The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-29
BJXING SENTIMENT
GROWS IN GOTHAM
New Workers Want Gam
Revived.
PROMINENT ADVOCATES
President Roosevelt and MI. Jerome
Favor the Sport Under Proper
Regulations.
PROMINENT ADVOCATES

NEW YORK, Dec 29.-The fact that
boxing is permitted in various parts of
the country and that the sport is ep-
joying an unusual boom has served
increase the local sentiment favoring a
bill at Albany when the Legislat ure
conveneS that will legaliZe glove con-
tests under rigid rules.
That boxing is extremely popular with
New Workers can be shown by the
crowds that invariably gather about
the tickerS when reports of various con-
tests of Importance are sent over the
tape. When Nelson and Britt met the
other night in California there was
more local interest in the affair thar
had been shown for months At every
resort where the news was received by
wire there was an enthusiastic gather
ing, eager for the result. and when the
end came there was enough discussion
to last for days.
Has Many Supporters.
Advocates of a resumption of boxing
in this State include some of the best
known citizens. In the days of the
Horton law they were liberal in thei
patronage. and paid exorbitant prices
Tor seats, too. They are believers in
the manly art, and set up the argu-
ment that boxing by perfectly traine
men is practically harmless With al
the glove fights that are taking place
just now. the absence of fatal injuries
Is pointed to by these champions of the
sport as evidence that d law carefully
drawn, would not be out OF order.
PRESIDENT Roosevelt has always been
an ardent supporter of boxing When
he was police commissioner here he s., "
Peter Maher put Joe Choynski to sIeer
ana pronounced the affair one of the
most scientific battles that he had ever
Witnessed Later, when he was gov
ernor OF the State, he opposed boxing as
II was conducted here, chiefly because
OF the many crooked fights, which lllti-
mately killed the game District Attor-
ney jerome has been quoted recently as
saying that he would favor the passa ge
OF new boxing law under certain re-
SIr1ctonS. and has also displayed inter
est In the sport by attending several
private exhibition bouts at a local club
Preparing Bill
Senator James j. Frawley is the man
who will undertake to have bill pass
the Legislature at Albany He has
spent much time in drawing up the
document, with the idea OF safeguard
ing the sport against the old evils. and
ne believes that he will have the sup
port Of some of the senator's who heIpeG
to repeal the old law
IL is understood that the FrawIey bill
VIII contain provisions for a regularly
appointed State boxing commission
which will be composed of from three
TO five members, who will have absolute
power TO grant licenses to Incorporated
boxing clubs. together with the right tC
levy State tax on all gate receipts
The bill viii also provide for contests
limited to fifteen or twenty rounds. with
six or eight-ounce gloves all contest.
annts to be subjected TO a physical ex.
animation before entering the ring. The
number of boxing clubs in cities anc
towns will be determined by the size Ol
the population
1t is thought that not more than 81,
clubs viii be located in Greater New
York, in case the bill passes. in which
event there would be an exhibition eacI
night in the week.