Imperial Valley Press

YOU'RE RIGHT. HANK

We have no hesitancy any day, in recommending to our readers, men and women, the sports column conducted daily in this paper by Henry D. McLemore. otherwise known as Hank McLemore, in our opinion, the outstanding sports writer of the nation, and that statement is made with a sincere acknowledgment of the exceptional capabilities of such men as Damon Runyon, Grantland Rice and other veterans.

Hank's column today is particularly worth reading for it calls attention to an incident that goes contrary to the American spirit of fair play.

McLemore tells the story of "Alabama" Pitts, the star athlete at Sing Sing prison. who has been offered a job playing professional baseball. but is being barred from doing so by the "holier than thou" attitude of the head of minor league baseball. We concur most emphatically in Hank's opinion of the case.

Our whole system of penology is based on the theory that putting men in prison is supposed to reform as well as punish them. In fact reformation is supposed to be the more important point of the two. It is for that reason we have instituted the probation and parole systems. attempted to make our prisons decent and installed various means within prison walls to bring out the best in those confined behind them.

The courage which "Alabama" Pitts shows in trying to get on a professional ball club ought to commend him to anyone connected with the game. He is willing to place himself on exhibition before thousands of persons daily. and any American who has ever witnessed professional baseball. knows the harsh words which visiting players get from the home town fans. With such a background as "Alabama" has it takes plenty of back- bone to be willing to expose himself to the gibes of the fans in order to get a chance to make good. Also his own team- mates have to be "sold" on him as well as the players on rival teams.

Mr. W. C. Bramham. head of minor league ball, thinks "the public would re- sent the signing of this player in organ- ized baseball." All right. then this is a fine place to apply Commodore Vander- bilt's famous phrase, "the public be damned." However, we don't share Mr. Bramham's belief. A few sanctimonious persons like himself might resent it, but we have faith in the justice and fairness of the majority of the people. If Pitts is willing to accept the burden of the role he seeks he should be given the chance to do so.

Bramham has turned down "Alabama." but there is a great little man fighting for him at Albany. New York. the home town of the team wishing to sign the Sing Sing star. He is a man n who has brought more glory to baseball and has done more for it than any 10 Bramhams. He is none other than that ornery. cantankerous. fighting, square-shooting sec- ond baseman of the old Chicago Cubs. John Evers. and if Johnny is willing to take a chance on "Alabama" Pitts. the rest of baseball should be.