The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-07-14
ROOSEVELT ON
PRIZE FIGHTING
Believes in Clean, Manly Box.
ing But Is Opposed to the
Present Game

New York, July 14.-In a signed
editorial in the Outlook for July Col.
Roosevelt has the following to say
ON the merits and abuses of prize
fighting:
II have always been fond of box
ing, and have always believed in 1t
as vigorous, manly pastime, one of
those pastimes which have a distinct
moral and physical value, because
they encourage essential virtues as
courage. hardihood, endurance, and
self-control. Until within a few
years, l used to box a good deal my
self, and when l was young several
times took part in contests of public
or SemS-public nature-generally,
am bound to say, with i'll success. 1
think boxing is a sport which should
be encouraged among boys and young
men generally. l have been glad to
help 1t so far as I could in the army
and navy, where, believe, It has
been an excellent thing for the en-
listed men. When l was police COM
missioner, was much struck by a
statement made to me by Jacob Riis
to the effect that the establishment
of boxing clubs in many of the poor
er districts had resulted in good, in
rather unexpected ways; that is, it
had not only given the vigorous
young fellows who otherwise would
join the gangs" legitimate outlet
for their activities, but had also
markedly reduced the number OF af-
trays in which the knife was used.
The spirit produced by the boxing
had told against knife-fighting, and
distinctly discouraged unfair play.
Therefore, from every standpoint,
I believe in the encouragement of
boxing as sport. Moreover, boxing
as profession has good side.
Among the men whose friendship and
regard l have really valued could
name number of professional box
ers. including several ring champions.
The men to whom I refer found
square, decent men, who showed
themselves good citizens when their
good citizenship was tested. l ap-
proved of the movement, which in
this state, at the time that 1 was
police commissioner, resulted in the
enactment of law permitting con-
tests between professional boxers, un-
der conditions which were meant to
safeguard the sport against brutality
and the other evils which have every
where resulted sooner or later in the
suppression Of the prize ring. 1 saw
several of these public boxing con-
tests, in which the intent Of the law
was carried out in good faith.
Nevertheless. even under this law,
abuses crept in. and, finally, one or
two fights occurred where the sur
rounding circumstances were SO
scandalous that when l was governor
was obliged to advocate, and finally
to secure, the repeal Of the law un-
der which the contests took place,
feeling convinced, together with the
great majority Of the citizens of the
state. that under it almost all that
made prize fighting Objectionable and
demoralizing had gradually been re-
vived.
Now this was my experience, the
experience of man who, so far from
being prejudiced against boxing, was
and Is warm advocate of it, and
who, at the outset. had not the slight
est prejudice against professional
boxing-that is, boxing for purses of
money-and who has numbered
among his friends many men who
were professionals and had fought for
money prizes. am sure that what
has hAnnenad in Nav York will han.