The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-08-04
GOVERNOR DIX
ALLOWS BOXING

For the first time since the days Of
the Horton law. when pugilists Of all
kinds, color and classes furnished en-
tersainment for the fight fans of
Gotham, boxing bouts are listed ag a
legitimate amusement in the empire
state. Governor Dix put the X on
the legal status Of the game when he
atfixed his signature to the FrawIey
Din, which permits sparring contests
o. ten rounds duration. conducted with
eight-ounce gloves before properly liz
censed clubs. Not all the New York
sporting men were in favor OF the
passage Of the new bill A great many
urged that it placed too much power
In the hands of the three members OF
the commission appointed by the gov
ernor, whose duty 1t will be to grant
or refuse permits to the athletic or
CARNATIONS. Every club giving spar
ring entertainments must file a s10.-
600 bond with the state comptroller.
and per cent of the total gross re-
ceipts from ticket sales goes to that
official as tax.
From an outsiders standpoint. how
ever it looks as If New York il I'M
commonly fortunate in possessing such
complacent legislature and chief ex-
ecutive. Many other states would be
only too thankful for a legal gift of
the sort just handed the sport loving
inhabitants OF New York. For a long
while past the gotham fight clubs
have been conducted on the ''member-
ship only plan, and every now and
then eagle eyed sleuths have pene-
trated the guard lines of the organiza-
tions, swore ont warrants for the ar
rest Of the officials on the charge OF
promoting illegal exhibition and made
all sorts OF trouble for them generally.
There will be no more of that kind of
thing under the new regulation. Also
the warfare which has been bitterly
waged between rival clubs will be
memory of the past. The leading or
CARNATIONS have repeatedly cut In on
each others dates, induced fighters to
break contracts with opposing clubs
and INDUCED in knocking tactics Of the
most pronounced order, with the re-
suit that nobody could prophesy with
any degree of accuracy whether or no
battles between bright stars of the
arena would come off as scheduled.
1t is all up to the commissioners
now. They will be in a position to say
just how many shows can be staged
at certain times, to virtually blacklist
any boxer who INDUCES in crooked
work, or place official ban on promo
tiers suspected of palming OF fistic |
gold bricks on the public. 1t seems
as IL absolutely square promoters |
ought to welcome the change. Thel
big bond required from each club |
to schedule boxing bouts
promises to prevent the entry of ire
sponsible small fry into the game and |
keep 1t In the hands OF select few. /
The fly by-night clubs exploited by
needy spectators have been a fruitful /
source Of trouble in every section OF |
the country where boxing flourished |
It is before such minor organizations
that death of ill-trained, mixed ale 4
scrappers and immature youths. have
usually occurred. The more important
association try to steer clear of all
such matches. They play for large
profits by engaging highclass contest
ants, and 1t Is to their interest to make
sure that only pugilists capable ply
sically OF standing the strain Of furious
combat appear on the cards There
NCAS PASAbg VI NhG uA4lOI QTOI1GA6ESI
around New York, doing business in
! desultory way, and it is probably
rom these individuals that most OF
he roaring against the passage OF the
Frawley bin emanated.
Undoubtedly the members OF the
commission will be able to grant spe-
sial favors should the spirit SO move
hem. But as they will be appointed
" the governor 1t is more than likely
hat the chief executive will see to IL
hat the men selected are not charter
of the Dishonorable and
Ancient Order Of the Sons OF Graft.
Also. 1t Is not to be supposed that the
commission members could get very i
ar ahead on the grating business Ii
hey were SO inclined. There will be
90 many jealous eyes watching their
course Of action to make any deviation |
rom the straight and narrow PATH
either desirable or profitable. Ii
With San Francisco and New York !
staging fistic contests under full pro-
ection Of the authorities, the boxing
same promises to boom at a lively
ate this fall. Although patrons nat
irally prefer longer distance, vet d d