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Show fjimiiimiimim iiimimmmmiu j Speaking j By ROBERT McSHANE 3 Htltond by Weitem Newipoper Union lltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll THE most powerful one-man sports tribunal In the history of American athletics ie Elmer Lay-den, Lay-den, recently inaugurated commissioner-president of the National Football league. Layden has dictatorial powers from which there is no appeal. So sweeping and all-inclusive are the clauses in the new league constitution constitu-tion that there is nothing, at least technically, that he cannot do. Never In the annals of sportdom has one person been given the authority which was vested in Layden when he signed his five-year contract which carries a salary of $20,000 a year. Every person connected with the National Football league owners, coaches, players, trainers, stockholders, stock-holders, officials and employees-comes employees-comes under his jurisdiction. There Is no appeal from his decisions and f l! , i t 'y A L i I i , (' C , , 1 . ' I ' J, ' ELMER LAYDEN the only way the owners can change his mind is by amending their constitution. con-stitution. The constitution can be amended only at a regular league meeting or at a special session. Only Layden can call a special meeting, and the amendment can be made only by unanimous consent of the owners. In but one instance has the league an opportunity to question a decision that Commissioner Layden might make. The league's executive committee com-mittee Is granted the right to audit bis books. However, it should be borne in mind that Elmer is also chairman of this committee. Kenesaw Mountain Landis, commissioner com-missioner of baseball, usually is considered con-sidered a dictator. But his powers more or less are limited to administering admin-istering baseball laws. Layden has the authority to administer laws; also he can make them. Final Authority Under the new constitution, Layden Lay-den has the right to discipline any person connected with the league. If, In his opinion, the conduct of any person or club Is detrimental to the game, be may levy a fine up to $25,000. In the event any club refuses re-fuses to pay the assessment, he can step In and take over the club. He is the final authority in all disputes dis-putes arising between player and coach. That's hardly the beginning of his authority. The annual championship playoff will be under his complete control. He can specify the prices to be charged and when and where the game is to be played. Every contract for the broadcast of league games will include a clause giving him complete charge over all radio announcers who work the games. Enlarged Domain It is very probable that at leasi two minor leagues, the Dixie and the American association, and possibi more, will act to grant Layden similar simi-lar authority over their destinies He has the authority to enter intc working agreements with these leagues, or any other which nice: his requirements, on any basis which does not entail financial obligations obli-gations to the National league. His budget has no stipulated limit The treasurer, Dennis J. Shea oi Brooklyn, elected to a three-yea. term, cannot pay a bill without Lay den's approval. In giving the genial former Notr. Dame coach supreme power ov the league, team owners show amazingly good fo'JjL tureofthe game now is m the hand, of a ma who has shown himself full; capable and eminently qualified. One of the greatest modern foot ball strategists, 37-yearld Elme Layden is much more than a foot tall coach. He is a born leader o men. He will not abuse the dicta torial powers given him. That professional football will b an honest game is practica ly . cer tainty. Layden is an honest man. Sport Shorts m Sixteen former Detroit Tiger reg mars are now playing elsewhere u Smaors. Th'e St Louis Brown have five of them. M.qtte univ.r,it, 2 oi l work as well. |