The San Francisco call., 1905-01-27
GIVES REBUKE
TO FAKE CLUBS
William Greer Harrison Ap-
pears Before Legislative
Committee at Sacramento
DENOUNCES SUPERVISORS
Says Pugilism Is Degrading
and Wrecking the Lives
of San Francisco Youths
DENOUNCES SUPERVISORS
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 26.-William
Greer Harrison, president of the Olym-
pic Club of San Francisco, tonight
addressed joint meeting OF the Senate
and Assembly committees on public
morals on behalf of Ralston's anti-prize
fight bill. In unsparing terms he paint
ed the picture of the moral degradation
that has followed the progress Of the
game Of pugilism in the metropolis and
he asked the legislators to put a stop
forever to the degrading sport. He also
poured some hot shot into the Board
Of Supervisors of San Francisco.
In San Francisco" he said. there
are men that operate under the guise
that they are directors of amateur ath-
letic associations, but whose sole pur-
pose Is to use their gold to debauch the
young men of the city that they may
make more gold. The Olympic Club Of
San Francisco has been forced to close
it's doors on outside boxers because Of
their illegitimate conduct. Within the
last year we have lost four Of our best
boxers, who have become professionals.
These are: Berger, Finnigan. Murray
and kearns. Murray and Kearns an
nounced openly that they were going
into boxing as professionals, but we
were compelled to take action against
Berger and Finnigan because they
fought professional fights at the in
stance of a fake athletic club. There
is not member Of any of this class Of
clubs that cannot be bought for $40,
and they are rapidly destroying the
love Of legitimate athletics.
i am here to protest against this
disease that is destroying the moral
characters OF SO many young men Of
our city. When we found that we
were educating bruisers, a condition
brought about by this illegitimate out
side influence, we found that it was
time that we gave UP boxing tourna-
ments. 1 dare say that fully rs per
cent Of the professional fights that
have taken place in San Francisco
were frauds upon the public and the
people Of the city. The money these
professionals have made has lured
young men from their homes and from
the athletic home. It is a question
that should interest every father in
the State. Who knows what young
man may fail to attain the highest Of
flee in the land through this most
baneful influence.
Il appeared recently before the Po-
lice Committee Of the Board of Super
visors and requested that they regu-
late these fights. Then went before
the whole board. but in vain. The Su-
pervisors would not take action against
tANSO AhhCko anu CfCiy OAc hlOWS the
reason why. I asked them to place a
license of $1,000 on every fight, profess
sional and so-called amateur, stating
that / would put up $4,000 for every
tournament the Olympic Club gave,
but still they refused and, of course,
they had a reason"
Senator Curtin said that while he
agreed fully with Mr.. Harrison, he was
not in favor Of Ralston's bill as drafted,
as it restricted boxing contests to mem
bers of the American. Athletic Associa-
tion, though he appreciated that these
contests were not held for money max
ing purposes. Senator Anderson also
objected to this provision In the bill,
but said that he would heartily support
a law that would prohibit absolutely
the holding Of any contests to witness
which an admission fee was charged.
1t was agreed that this would have the
erect OF putting stop, not only to pro-
fessional, but to the so-called amateur
contests. When the committee reports
to the Senate such a measure will be
recommended for adoption.