Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-03
WRESTLING.
DEADLY
 STRANCLE.
Barred Now In all Good ha.ches-Cotch Defeated Charley Wittmer-Parr Had It On Pons.

The dly Strangle hold has come into notice again. This time the police have given publicity to the grasp. The authorities of Baltimore are the cen sors and they have declared that the hold will not be allowed under any cir cumstances in that city. A few days ago Charles J. Weiss of Baltimore, a we'll known wra ling promoter and manager of athletes, went before the police board of Baltimore in regard to the securing of permit to hold. a wrestling match between Hako, a Jap anese wrestler, and his protege under jiu-jitsu rules. The strangle is sup. posed to be the stock in trade of the successful jiu-jitsu expert, and 1t was supposed that there would be no Ob- jection to this lock. In fact all holds dangerous and otherwise were em- bodied In the articles of agreement as being part of the contract. Weiss was informed that the hold would have to be cut out, as thG police would not permit 1t, and the articles will have to be changed.
 The strangle has been allowed in many matches ill New York, and thus far there has not been any serious ac- c,dent. Referees who understand their business have wisely barred the hold. su of late contests an the mat have as yet been devoid of any brutal features. The Jiu-jitsu man regards the strangle. or the Adams apple lock, as his best trick, so in the future with this hold cut out the Jap will b" somewhat handi. capped. Still 1t is a good thing and the rule should be strictly enforced. The back hammer lock and leg Nelsons are bad enough in theif way. Frank Gotch, the worlds heavyweight catch as-catch-can champion, thinks that good, clever wrestler can beat his man without trying to disable him with dangerous holds. In his match with Jim Parr the other night Gotch ad- hered to the rules In every way and had no trouble in winning. He simply exercised skill and strength and won
 "Mugging" and jarring the ribs come under the caption of punishment on the mat and grapplers indulge in this to considerable extent. Such tricks add to the interest or bout and car be avoided by counters. But 1t is diff ficult to get away from strangle at all times.
 George Bothner, who was referee in the recent Gotch-Parr contest, has an exalted opinion of Gotch's prowess. Bothner regards Gotch as a wonder. and gives reasons. -, yK,rr pooT
 %"In, the first place, Gotch is rery quick for a big man," said Bothner "He got around the ring in way that made by eyes blink. He never missed a chance for hold and only once al lowed his man to get on top. When Parr became the aggressor he did not hold his position more than couple of minutes all told. Big men are usu ally slow and slipshod in their meth- ods. After little while they blow up and are satisfied to take things easy. Gotch Is always on the alert ready to get at his man if he can. This is the kind of wrestling that wins. If you remember, before Parr was aware, at the beginning of the bout, Gotch was at him like a cat. Now, how many wrestlers have you seen do the same thing? They usually walt until they are face to face with their rival in the center of the ring before they even make an attempt to get hold. What Gotch did was fair and square. As to strength, think that Gotch is one of the strongest heavyweights flu the barring, of course, the mighty Hackenschmidt. And, by the way. If Gotch and the Russian ever meet, Mad ison Square Garden will not be large enough to hold the crowd that will at- tend the affair. doubt whether Hackenschmidt will agree to a straight catch-as-catch-can bout. although he k no slouch at either style.''