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Justice Department Did Not Approve NCAA Grid TV Ban PHILADELPHIA, Pa., June 29 UP.— Contrary to reports, the Department of Justice has given no approval, formal or informal, to the National Collegiate Athletic Association plan to control the televising of football games, the University of Pennsylvania was informed today. The information came in a letter from U. S. Assistant Attorney-General H. G. Morison after Penn asked him whether there had been federal approval of the NCAA program. . Penn has announced it will not abide by the ban because it has been advised that the program violates the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Morison also sent along a copy of a letter he mailed to Joseph L. Rauh, Jr., Washington, D. C, counsel for the NCAA. In it, Morison pointed out that the anti-trust division "has been disturbed by numerous statements in the press, made by sports writers and editors, to the effect" the Department of Justice had approved the plan. Morison wrote Rauh that the NCAA did not submit its TV plan to the Department of Justice, but was requested to do so by the anti-trust division because of "antitrust implications" of the program. "The department did not approve the plan and instituted a full investigation, which is now under way," the letter quoted Morison. "In view of the foregoing," the letter to Rauh continued, "I am sure that your client. . . . will wish to clear up the erroneous statements in the press as to departmental approval of the plan by making an appropriate public statement at the earliest possible moment."
