an 80-yard TD drive to leave the Bays behind, 34 to 0, early in the second heat. In those horrible 20 minutes the Cardinals did everything right. They gained 98 yards on the ground and 140 in the air - not to mention 71 yards on the punt return for TD and a 40-yard return of an intercepted screen pass. At this point, the Packers looked embarrassed. The Cardinals struttin' around like a pack of peacocks and the 16,787 fans set up a howl for more blood - enough to better that 73-0. What really got under the Packer skin will probably never be known but - simply - they started playing football. In those delightful 10 minutes which well may go down as the high point of the 1949 season, the Bays were furious. They completed seven out of 10 passes for 125 yards - two from Jug Girard to Steve Pritko for touchdowns; covered 90 yards on the ground including a 54-yard bolt by the peerless Tony Canadeo and a one-yard smash for a touchdown by the same Mr. Canadeo; and intercepted a Cardinal pass. The touchdowns came on drives of 66, 80 and 46 yards. The Packers dominated play to such an extent that they controlled the ball for 23 plays in that 10 minute period while the Cards had it for only nine. The Cardinals "gained" a minus 13 yards in those fruitful 10 minutes. Let's review the Packers' Super Ten: Jack Kirby took the kickoff, following the Cards' fifth touchdown, on the six-yard line and raced back to the Packer 34 behind some pretty fair blocking. Girard fired a 28-yard pass to Bob Forte for a first down on the Cardinal 38. Girard then hooked a short pass to Dan Orlich for nine and Canadeo crashed for three more and another first down. The Packers received their first "break" when the officials detected interference on Girard's next pass on the 24. After Forte lost five yards, Bill Kelley made a nice catch of a Girard pass on the 15 and ran to the five. Canadeo then hit left guard for four yards and left tackle for the TD. Ted Fritsch kicked the point and the crowd let out a polite cheer. The Cardinals made nine yards in two tries but Ventan Yablonski was tossed back for a three-yard loss, forcing Cochran to punt. Kirby took the boot on the 10 and slammed to the 38 where he fumbled under a batch of Red and the Cards recovered. Mr. Forte, who played himself a terrific game all afternoon, intercepted Hardy's pass in the end zone and the Bays went into action. Canadeo opened the drive handsomely with a 54-yard run around right end to the Cardinal 26. While Tony rested, Ralph Earhart ran for three and then Girard tossed to Kelley for 18 yards and a first down on the five. Earhart punched it to the two but Canadeo was held for no gain on two smashes at the right side. Then, on fourth down, Girard ran to his right and lofted a short pass to Pritko who took the ball just inside the sideline and the end line for the score. With Ted's conversion, the score was 34-14. With less then three minutes left, the Packers started to smell the possibilities. Bill Johnson slammed Christman for a six-yard loss and a second down Christman pass went incomplete. Christman then hit Harder on a pass in the deep flat, but the Bays belted him back for a 13-yard loss. Cochran puned and Kirby received on the Packer 48 and raced back to the Card 46. Jack was hurt on the play and had to be helped from the field. There were only 40 seconds left when the Packers started their third touchdown success. Girard opened with a 22-yard pass to Pritko and then Heath was inserted to pass to Pritko again but it went incomplete. Girard reentered and incompleted one to Kelley. Then, on third down, Pritko, with a couple of Cardinals "hugging" him, caught Girard's strike in the end zone for the score. Joe Etheridge went in for Fritsch, who was injured on the previous play, to kick the extra point as the half ended. Thus ended - as it developed - the Packers' largest single game scoring total. The previous best was 19 in the shutout victory over the New York Bulldogs. Canadeo's big blast, his longest of the season, left him with 75 yards gained in the first half. He picked off 49 in the last half on only seven trips to finish with 122 in 20 attempts for the afternoon. Tony now has 953 yards in 176 attempts - just 55 yards short of the league record of 1,008 set by Steve Van Buren in 1947. Canadeo now has averaged 95.3 yards in 10 games. His per-trip average is 5.4 yards. Canadeo almost outgained the entire Cardinals' dream backfield - Charley Trippi, Elmer Angmsan and Pat Harder who totaled up only 127 yards. Trippi and Harder each posted 48 yards and Angsman made 32. Though they couldn't score, the Packers gave the Cardinals a fit in the last half. The Cards' only touchdown came in the fourth quarter and it was something of a gift - two penalties setting the stage. The drive started on the 50 with a 27-yard Hardy to Mal Kutner pass. A couple of the Bays pushed Kutner out of bounds and the officials decided that the Packers were a bit too rough. The 15-yard penalty gave the Cards possession on the Packers 10. In two attempts, the Cards couldn't budge the Packer line so Hardy fired a pass that fell incomplete. But the officials announced to one and all that Bob Summerhays, who was five yards behind the intended receiver, had interfered. That gave the Cards first down on the five and Angsman ripped it over on first down. With the exception of that one TD, the last half was a deadlock as the Packer line murdered Trippi, Angsman and Harder. Until the last play of the third quarter, the Packers made two first downs and the Cards one as Girard and Cochran engaged in a punting duel. Near the end of the period, Girard punted to Trippi on the Card 38 and he returned to midfield. A Hardy to Kutner pass moved to the Packer 19 but vicious tackling as the fourth quarter opened forced Trippi to fumble and Ken Kranz picked up the loose ball and ran 10 yards to the Packer 15. After Canadeo moved the ball 12 yards in two tries, the Packers started firing long passes though there were 10 minutes left. Girard finally had to punt and the Cards were forced to punt after they lost 11 yards in three tries on their own 17. The heat set in after three Girard passes went incomplete. Girard, booting from his own 40, got off a poor punt that went out of bounds on the Cardinal 48. This misfortune was corrected a moment later when Urban Odson recovered Trippi's second fumble at midfield but on the next play Girard's long pass was intercepted by Jerry Davis on the 20 and returned to the 50. From there, the Cards went on to their sixth TD. In the interests of accurate journalism, the first 20 minutes of this contest must be reviewed but we'll make it brief. The Cardinals received and had a touchdown in four plays, covering 72 yards. The payoff was a 48-yard pass play from Hardy to Bob Ravensburg, who took it on the 40 and ran over with little resistance. The Packers bounced back with a first down, Canadeo licking up six yards and Forte four, but they soon had to punt. Girard got off a 12-yard boot and that put the Cards in position again but the Bay line held, thanks to a good tackle by Pritko and Coachran had to punt. The Cards quickly got the ball again and, after several measurements, scored on a pass from Hardy to Kutner in the end zone. Harder, trying for his second point after, booted wide to make it 13-0. A minute later, Cochran took Girard's punt and raced 71 yards to a TD. Harder didn't miss and it was 20-0. With nothing left to do but pass, Heath tried a third down screener throw but John Goldsbery, a tackle, intercepted it on the Packer 46 and raced to the 10. Harder went over from the 10 on second down and added the extra point. So it was 27-0 as the first quarter ended. To further embarrass the Pack, the Cards put on an 80-yard march at the start of the second quarter, with Christman passing to Ravensburg the last 40 yards. Harder's kick made it 34-0. At this point the Packers called a halt!
GREEN BAY - 0 21 0 0 - 21
CHI CARDS - 27 7 0 7 - 41
1st - CHI - Bob Ravensberg, 48-yard pass from Jim Hardy (Pat Harder kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 7-0
1st - CHI - Mal Kutner, 11-yard pass from Hardy (Harder kick failed) CHICAGO CARDINALS 13-0
1st - CHI - Red Cochran, 71-yard punt return (Harder kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 20-0
1st - CHI - Harder, 10-yard run (Harder kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 27-0
2nd - CHI - Ravensberg, 40-yard pass from Paul Christman (Harder kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 34-0
2nd - GB - Tony Canadeo, 4-yard run (Ted Fritsch kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 34-7
2nd - GB - Steve Pritko, 2-yard pass from Jug Girard (Fritsch kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 34-14
2nd - GB - Pritko, 24-yard pass from Girard (Joe Etheridge kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 34-21
4th - CHI - Elmer Angsman, 5-yard run (Harder kick) CHICAGO CARDINALS 41-21
Reporters wait while the Packers’ board of directors meets for four hours in the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay on Nov. 30, 1949, deliberating the fate of coach and general manager Curly Lambeau. From left are Lee Remmel, Art Daley and Dave Yuenger of the Green Bay Press-Gazette; Packers publicity director George Strickler, Don Arthur of radio station WDUZ, Bob Savage of radio station WBAY and Earl Gillespie of WJPG, the Press-Gazette’s radio station. (Press-Gazette Media archives)
Green Bay Packers coach and general manager Curly Lambeau, left, walks out of a meeting at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay on Nov. 30, 1949, at which his contract was renewed for two years. From left are Lambeau, team president Emil Fischer and Green Bay Press-Gazette sports writer Art Daley, who's listening to a statement by team director John Torinus.
Dupont on the ground that his conclusions had not been supported by a post mortem examination, and asked that his testimony be stricken. The motion was overruled…FOUND BROKEN MAIL BOX: Other afternoon witnesses included Edward W. Forkin, Darling’s hunting companion the day before the accident; Ivan Mataya and Clayton Liebergen, bartenders, respectively, at the Union hotel and the Old Dutch tavern. Their testimony followed the same general lines as at the coroners’ inquest on Nov. 4. Forkin said that, after Darling had taken him home, they met again in the Union hotel bar, and that Forkin reminded Darling of a dinner date with his wife that he had mentioned on the way in. When Forkin dropped in at the Union hotel again after a Rotary meeting, Darling was still there, and Forkin arranged to have him driven home to keep his engagement, he said. Mataya told of the search for Darling’s accident, and discovery of a broken mailbox which the searchers assumed was what Darling had hit. No one regarded his story too seriously, Mataya said. Liebergen told of serving Darling two drinks; he drank half of one and did not touch the other, but went into the kitchen to eat spaghetti, according to witnesses.
CONSIDERATION OF LAMBEAU'S CONTRACT WILL BRING A SHOWDOWN WEDNESDAY
NOV 29 (Milwaukee Journal) - The board of directors of the Green Bay Packers will meet in the Brown County courthouse Wednesday night to consider (1) the renewal of Curly Lambeau's contract as coach and general manager and (2) the precarious financial position of the club. Lambeau's five year contract, which was given him after he had won his sixth league championship in 1944, will expire January 1. It calls for $25,000 a year. The meeting may well be one of the most momentous in Green Bay's football history since it probably will bring the oft postponed showdown between Lambeau and the small but articulate faction on the board opposed to him. Other meetings have always ducked a showdown, including an executive committee meeting last week at which Lambeau outlined drastic plans for reorganization of the club, extending to conditions in his own contract. Now, though, it cannot be ducked - at least for long. Lambeau's contract required immediate attention...SNIPE AT EACH OTHER: The anti-Lambeau faction, headlined by Dr. W.W. Kelly, Lee Joannes, Jerry Clifford and George Calhoun, all of whom at one time were among Lambeau's closest friends, have sniped unrelentingly at him since he removed them from a close connection with the team. Lambeau has sniped back. Kelly was team doctor for years. He was dropped when he no longer cared to make the longer trips with the team. He is in his seventies. Calhoun, an employee of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, was publicity director for years. He was dropped when Lambeau sought a full time publicity man and public relations director three years ago and brought in George Strickler. Joannes was president of the club. He was ousted in a club row three years ago in which Lambeau himself sought the job. Emil Fischer was elected president as a compromise. Clifford was the club's lawyer. He was occasionally bypassed in club affairs. All four - Kelly, Clifford, Calhoun and Joannes - are on the board of directors. Clifford is also on the executive committee...RETRENCHMENT ATTEMPTED: While a real showdown between Lambeau and his critics has been avoided so far, the men opposed to him have been able, in recent years, to restrict Lambeau's authority. Where, at one time, he directed all affairs of the club with a free hand and the benign blessing of a not too interested executive committee or board of directors, he now must deal with committees - a finance committee, a ground committee, a players' contract committee, etc. As recently as last Sunday, Strickler was ordered by the finance committee not to accompany the team to Chicago for the Cardinal game and did not, although in line with his work, he previously always had. Lambeau was helpless to change the order. And as recently as two weeks ago, one of the committees sought to have traveling arrangements to the Pittsburgh game in Milwaukee changed. The club has always arrived in Milwaukee Saturday night for a Sunday game. The committee wanted Lambeau to leave Green Bay Sunday morning. "My gosh!" said the town wag when the news got around. "Why don't they travel by bus and give the boys a box lunch!"...FINANCIAL PLIGHT: The financial plight of the club has been a particularly fertile field for the critics of Lambeau. On the club's recent trip to Los Angeles, a subcommittee of the executive committee arbitrarily ordered Lambeau to cut five players off the roster whose salaries totaled $3,500 a week. Lambeau did not cut five players, but he did cut certain salaries, including his own and Jack Jacobs'. Jacobs, one of the high priced players on the club, who has been injured much of the fall, was cut $3,500. Lambeau has fought back. He fought back most bitterly at the executive club meeting a week ago - the meeting which President Emil Fischer called "merely routine". Lambeau outline drastic plans for reorganization of the club. He demanded removal of most of his outspoken critics from any connection with the club whatsoever. He demanded a clause in his contract which would permit him to spend six months of the year in California. He demanded absolute control in the hiring and firing personnel, which now must be done through committees. He left few loopholes for a compromise. Either he runs the club or he does not. With only five weeks before his contract expires and with the club about to leave on a trip to Washington and Detroit for the final games of the season, the board Wednesday night is almost certain to take some definite action. The battle lines have been drawn and the campaigning, especially by the anti-faction, has been strong. There may even be parliamentary squabbling before the vote, for around Green Bay there have been hints that the "anti" faction is going to insist on a secret vote. "Over our dead bodies," say the Lambeau forces.
LAMBEAU'S STATUS GETS AIRING
NOV 29 (Green Bay) - Renewal of Curly Lambeau's reported $25,000 contract as head man of the Green Bay Packers will be discussed Wednesday night at a board of director's meeting. Lambeau, founder of the NFL club 30 years ago and its head coach until early this season, has been under fire by a faction of the board most of the year. His current five year contract, said to call for $25,000 annually, runs out January 1. The board will consider also the financial situation facing the club. An intrasquad Thanksgiving Day game, promoted by a group of businessmen, raised $50,000, but reports have it the amount is not sufficient to pull the treasury into the black. The Packers, once a power in the NFL and one of the best drawing road teams in the circuit, have won only five league games in the past two years and have slumped consquently at the gate. Operated by a non-profit corporation, the club has no financial reserves from which to draw. Lambeau, who held the posts of general manager, vice president and head coach for many years, has been devoting his time to rebuilding and restrengthening the club. Three previous assistants - Tom Stidham, Bob Snyder and Charley Brock - took over field operations. Wednesday night's meeting - a closed affair with only the 25 members of the board present - is expected to bring the entire situation to a head.
COLTS NEED $250,000 TO FIELD 1950 ELEVEN
NOV 29 (Baltimore) - The Baltimore Colts sent up another financial distress signal Monday. Club owners announced they didn't have enough money to guarantee operation of the All-America Conference football team next season. Baltimore is the second professional football team forced to replenish the till this year. Green Bay of the National League recently announced it was seeking financial assistance from its fans. Charles P. McCormick, chairman of the Colt board of directors, said the organization lost between $70,000 and $100,000 this season. This left insufficient capital to start next year. McCormick said they need $250,000 which the hope to raise by selling 50,000 tickets at $5 apiece to an exhibition game to be played next August. The conference requires each member to have that much in the bank at the start of the season. It's the second time that financial weakness has threatened the franchise which was transferred to Baltimore three years ago from Miami. Robert Rodenberg, initial sponsor here, was forced to quit after one season. A group of about 15 businessmen headed by McCormick, owner of a wholesale grocery company, stepped in to assume ownership. The Colt announcement of financial weakness is expected to fan anew the talk of merger between the All-America and National loops. Retention of Baltimore was reported to be a stumbling block in such a discussion held last year in Philadelphia.
AAC CLAIMS NEW MEMBER
NOV 29 (Baltimore) - All-America Conference Commissioner O.O. Kessing says not only will his professional football circuit operate next year but that it will have a new member. "We want two leagues - not a merger," said Kessing in reference to talk of joining the NFL instead of fighting it out at the box office. "We're making plans to come back next season with an eight-team league." Kessing declined to name the new leader, saying, "I think any announcement should come from the city involved." Houston is believed to be the most likely sponsor. The conference will hold its annual meeting there December 15-16 and the champion team will meet all-stars from the other members in an exhibition game there December 17. The conference became a seven team league when the Brooklyn and New York clubs were consolidated.
'WE GET 34 IN A HURRY AND...' LAMBEAU GIVES PRE-GAME TALK
NOV 28 (Chicago) - Although he was concerned at the time about the condition of his No. 1 field general, Jim Hardy, the Chicago Cardinals Raymond (Buddy) Parker took time out to observe, "It was kind of a funny game," on the muddy turf of Comiskey park Sunday afternoon. Parker, who assumed the Big Red's head coaching reins since the Packers last met the Cardinals in Milwaukee, had been discussing the nature of a severe eye injury to Hardy with the club physician and was manifestly upset at the thought of losing his ace QB for the balance of the season. "What I mean is," the Cards' lean, baby-faced chief strategist explained, "we get 34 points in a hurry - then have it turn out to be a good ball game when you come right back with 21 of your own. That doesn't happen very often." Did he expect it to be a tough game? "Absolutely, we expected it to be a good, tough ball game. The Packers are always tough as far as we're concerned, make no mistake about that," Parker declared with emphasis. "I've never seen a Packer team quit. I've been around the league a long time," he repeated, "and I've never seen the Packers quit." Was he surprised to see the Packers come back like they did in the second quarter and the last half? "Yes, I was surprised because you know what we got off pretty good by scoring those 34 points and I never figured that they would come back that strong. That was quite a ball game the second half, you know. We couldn't get anywhere."...LOOK BETTER DEFENSIVELY: Did he think the Packers were improved over their performance against the Cardinals in Milwaukee? Again there came a definite affirmative. "Absolutely. They looked much better offensively - that was the most Girard has thrown all season, wasn't it? And I thought they looked better defensively. It wasn't so good the first half but they were very good defensively the second half." After leaning over the bleacher railing to inform Mrs. Charles Bidwill (one of the club's officials) of Hardy's injury, Parker returned to report he had been impressed with Girard's efforts on offense, both as a passer and runner. With that, the elongated Texan left for the Cardinal dressing room to congratulate his underlings and secure an optical surgeon's report on the condition of Hardy's eye, which it was reported had been accidentally pierced during the third period. The club physician had told Parker it was feared surgery might be necessary...Coach Curly Lambeau called the squad together in the dressing room just before the game. "We have had some unpleasant situations - I think you all have heard about them," he told the players, "and it makes for a bad situation for the ball club. It's unfortunate that it does exist - but it does. I think the stories going around Green Bay are highly exaggerated, but, nevertheless, it's still a bad situation For that reason," he continued, "now is a good time to find out who are our athletes and go out and win the ball game for the good fans of Green Bay. We expect everybody to do their best and we're going out to win this game. If we don't win, and everybody puts out to the best of his ability, that's all we can ask. Let's see some viciousness out there," he yelled. "This is a good day to get vicious - rock 'em and sock 'em all day. All eleven men should be ready to do their job. We can do better than we have," Lambeau barked, adding, "we have a situation where we want to look like a ball club. I'd like you to go out and win this ball game for the good fans of Green Bay. When you leave the ball game at any time, the only thing to think about is about going back in," Curly told them. "Let's have some guts all through the ball game." Between halves, he radiated confidence. "Now we know that we can do it, boys," he declared. "We know we can score and that we can win. All we need is two touchdowns and we'll be ahead. And what's two touchdowns? All we've got to do is keep this fire and we'll score and they won't be able to." Just before the team left the dressing room to return to the field for the second half, he gave them a pep talk in a similar vein. The players responded enthusiastically with a spirited yell that boded, which subsequent events were to prove, no good for the Cardinals...Phil Handler, who has been a player, coach and official of the Cardinals for 20 years, was honored in a ceremony on the field before the game. He was presented with a down payment on a house, with Sun-Times columnist Irv Kupcinet making the presentation, and a camera, film and a screen - the latter items by members of the Cardinal squad. Bill Dewell, captain and veteran end, represented the team...The Cardinals got away with a bit of skullduggery just before the half that either went unnoticed by the officials or the men in stripes chose to ignore the incident. Jay Rhodemyre broke through and tackled Pat Harder, Cardinal fullback, for a substantial loss. As Referee Ronald Gibbs' whistle blew, indicating the ball was dead, an unidentified Cardinal hustled through the air to land on the pair (Harder and Rhodemyre). Normally, a 15-yard penalty is visited upon the offending team, in a situation of this kind, for unnecessary roughness...Although he was happy to get as far as he did, Tony Canadeo was angry with himself after he was dropped on the Cardinal 26-yard line in the second quarter following his 54-yard canter. "Catching me from behind," Tony lamented to Backfield Coach Bob Snyder, "that's what burns me up." In the final analysis, however, the Cardinals had delayed the fiery Gray Ghost only temporarily. He shortly carried the ball over from the one-yard line for the Packers' first touchdown...The Packers played under the lights for the third time in a league game this season yesterday afternoon. Although it was not yet 3:30, the Cardinal management turned on the arcs at the start of the fourth quarter. They are, of course, the same bulbs used by the Chicago White Sox for their night baseball games...Believe it or not, the Packers were penalized because an official procrastinated. It was in the fourth quarter and the Cardinals had kicked off to the Packers. Packer Line Coach Tom Stidham noticed that the artificial tee used by the Cardinals on the kickoff lay on the practice field, where it could easily cause a runner to stumble. He called it to the attention of Back Judge Claude Grigsby as the Bays lined up on offense. Grigsby trotted over to pick up the tee and throw it to the Cardinal bench, during which time the Packers relaxed, waiting for Grigsby to resume his position. As soon as he did, however, Grigsby looked at his watch, blew his whistle and penalized the PACKERS for taking too much time in the huddle!...An unexpected visitor to the Packer dressing room before the game was Adam Walsh, former head coach of the Los Angeles Rams when that team operated out of Cleveland. Walsh, who left the Rams after the 1946 season, has returned to Bowdoin college, where he was head coach before going into the pro ranks...A familiar face on the ramp outside of the dressing room after the contest was that of Roger Frabel, who pitched for the Bluejays in 1947 and '48. Roger, who says he has been assigned to Oklahoma City of the Class AA Texas league for 1950, established a record while with Harrisburg in the Class B Inter-State circuit last season. He made 56 appearances as a relief hurler to break the loop's former record of 49, the while winning eight game while losing three.
CIFERS RELEASED
NOV 28 (Green Bay) - The Packer roster was reduced to 31 players with the release of back Bob Cifers over the weekend. The roster does not include Irv Comp, the injured defensive back who is on the reserve list. Cifers came to the Packers this season from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
COURT JAMMED FOR DARLING HEARING TODAY
NOV 28 (Green Bay) - Preliminary hearing of Bernard (Boob) Darling on one count of first degree manslaughter and two of negligent homicide got underway in municipal court this morning, with the likelihood that it would last all day. The charges against Darling grew out of the death of Shirley Mae Trout, 15, Allouez, fatally injured by a hit-and-run driver as she walked home from a bus Halloween night. Darling's station wagon is alleged to have been the fatal vehicle. Testimony this morning followed the same general trend as that at the coroner's inquest held shortly after the accident. Mrs. Steve Bergin, Allouez, told of finding the body on her way to work; Mrs. Marian Thyes, who lives nearby, testing that around midnight she saw an automobile, apparently a panel truck or a station wagon, coming down Mission road without lights, and heard a thud as it apparently struck something. Coroner Alvin J. Dupont testified to his investigation, and stated that death appeared to have occurred around 5 a.m., about five hours after the accident. County Traffic Officer Jules Coppens was on the stand at noon. Municipal court was jammed at the hearing, with standing room at a premium. Darling sat at the counsel table with his attorneys, Cletus Chadek, Green Bay, and William Morris, De Pere. District Attorney Robert Parins, with Colburn Cheney, assistant, conducted the examination for the state. Other cases, involving several truck violation cases, were postponed. Linus Gould, state traffic inspector, said some of the truck cases have been put over until next Monday.
BALTIMORE TO QUIT ALL-AMERICA?
NOV 28 (Baltimore) - Owners of the Baltimore Colts announced today that they lacked the capital to insure operation of the All-America conference football team next season. Charles P. McCormick, chairman of the board of businessmen who operate the club, said the Colts had lost between $70,000 and $100,000 during the season that ended yesterday. The Colts averaged 23,000 attendance at six home games. McCormick said the losses left the owners with insufficient capital to guarantee next year's operation. He simultaneously announced a citywide "Save The Colts" campaign designed to raise $250,000 which would keep the Baltimore franchise. The money is to be raised by selling 50,000 tickets at $5 apiece for an exhibition game to be played next August.
CLYDE GOODNIGHT OUT TO PLAGUE PACKERS AS SKINS' DEFENSIVE BACK
NOV 30 (Green Bay) - The Packers will bump into an old friend, Dr. Clyde Goodnight, when they meet the Redskins out in Washington Sunday. Goodnight was released by the Packers shortly after the Bear game here last Sept. 25, and a week late caught on with the Redskins. The former Tulsa star was installed at offensive left end under Hugh Taylor, the Redskins’ talented pass catcher who ranks sixth in the league in that department. However, in the last four games, Goodnight has popped up as a defensive back which means that he’ll be bumping into his former Tulsa and Packer teammate, Nolan Luhn. Goodnight and Luhn joined the Packers in 1945 and were known as the Tulsa Twins. What’s more, Clyde is a left defensive back which means that he’ll be trailing the Packer right ends, including Luhn, most of the day. However, on the basis of play in the Packer-Cardinal game Sunday, Goodnight may see a lot of Steve Pritko and Bill Kelley, the other right ends. Pritko, who had played mostly on defense until last Sunday, caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Jug Girard, and Kelley figured in two lengthy receptions – one setting up a touchdown. Speaking about passing, the Packers conducted a stiff defensive drill this afternoon designed to stop the bullet throws of the immortal Sammy Baugh. The aging veteran, who signed for the 1950 season the other day – his 14th – specializes in short hook passes. The Packers didn’t see much of Baugh in a non-league game in Milwaukee last Sept. 11 because one Harry Gilmer had enough success to defeat the Packers. Gilmer, besides completing a lot of passes, ran for big gains…TRAIN AT HERSHEY, PA.: The Packers have designs on finishing the 1949 season with a better record than in 1948. The present team has a record of two wins and eight losses, and victories in their last two games are needed to better the 1948 record of 3-9. After meeting Washington, the Packers invade Detroit for the season’s finale. The Packers whipped Detroit, 16-14, in the first meeting at Milwaukee. The team’s only other victory was a 19-0 decision over the New York Bulldogs. The Packers will leave Green Bay Friday morning on the 11 o’clock North Western and arrive in Washington Saturday morning. They’ll train next week in Hershey, Pa., for the Detroit game. Most of the players are expected to return to Green Bay before leaving for home.
FATE OF PACKER TEAM NOT AT STAKE AT MEETING TONIGHT
NOV 30 (Green Bay) - The board of directors of Green Bay Packers, Inc., meets tonight at the courthouse to consider and act on the contract of E.L. (Curly) Lambeau for the 1950 season. Lambeau is general manager, vice president and head coach of the Packers, although two months ago today he assumed – at his own request – the ranking of advisory coach. The new, or changed, capacity included placing the field work of the team in charge of Assistants Bob Snyder, Tom Stidham and Charley Brock, thus creating a unique but unworkable quad-coaching setup. Tonight’s meeting has been built up like a Bear-Packer game by the press and radio during the last few days. Like the coaches before a real Bear-Packer game, neither side (for Lambeau and against Lambeau) has issued any statements. The types of defenses and offenses are off the record. Nobody wants to be quoted. Pregame “practice” is strictly secret. Unlike a real Bear-Packer game, however, is the fact that there will be no spectators – and no press and radio. The out-of-Green Bay press, which includes agencies distributing news to papers throughout the country, somehow has taken the view that the fate of Green Bay’s Packers will be decided tonight. Though we have not gone overboard for either side in the matter, we would like to correct the Green Bay-fate impression. Regardless of what those 24 directors do tonight, the Packers will remain in Green Bay. We have (and you’ve already read it in this newspaper) the word of NFL Commissioner Bert Bell that the league wants Green Bay. The Lambeau matter, as far as the league is concerned, is strictly a Green Bay problem. Tonight's meeting will decide the pattern for the Packers' future, but not their fate. The future includes operating with or without Lambeau. Nobody connected with Green Bay Packers, Inc., has ever entertained the idea that the Packers will leave Green Bay. The corporation's policy has been to act on each problem as it arises -- with an eye on the future. The Lambeau contract has taken on different aspects because of conflicting opinions originating, in the past two weeks, from various news sources - though nothing has been official. Tonight, the board of directors will hear evidence on both sides and then make its decision. That decision then must be respected and carried out by both factions for the good of the Packers and their future. There must be no crying over slipped (or unspilled) milk. Despite any personal feelings, the board must gather together immediately after making its Lambeau decision and cement plans for the future. After all, the future is close - a matter of less than two months hence, when the league drafts players and sets its schedule for 1950.
PACKERS MAY BE INSTRUMENT OF PEACE IN PRO FOOTBALL WAR
NOV 30 (Milwaukee Journal) - The Green Bay Packers unwittingly may become one of the instruments of peace between the rival National and All-America professional football leagues. If Curly Lambeau is retained as general manager at the meeting of the Packers' board of directors tonight, when a new contract, if any, will be considered, Green Bay undoubtedly will continue in the National league. The league has always had a friendly feeling toward him. It has recognized his service since the league's inception, has valued his counsel and has gone along with him, although it has not infrequently chaffed at the presence of so small a community in a major league. If Lambeau is fired, the National league may well apply pressure to have the franchise moved. There have been little hints of this. It might take time, but it could be done. And without Green Bay, the league could go into negotiations with the All-America free to take in three of this rivals' cities. Cleveland and San Francisco are a cinch to go into the National league when peace is restored, as it finally must be in this suicidal war. The stumbling block has been Baltimore or Buffalo - a 13th member as the National league stands now but the 12th if Green Bay should be dropped. Baltimore happens to be in financial distress at the moment, hut has already started another move to save the franchise. Buffalo, with a team in the All-America playoff, is all steamed up again. The meeting tonight, then, may have wide implications. It could echo right into the meeting hall, where the two leagues will eventually sit to iron out their long standing differences. In Green Bay, meanwhile, the Lambeau and anti-Lambeau forces in the club's muddled affairs were drawn into battle array Wednesday morning for Wednesday night's showdown in the Brown County courthouse. Lambeau's new contract must be disposed of by the board - and there can be no more delay. His present five year contract will expire January 1. The anti-Lambeau forces, led by Dr. W.W. Kelly, George Calhoun, Lee Joannes and Jerry Clifford, all members of the board, have campaigned vigorously. All at one time were close friends of Lambeau. One report Wednesday morning had them calling a rump meeting for Wednesday afternoon to marshal their forces. Lambeau, in turn, has fought back just as vigorously - at least since he finished last week's money raising campaign. At an executive committee meeting last week, he laid down a drastic reorganization plan for the distressed Packers which included these demands: 1. That men who have harassed him for years because of personal differences be eliminated from the Packer organization. 2. That he be given sole responsibility for hiring and firing. 3. That his new contract provide that he may live in California six months of the year, out of the football season. The first demand is aimed primarily at Joannes, Calhoun, Dr. Kelly and Clifford who, through board action or executive committee action, have forced him to deal through committees in various matters in which at one time he had a free hand. The second is pointed at such a situation as arose last week when the executive board ordered George Strickler, assistant general manager and publicity director, not to attend the Cardinal game in Chicago although Lambeau wanted him there, also at the situation which arose several weeks ago when the executive committee ordered him arbitrarily to cut the payroll $3,500 a week by firing five players. The third is aimed at wide criticism that he spends too much time in California. Lambeau is married to a California girl and in recent years has spent most of the winter and spring months at his home near Santa Monica. The fight is certain to be a bitter one. The anti-Lambeau forces are implacable. So is Lambeau. Either he runs the club as he wants to, or he doesn't run it. The whole future of Green Bay in professional football is at stake tonight - and some of the future of all professional football.
ALL-AMERICA SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE
NOV 30 (New York) - It looks as though the All-America Football conference, despite all of its troubles, will be an eight team league in 1950. Commissioner O.O. Kessing announced Tuesday that the Richmond (Va.) Rebels of the American Football league had requested membership in the conference. In Richmond, Jack Seibold, president of the club, said the Rebels had been "tentatively offered" an eighth berth in the league following a meeting of conference officials in Baltimore Sunday. He said he would seek, through pledges, if Richmond enters the league, to assure an advance sale of between 15,000 and 20,000 season tickets in order to ward off financial losses. Seibold also said he would approach Richmond civic organization for pledges of support. Meanwhile, the Houston Post said oilman Glenn McCarthy had also received franchise players. McCarthy said a few weeks ago he definitely was interested in a pro franchise for his city. The Post said five or six Houstonians would operate the franchise with McCarthy. Rice Institute's new stadium, seating 50,000, would be used.
COMPLETE HARMONY IN NEW PACKER ERA; TEAM OFF FOR REDSKIN CONTEST
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - The Packers launched a new era today – with complete harmony. Growing out of a spirited but business-like four hour meeting of the board of directors Wednesday night, the harmony needed to carry on successfully in the NFL was exemplified by two Packer officials today – Emil R. Fischer, president of Green Bay Packers, Inc., and Curly Lambeau, general manager and head coach. Lambeau pointed out that all differences had been aired out and settled. “I am satisfied we now will have complete harmony in the organization for the first time in four years,” Lambeau said, “Wednesday’s meeting cleared the air. All major points in connection with our operation and my contract were settled on the floor and only a few minor details need to be clarified. The executive committee is straightening out these points now.”…ASSISTANTS TO RETURN: “I will take a definite part in the coaching of the team next year,” the dean of the National league coaches continued. “I still believe we have one of the best groups of assistants in football and they will be back with the club next fall.” Lambeau had turned the field operations over to his assistants, Tom Stidham, Charlie Brock and Bob Snyder, early this season, after 30 years as head coach, to devote more time to rebuilding the Packers into a contender. Fischer verified the outlook for harmony when he revealed that the board members had voted overwhelmingly for the renewal of Lambeau's contract...PASSED ANOTHER CRISIS: "The Packers," said Fischer, "have successfully passed another crisis and are back on a sound footing. As far as Green Bay is concerned, this can be the start of a new era. Such interruptions are embarrassing and apparently unavoidable, occasionally. But they are far from fatal. We're ready to move toward a championship again." The club is on a sound financial basis, Fischer said, commenting on the board's recommendation that the stockholders authorize the issuance of $200,000 in stock at $10 a share. "We have a sizeable backlog of investments, including Rockwood, which could not
be replaced for $100,000," he explained. "We own our own stadium and there is a considerable amount in paid-up insurance policies. Along with the $50,000 the fans of Green Bay raised voluntarily on Thanksgiving as a gesture of good faith in the club, we are in good, sound shape."...AN OBSOLETE ORGANIZATION: "But we are operating with an obsolete organization, geared to professional football 15 years ago, an organization that is too inflexible to meet the many new and complex problems that have grown out of the game's rapid and tremendous progress in recent seasons." By floating an additional stock issue, Fischer pointed out, the corporation would bring itself more in line with present day major league operations. The new issue, when approved by the stockholders, would not be limited to Wisconsin residents...The Packers left Green Bay this morning on the 11 o'clock North Western where they'll tangle with the Redskins Sunday afternoon. The squad was made up of 29 players - three under the National league limit. Two players were placed on waivers Thursday afternoon - veteran tackle Urban Odson of Minnesota and rookie halfback Jack Kirby. Odson was in his fourth season with the Packers, while Kirby joined the club shortly after leaving the Redskins earlier this season. The Packers concentrated on their passing game Thursday afternoon, with Jug Girard, Stan Heath and Jack Jacobs working under the center. All of the ends included Larry Craig, the defensive ace, took part in a long passing drill. As Craig put in, "I'd like to catch one off the ears of old Doc." Craig was talking about Dr. Clyde Goodnight, the former Packer end who is now a defensive back for the Redskins. The Packers may get a look at a four-man line Sunday. The coaches pointed out that the Redskins used the novel defense against the New York Giants and Chuck Conerly. The Packers will move into Hershey, Pa., next Monday to prepare for the final game of the season at Detroit the following Sunday. Most of the players will return to Green Bay after the finale to close out personal business.
KAUKAUNA TRIO SEND $30 FOR PACKER STOCK
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - The announcement Wednesday night that the board of directors of Green Bay Packers, Inc., had authorized issuance of $200,000 in stock at $10 a share brought quick response today - from Kaukauna. Art Daley, sports editor of the Press-Gazette, received the following letter this morning from Arthur H. Mongin, Jr.: "We not that the Green Bay Packers, Inc., are planning to sell 20,000 shares of stock at $10 per share. Please inform the corporation that as of now they will have only 19,997 shares more to dispose of. Enclosed you will find $30 to cover three shares. Please have these made out to the following: Carl J. Hansen, 201 Diedrich street, Kaukauna. James W. Lang, 309 W. Wisconsin avenue, Kaukauna. Arthur H. Mongin, Jr., 313 W. 11th street, Kaukauna." The check for $30 was dated Dec. 1. The decision to recommend issuance of stock was made Nov. 30. Hansen, Lang and Mongin are among the many Packer boosters in Kaukauna. They were active in the Packer Backers' recent $50,000 campaign. Packer officials pointed out today that issuance of the stock has not been approved by the stockholders and details of the issue have not been worked out. The $30 check will be held until the stock is available, probably shortly after Jan. 1.
WAIVERS ARE ASKED
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers Friday asked waivers on tackle Urban Odson and halfback Jack Kirby. Odson, former Minnesota all-American, has been with the club for five seasons. Kirby, a rookie, led Southern California to a 14-14 tie with Notre Dame last year.
ALL IS QUIET ON PACKER FRONT; A BRIGHT FUTURE IS PREDICTED
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - All was peace and quiet again in the front office of the Green Bay Packers Friday and everybody in the organization apparently was satisfied except the handful of diehards who voted, at Wednesday night's board of directors meeting, against keeping Curly Lambeau as coach and general manager. Twenty-two of the 25 directors were present. Lambeau, who organized the Packers in 1919, was given a new two year contract including terms which he insisted upon. "I am satisfied we will not have complete harmony in the organization for the first time in four years," Lambeau said. "Wednesday's meeting cleared the air. I'm sorry we didn't have such a meeting sooner. All major points in our operation and my contract were discussed and settled on the floor. Only a few minor details remain to be clarified. The executive committee is straightening out these details now." Emil Fischer, president of the club, echoed Lambeau's sentiments although he added that he though The Milwaukee Journal's stories preceding the board meeting were "vicious." "The Packers have successfully passed another crisis and are back on a sound football," he said. "As far as Green Bay is concerned, this can be the start of a new era. Such interruptions as we have had are embarrassing, but apparently unavoidable occasionally. They are far from fatal, though. We're ready to move toward a championship again." The club is on a sound financial basis, Fischer added, commenting on the board's recommendation the issuance of $200,000 in stock at $10 a share. "We have a sizable backlog in investments, including Rockwood lodge," he explained. "We own our own stadium and there is a considerable amount in paidup insurance policies. Along with the $50,000 the fans of Green Bay raised voluntarily on Thanksgiving day as a gesture of good faith in the club, we are in good, sound shape. But we have operated with an obsolete organization, geared to professional football 15 years ago, an organization that was too inflexible to meet the many new and complex problems that have grown out of the game's rapid and tremendous progress in recent seasons." By floating an additional stock issue, Fischer pointed out, the corporation would bring itself more in line with present day major league operations. The new issue, when approved by the stockholders, will not be limited to Wisconsin residents, he said. At the weekly quarterback club meeting Thursday night, Curly Lambeau indicated he might resume the active head coaching job next season.
LAMBEAU TO RESUME AS HEAD COACH
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - Curly Lambeau, in answer to a question at the weekly Quarterback Club meeting Thursday night, said he plans to resume as active head coach of the Green Bay Packers next season. "At the present time, I certainly intend to," Lambeau said. Elaborating of his present status, following his victory over an anti-Lambeau faction in Wednesday night's special directors meeting, Lambeau intimated he expected to have the major portions of his duties as general manager and the details of his rebuilding program worked out on a schedule that will permit him to take up his head coaching duties again. Lambeau delegated the actual coaching of the team to his three assistants, Tom Stidham, Charlie Borck and Bob Synder, the day after the Bear game here September 25. At that time it was announced he would remain as an advisory coach and devote the bulk of his efforts toward rebuilding the Packers, who in the last two seasons have slipped out of the first division for the first time in their history.
PACKERS LEAVE ON 10 DAY TRIP
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - Team morale was at a new high Friday as Green Bay's 29-man Packer squad entrained on a 10-day road trip that opens in Washington Sunday and close the season in Detroit a week later. Veteran players attributed the sudden upsurge to Wednesday night's directors meeting at which the board freed the organization of all internal front office strife by restoring Curly Lambeau to his former position as No. 1 man in Packer affairs and renewing his contract as head coach and general manager. "Now we've got our feet on the ground again," they said. "Now we know where we're going. It's like the day before the first Bear game." Players looked hopefully to finishing their preparations for the Redskin game on firm ground in Washington Sunday. Hard and icy going here this week has hampered the club's timing, especially on offense. The squad was reduced to 29 Friday when waivers were asked on Urban Odson, veteran tackle, and Jack Kirby, rookie scatback from Southern California, who joined the club in midseason
COLTS REJECT REDSKIN 'TIP'
DEC 2 (Washington) - The Baltimore Colts today looked over a Washington Redskin suggestion that they switch to the NFL and said: Not interested. The Colts are in the All-America conference, and President Walter Driskill said they plan to stay there, at least for the time being. "We have never made any effort whatsoever to get in to the National league, and do not propose to do so at this time," he said. The suggestion that they do so was voiced last night by Richard McCann, general manger of the Redskins. McCann said Redskin president George Preston Marshall planned to broach the subject at a meeting with Driskill Saturday. There was no confirmation of such a meeting from Colt officials. Marshall has been one of the most vigorous opponents of any truce between the two professional football leagues. One of his reasons has reportedly been an objection to competition from the Baltimore team just 40 miles away. McCann said that if the Colts were to join the National league they "would have to pay for the privilege of sharing Washington's territorial rights, since our radio and television arrangements would be affected. But we would make no unreasonable demands."
CHOLES RECEIVES AS NO. 1 PACKER FAN; RECEIVES SCROLL, FOOTBALL
DEC 2 (Green Bay) - As a shoe shine boy several years ago, Jimmy Choles ranked as the No. 1 Packer "expert" in Green Bay. Today, he rules at the No. 1 Packer fan. He was accorded that honor at the Quarterback club's 10th meeting at Vocational school Thursday night. Jimmy was a walking statistical bureau on the Packers - and still is. He knows the yardage of every Packer ground gainer, pass receiver and passer - down to the last half yard. Choles, however, has a weakness. The factory worker, who contributed $100 to the Packer Backers' recent $50,000 drive, wanted his Packer news hot off the griddle. The likeable little guy never spread it around - just wanted to be in on the know. Well, as Drive Chairman Jerry Atkinson pointed out last night, "Jimmy got a hold of a Western Union messenger boy and worked out a 'deal' regarding messages addressed to the Packer office. Seems that Jimmy would have the news before the Packer office, but he never violated any secrets." A $50-a-week worker, Choles was officially recognized as the No. 1 Packer fan - anywhere - for giving $100, in cash, toward the recent Packer drive. Unaware of the proceedings, Choles was called to the stage last night and presented with a scroll naming him as the No. 1 fan. Atkinson, in making the presentation, said that "Jimmy exemplifies the real true Packer spirit." Packer Coach Curly Lambeau said, "He's the No. 1 Packer fan in my book." Choles also was presented an autographed football by Atkinson on behalf of the Packer players who could not be present because of a squad meeting. Speaking briefly on the $50,000 campaign, Atkinson pointed out that "the drive has been a success and the checks are still coming in." Chief Quarterback Jug Earp announced that the club will have only two more meetings - next Thursday and Dec. 15. Next week, pictures of the Packer-Washington game will be shown and a review of former Packer-Bear games will be shown at the Dec. 15 session because no pictures will be taken of the final in Detroit. Lambeau narrated the Packer-Cardinal game pictures and answered questions taken from the question-and-answer box and read by Joe Laws. During the film, Lambeau pointed out the "terrific" game Forte played Sunday. Forte was on the bench for only two plays in the entire game, playing about 58 minutes. He must have been in on 15 clean tackles and was instrumental in giving the passers almost perfect protection as he maneuvered back and forth in front of Jug Girard and Stan Heath. Besides, he intercepted a pass in front of a Cardinal receiver in the end zone to save a touchdown. The film also showed neat catches by right ends Steve Pritko and Bill Kelley. Kelley, who earlier in the season asked for duty at left end "so's I can play more", made two of his three catches while playing left end. Pritko, normally a defensive end, caught two TD passes from Girard. Lambeau's statement before answering questions were similar to those revealed today in another Packer story on this page. One fan asked Lambeau, "do you have any assurance that the three draft choices (Tonnemaker, Weiner and McKissick) will join the Packers?" The coach pointed out that "we have their word that they will not sign with anyone else until they have a final word with us." He said that all three of them plan to play professional football. Another fan wanted to know what revenue the Packers receive from television. Lambeau stated that the club receives $10,000 from the Milwaukee TV sponsor for televising four games there and $9,000 from the National league as the Packers' share of games televised away from home. Most of the questions last night concerned the Packer and Lambeau's status and were answered, more or less, by the board of directors' action Wednesday night in renewing Lambeau's contract for two years. Not coming in the form of a question, a fan suggested that the club propose to the city council a plan to change the name of City stadium to Lambeau stadium. The club responded with a generous hand clap.
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(CHICAGO) - Disgusted with their own generosity, the Packers got mad here on Sunday afternoon and performed the following very remarkable deeds: (1) Scored 21 points in 10 minutes and (2) battled the high-point Chicago Cardinals to a standstill for the next 30 minutes. The final score was: Cardinals 41, Packers 21. To put it bluntly, the Packers looked as if they had no business on the field in the first 20 minutes as the Cardinals ripped off 34 points with an unbearable ease in the short space of 20 minutes and five seconds. Typewriter jockeys in the pressbox were inquiring about the date, etc. of that infamous 73-0 game (Bears over Washington in 1940 just in case the Packers melted further. From the Green Bay standpoint, everything pointed to a catastrophe - one of those "worst" things in history. Look here: The Cardinals scored twice on Jim Hardy passes, once on a 71-yard punt return by John
PACKERS ONLY FOOTBALL TEAM ANYWHERE WITHOUT HEAD PILOT
NOV 29 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers not only are the sports wonder of the world, they are the No. 1 oddity. Do you realize, kind friends, that the Packers are the only football team anywhere without a head coach. Pardon please if we sound a bit cynical today but the confusion prevailing among Packer players and coaches concerning the so-called Packer unpleasantries is enough to warp the outlook of any observer. We hear the comments from the players and coaches, themselves, and from the buy on the street, who, nine times out of ten, doesn't know what he is talking about or he's exaggerated something he heard. After listening to a lot of talk off the street and matching it with the honest-to-good comments of the players, we have come to this conclusion: That the basic trouble in the Packer ranks including the front office, started last Sept. 30 when Curly Lambeau announced to the sports public that he had placed Assistant Bob Snyder, Tom Stidham and Charley Brock in charge of the club's field operations. The announcement continued, "he will confine his coaching to acting in an advisory capacity." Technically and for all intents and purposes, the Bays were left without a head coach. Can you imagine an Army carrying on successful warfare without a general or a business operating without a boss - a last word. Football is a complicated game. One man must give the orders. One man must take the top praise or the top blame. But the Packers were left to flounder. Why? Because Lambeau decided to step down. Curly had good reason - one of health - for making his move. Football coaching is the toughest racket in the world - bar none. How a man of his temperament stood it for 30 years is beyond our imagination. The mistake, in out opinion, was made when Lambeau did not appoint one of the three assistants to take charge. Two days after Lambeau stepped down, the team took a shellacking from the Los Angeles Rams, 48 to 7. The confusion had started to set in as Lambeau watched from the press box. As the Rams continued to win, it developed that the Packers just plain had more than they could handle that day. Stidham, Brock and Snyder - believe it or not - continued to work in harmony. That harmony is a credit to their wonderful senses of humor. Certainly they had differences of opinion but they'd settle it by taking a verbal vote. But the coaching trio could see the writing on the wall. Each of the three coaches told this writer at one time or another in the last two months that "one of us should be appointed to give the orders." They have no axes to grind; they aren't after Lambeau's scalp; they are certain that a tri-coaching (or quad-coaching) setup simply not work. It's nothing more than common sense. More than 10 of the players told us at various times that "we've got to have a head coach; we don't know where the h--- we're at half the time." We're sure this statement wasn't aimed at one or more of the coaches; it was aimed directly at the stupid idea that three assistants and an advisory coach who rarely invades the practice field can produce a halfway winning football team. All sorts of sins cropped up as the team kept losing games. One or two players would criticize this coach; another two or three that coach. Strategy, defense, offense, blocking, tackling; everything seemed to crumble in confusion. There was the natural tendency among the three coaches to blame one coach or the other. It became worse during the heat of battle when one voice is needed more than at any time. Against the Cardinals Sunday, there were several occasions when two or three different plays were sent into the game at one time. The situation has been out of hand since last Sept. 30 even though the three aides did their level best to keep it straight. Meanwhile, the players formed their opinions and took sides. Certainly, you can't blame the players for their reaction. Put yourself in their boots and see how you'd react to three or four bosses. Now put yourself in the bosses' boots and try and find your way out of the dark.
PACKERS INVADE WASHINGTON; VAN BUREN LEADS CANADEO
NOV 29 (Green Bay) - Considering everything, Tony Canadeo's ground gaining yardage is spectacular. The tireless Packer left halfback dropped into second place in the NFL rushing chase Sunday for the first time in seven productive weeks. The new leader is Steve Van Buren, the Philadelphia Eagles' great halfback. He now has 997 yards in 225 attempts while Canadeo is 44 yards behind with 953 yards in 176 attempts. Canadeo still has the best average - 5.3 yards per try against Van Buren's 4.4. Tony's yardage antics are nothing short of spectacular because he is playing - by comparison with the Eastern division championship Eagles - with a last place team. The powerful Philadelphia line has been opening huge holes for Steve while Canadeo more often has had to make his own holes and then slug away. In addition, Van Buren has had the assistance of his team's passing skill. The Eagles' air game many times loosens enemy defenses, forcing many an enemy back on his heels. By comparison, the Packers have had the second lowest air game in the circuit....CARRIED 49 MORE TIMES: And in comparing their respective yardage totals, the fact that Van Buren has carried the ball 49 more times than has the Bays' fiery yardsmith, yet shows only a 44-yard bulge in the statistics, should not pass unnoticed. It is almost certain, however, that no matter whether Tony or Steve wins the ground title, both will break the NFL record of 1,008 yards set by the Philadelphia flyer in 1947. Each has two games left to accomplish the feat, with the indomitable Canadeo due to run against the Washington Redskins in the nation's capital next Sunday and against the Detroit Lions in the Packers' finale at the Motor City the following weekend and Van Buren scheduled to face the New York Giants in both of his last two appearances. In addition to Tony, the Packers today showed three representatives, one of them a new face, among the leaders in the punting, punt return and kickoff return departments. Jug Girard, third a week ago, slipped to sixth among the punters with an average of 39.2 yards for 51 kicks. Ralph Earhart holds 11th place among the punt returns and Jack Kirby, acquired from the Redskins after the year started, moved into eighth place in the kickoff return division...The Packers today began preparations for their visit to Washington this weekend where they will be confronted with the problem of defending against the accurate throws of the ageless Sammy Baugh and his youthful understudy, Harry Gilmer. Weakened in this department by injuries to Irv Comp and Jack Jacobs, the Bays were expected to devote considerable time to pass defense this week. They will, of course, not neglect their own air game, which clicked for two of the three touchdowns they scored against the Cardinals last Sunday.
DARLING BOUND OVER FOR TRIAL
NOV 29 (Green Bay) - Bernard (Boob) Darling was bound over for trial in municipal court this morning on one count of first degree manslaughter and two of negligent homicide. The former Packer and Big Ten official is charged with the hit-and-run death of Shirley Mae Trout, 15, Allouez, near her home on Halloween night. The bind-over followed a preliminary hearing which lasted all day Monday. When the state rested this morning, Cletus Chadek, defense counsel, moved that the charges be dismissed, on the ground that no crime had been committed, and there was no cause to believe that the defendant had committed one. District Attorney Robert Parins asked that the defendant be held, contending there was sufficient evidence for such action…CONTINUED TO DEC. 16: Judge Donald W. Gleason agreed, and continued the case to Dec. 16 for the filing of information. A trial date probably will be set at that time. Bond was continued at $3,500. The court commented that testimony at the hearing indicated five possible offenses which might have been committed: driving while under the influence of liquor, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving at nights without lights, and leaving the scene of an accident. Any one of these would sustain a charge of first degree manslaughter, the court declared. This crime is defined as a death resulting from commission of an offense less than a felony. The court also found sufficient evidence for a bind-over on the negligent homicide counts, one based on a charge of driving while under the influence of liquor, and the other on a charge of driving in a reckless and negligent manner. Chadek had asked permission to submit a brief before the bind-over, and cited two Supreme Court decisions which he said bore on the case. Parins mentioned two others. Judge Gleason commented that he was familiar with three of the four, and was prepared to rule without briefs...11 WITNESSES TESTIFY: In all, 11 witnesses testified at the day-long inquest. Darling did not take the stand nor did the defense introduce any other testimony. Monday afternoon’s session was characterized principally by assertions of two witnesses that Darling appeared to have been under the influence of liquor on the night of the accident, and clashes between County Traffic Officer Jules Coppens, who investigated, and Cletus Chadek, defense counsel…COPPENS IS QUESTIONED: The two who stated that Darling appeared to be under the influence of liquor were Ed Flynn, bartender at the Union hotel, De Pere, and Floyd Rhodes, Route 6, who was in the Old Dutch tavern when Darling stopped there before the accident. Flynn qualified his answer by stating that “any man is under the influence of liquor, if he’s only had one drink,” but, in reply to Parins’ direct demand for his opinion whether Darling was under the influence of liquor, he replied, “Yes.” He said that earlier in the evening he had personally served Darling one drink, and had seen him served an additional number which he estimated at five. The drinks were bourbon and water, Flynn said. Rhodes said that while Darling talked rationally at the Old Dutch tavern his demeanor led Rhodes to believe him under the influence of liquor. Clashes between Coppens and Chadek are frequent. Coppen quoted Darling as saying at a conference in the district attorney’s office: “There isn’t any doubt it was my car that hit the girl.” Coppens had not made this statement at the coroner’s inquest, and Chadek demanded why not. “I wasn’t asked,” Coppens replied. He explained that he assumed questions put to him at the inquest referred only to conversations between Darling and himself…SAYS HE DESTROYED NOTES: Coppens said he had taken notes at the conference in Parins’ office, but refused to produce them. He said he had destroyed part of his original notes. He also mentioned a Nash hubcap picked up at the scene of the accident, but said a search at the county jail had failed to produce it. Chadek asked that this fact be noted in the record. Darling’s station wagon is a Ford. Chadek also criticized Coppens for his failure at the coroner’s inquest to mention what he said were bloodstains on the side of the station wagon. According to Coppens, Darling told Parins that, after leaving the Old Dutch tavern, he had gone out to his hunting shack on the bay shore to see that a fire was going in preparation for
hunting next day; that on the way back he had struck something, tried to find it without success, and had gone home. There, Coppens quoted him as saying, he tried unsuccessfully to induce Mrs. Darling to join him in a search; took “three stiff drinks” and went to De Pere to enlist the aid of friends at the Union hotel in finding out what he had hit. The three drinks, Coppens quoted him as saying, were the only alcohol he had taken that night, although he had drunk some orange. Chadek also attacked the testimony of Coroner Alvin J.
CURLY LAMBEAU'S CONTRACT RENEWED - BOARD AUTHORIZES ISSUANCE OF $200,000 IN PACKER STOCK
DEC 1 (Green Bay) - Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau, who founded the Green Bay Packers back in 1919, will lead our town's professional football forces another two years. Lambeau's contract as general manager and head coach - the center-point of rumblings for many weeks - was renewed at a four-hour meeting of the board of directors of Green Bay Packers, Inc., at the courthouse last night. The decision stands as a vote of confidence to the 31-year football veteran who has been under fire by various factions since the club started losing games in 1948 and worsened this season when the financial condition of the corporation grew precarious. In another action aimed at bolstering the financial condition, the board of directors recommended to the stockholders authorization of the issuance of $200,000 additional shares of stock in the corporation at $10 per share. The board of directors added the following statement: "Purpose of this issuance of stock is not only to increase the working capital of the corporation but also to permit broadening of the base of ownership in the Packer football team - to be more truly representative of the people interested in the Packers in this year of 1949 as contrasted with the smaller group originally incorporated back in 1934. This will enable everyone in Packerland, who desires, to become an owner in the Packer team," the directors pointed out, adding that "this move likewise would permit the more active participation of more interested people in the affairs of the Packer corporation." Despite early reports of a "hot session", directors said that the meeting was conducted in a "most businesslike fashion" -
defense. Bob Summerhays pulled a charley horse against the Cards but has it worked out. The Packers had an early experience with the Redskins this season, losing a 35-24 non-league battle in Milwaukee Sept. 18. The Bays’ 24-point total, however, had turned out to be the highest thus far for the Bays. The next best was 21 points in the 41-21 loss to the Cards last Sunday. On the basis of that first game, the Packers may see quite a little of Harry Gilmer, Baugh’s understudy at quarterback. In that September game, Gilmer did as much damage with his running as he did with his pitching.
BAYS, SKINS GAME LABELED 'TEST' BATTLE
DEC 3 (Washington) - Two of the NFL's most kicked around teams clash here Sunday when the Green Bay Packers meet the Washington Redskins and, strangely enough, the game is important to both clubs. For the Packers, who will have the veteran Curly Lambeau once again directing things from the coaching sidelines after five weeks of retirement to the front office in favor of his assistants, Charley Brock, Bob Snyder and Tom Stidham, the contest represents an opportunity to begin their comeback. For the Redskins, operating under new coach Herman Ball, who has yet to win a victory in three starts since taking over from former coach Vice-Admiral John E. (Billick) Whelchel in mid-season, the clash offers another opportunity to continue his experiments with an eye to 1950. One such test involves using three passers - Sammy Baugh, newcomer Harry Gilmer and third stringer Tommy Mont - all in the same backfield. While he may experiment for the future, Lambeau has little choice other than to rest most of his offensive hopes on the swift ball carrying of Tony Canadeo. The veteran, gray-haired and balding 30-yard oldster is having the season of his life and is only 44 yards behind the Eagles' Steve Van Buren's league leading ball carrying efforts of 997 yards.
BAYS IN HIGH SPIRITS FOR WASHINGTON GAME
DEC 3 (Washington) - The Green Bay Packers arrived here Saturday morning in high spirits fore their game with the Washington Redskins Sunday - surprisingly high for a team which has been able to win only two games all season. "At least we know where we stand now," one of them said in reference to the tempest which shook the front office during the week and which was finally calmed when Curly Lambeau received a new two year contract. "The way things were going around Green Bay, the ball club couldn't help but be affected."
PACKERS PREXY RECEIVES NO PAY: FISCHER
DEC 3 (Green Bay) - Emil R. Fischer, president of Green Bay Packers, Inc., receives no salary from the Packer corporation. The Packer chief made this known today in a statement in answer to a question submitted at the meeting of the Green Bay Quarterback club Thursday night. E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, Packer general manager and head coach, answered the question at the time. Fischer’s statement follows: “Commenting on a question at the Green Bay Quarterback club held last (Thursday) evening as to what salary the president of the Green Bay Packers received, and which was answered very lucidly by Mr. Lambeau, I wish to state that I have never received one cent of compensation; that I have always personally paid my traveling and hotel expenses, and also personally paid for any entertainment given me in connection with the Packers. In addition to this, I have always purchased tickets to all games in Green Bay and any outside games for myself, my family and friends. In justice to the executive committee, I also wish to state that they receive no compensation, pay their own expenses and also purchase their own tickets to all games. I did not realize that the public had any other idea in their mind and was greatly surprised at the question submitted at the Quarterback meeting. We are all working for the glory of Good Old Green Bay.”
COLTS POLITELY REJECT SKINS' OLIVE BRANCH, KESSING ORDERS
DEC 3 (Washington) - The Baltimore Colts, acting on orders from the high brass, Saturday politely but firmly rejected the surprising olive branch thrust toward them by the Washington Redskins. George Preston Marshall, Redskins' owner, caught everyone unawares when he asked the Colts to "jump" from the All-American conference into the NFL with his team. The gesture brought immediate orders from AAC Commissioner O.O. (Scrappy) Kessing to Walter Driskill, president and coach of the Colts: "I am directing you not to discuss this matter with any National league representative." Driskill quickly obeyed Kessing: "He's my boss. He says not to go to see Marshall, so I won't go to see him." A meeting was to be held Saturday. Marshall said he extended the invitation because "I am sick and tired of being accused of blocking Baltimore from becoming a member of the National league. I've been trying to get them in since 1939 and I tried again last year. These stories portraying me as the villain who has wrecked Baltimore football are falsehoods." Driskill said his only intention in planning to see Marshall Saturday was to work for "peace" between the two leagues, but added he now "heartily concurs" with Kessing that peacemaking should be left to the league heads. Marshall earlier said he himself would make the motion at the National league meeting to admit Baltimore. "And I've got Tim Mara of the Giants to second it." Marshall Saturday also told reporters that despite rumors that pro football teams were losing money hand over checkbook, the following clubs would wind up in the black: Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and his own Redskins.
29-MAN PACKER SQUAD SEEKS 3RD VICTORY OVER REDSKINS SUNDAY
DEC 3 (Washington) - The smallest Green Bay Packer squad in years – 29 strong – battles the Washington Redskins in a NFL contest in Griffith stadium here Sunday afternoon. Both teams will be playing their 11th loop contest and the Redskins are slight favorites on the basis of their 3-6-1 record against the Packers’ 2-8. A crowd of approximately 25,000 is expected to watch a duel between Sammy Baugh, the Redskins’ immortal passer, and Tony Canadeo, the Packers’ spectacular runner. Kickoff is set for 1 o’clock, Green Bay time. The Packers are high for Sunday’s game – higher than they’ve been at any time since the opener with the Bears last Sept. 25. The players figure the air has been cleared back home what with the new harmony in the Packer organization. The Packers have only one worry -–their timing, and it may handicap Canadeo in his chase for a new NFL ground gaining record. The Packers timing was off this week because of drilling on the frozen City stadium turf. The players spent most of the week slipping around and in a drill Thursday afternoon pass receivers were unable to cut or break sharp...EXPECT NORMAL CONDITIONS: Barring a sudden freeze tonight, the Packers will have normal field conditions Sunday. The squad worked out this morning and three-quarters of the drill was spent in running through plays. Canadeo, who's been averaging 95.3 yards in his first 10 games, needs 56 yards to break the National league ground gaining record of 1,009 yards established by Steve Van Buren in 1947. Van Buren needs but 12 yards against the Giants Sunday to snap his own mark. Thus far, Canadeo has gained 953 yards in 176 attempts for a lofty 5.4 average per trip. Van Buren has piled up 997 yards in 225 tries for an average of 4.4. The Packer squad was reduced to 29 players with the release of veteran tackle Urban Odson and rookie halfback Jack Kirby Thursday afternoon. With Kirby out, Jug Girard will help Ralph Earhart back up Canadeo – just in case Tony needs any help. The squad now has five tackles – Dick Wildung, Lew Ferry and Glen Johnson at left and Paul Lipscomb and Ed Bell at right. With the exception of Wildung, the team is in excellent physical condition. Wildung sprained his ankle in the Cardinal game and is expected to see limited action against the Skins. Coach Curly Lambeau figures Johnson and Ferry did a good job playing after Wildung was hurt last Sunday…LOST TO REDSKINS, 35-24: Jack Jacobs is pretty well over his knee troubles, giving the team added strength on
