The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-18
MISSED.
HIS L|FE'S CALLING
Battling Nelson Declares He
Would Have Made Great
Featherweight.
CANNON LIKES COMPLIMENT
Fighter Defends Sport OF Boxing
Before House Com
mittee.
CANNON LIKES COMPLIMENT

Washington, d. c., May 11.-"Bat.
tling" Nelson called on Speaker Can
non at the Capitol to-day, and after
carefully looking over the latter's
spare frame. from respectful distances,
averred that the Speaker would have
made great featherweisrt.'
"If you had begun boxing few
years ago you would have made bet
ter boxer than a Speaker, and You are
certainly some Speaker said Nelson.
Now that's what call a pretty
nice compliment" countcrcd the
Speaker.
The Speaker shook both Nelson's
hands. felt his biceps and shoulders
and slapped him on the back. The en-
animation was freely returned by Nell
son, who carefully ran his hands over
the somewhat gaunt frame of Speaker
Cannon.
Say" said Nelson. as he ran his fin-
gers UP and down the Speakers arms.
and looked him over from head to foot.
Il heard you were big man. bur
you're only little fellow"
Uncle Joe grinned, and put up his
hands in approved pugilistic style.
Nelson accepted the mock challenge
and put up his practiced hands as II
in defense. Speaker Cannon made
few swife passes at the "Battler,' who
backed away, laughing.
"'Phila Jack O'Brien taught me
those confided Mr.. Cannon.
! After the informalities of the unique
Introduction We're over, the Speaker
| stepped into his private Office and
emerged with box of cigars which
| he opened and proffered to Nelson.
NO thanks" said Nelson. 81 never
smoked a cigar or took a drink OF
LIQUOR In my life
Il wish could say that" frankly
acknowledged the Speaker.
Opp0scs Smith pill.
Nelson was ut the Capitol to appear
before committee in opposition to q
bill introduced by REPRESENTATIVE
Smith, of Iowa. prohibiting the exhi-
bition of moving pictures of prize
fights, and transmisslons of descrip-
tions OF prize fiShts, by wire
"This boxing game Is not Immoral"
Nelson told the committed That's a
,lot moro than can be said for most os
these moving picture shows around the
country. Don't let ANYBODY fool YOU
about this lighting hltsincss
why, Nevada is the only State In tho
Union where You can pull of real
fight. Every where else, they are box.
ing contests, and boxing Is the manifest
of sports. There might be dozen
fatalities in the history of the prize
ring, which is about the number thF2
have every year In football.''
The committee displayed keen inter-
est in Nelson The pugilist halls from
i Hegewich, Illinois,
+, IF you are going after boxing con
I tests. and the pictures taken OF them
I, why not make good, clean sweeo
| and do away With racing news, stock
/, tickers, and accounts OF football
| games?" continued Nelson,
What ended the Nelson Wolgaa
/ i,fight?" asked Representative Wanser
! of Pennsylvania
"The referee thought>I was not n
! Very good shape, and STOPPED IT. 70.
| piled the "Battler," ,.s,
"Nere you interested In that flsht?'
inquired Representative Sims, OF Ten
nessee, who had Just entered the room
and had not been following the testi.
mony.
II certainly was, for about FORT
rounds" replied Nelson, with brnat
grin, and this caused general laugh
rye never seen a boxing contest
Continued on Third Page)