Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-17

was one of the best things the commits
sioners have done, and safeguards the
public from being imposed upon with
one-sided matches and insures the proper
classification Of boxers. Heretofore where
conditions of contest did not require
the participants to scale at a certain
figure. the men have given out their
weights when they felt SO inclined, and
then not always with strict regard for
the truth. 1t is now thought likely that
the commission will adopt system OF
transferring referees from one club to the
other, on the plan in vogue among base
ball leagues in handling umpfres, thus
minimizing the chances for collision and
crookedness.
This would be a step forward surely
and might lead to the removal Of the gag
that prevents referees from awarding
decisions at the termination of contests.
The claim has been made by those who
appear to exercise considerable influence
with the authorities that referees de-
cisions mean gambling, and, therefore,
the temptation for croOkedness. Under
the proposed plan of assigning referee
on the night of a contest there would be
practically no chance for a frame-up, at
least SO far as that official was con-
cerned. The adoption of rule clothing
the arbiters with authority to render de-
cisions will meet with popular approval.
Joe Jeanette, the chocolate heavy
weight, Is experiencing the greatest diff
ficulty in securing matches. johnson will
have none of his game; McVey ignores
the country to avoid meeting him in a
twenty-round bout. after having "signed
the papers"
Jeanette occupies peculiar position in
heavyweight pugdOm; recognized as one
Of the best in the game and admittedly
q worthy aspirant for the championship,
his services are not in demand. Match
makers have little use for him. They pro-
test that Joe's reputation invariably caus-
es pronounced cases of "cold feet on the
part OF his prospective adversaries. with
the result that they run OUT on their
agreements and leave the clubs holding
the bag.
For some months past Jeannette's
manager has been making overtures to a
number Of white hopes in and around
New York, but without any great de-
gree Of success. OF the entire crop Of
white heavies Andy Morris was the only
one willing to mlngle with the Hoboken
demon. Morris regrets his hasty action
now. probably. for he lasted only a few
rounds. and that long only because jean
nette was soft-hearted and let him down
easy.
Joe is forced to resort to unusual meth
DDS in the quest. for work, but 'calcu-
lates" he may inveigle a few unsuspect-
ing Youngsters into the ring as a result
OF his offer to box any three men the
same night. The challenge is especially
directed at Al Palzer. Carl Morris, Tom
Kennedy. Jim Stewart and Frank Moran.
although there is little likelihood Of any
one of those worthless falling for 1t.
To tell the truth there is no public de-
mand for a white man to meet Jean
nette. or any negro other than the cham
pion. This emphasizes the wonderful
change in sentiment in the past two
years. Not so very long ago a white
heavyweight who attempted evasive tao
tics when challenged by one Of his COL
ored brethren would have been ridiculed
by press and public until he accepted or
retired from the game. Takd Tommy
Burns case for instance: He was forced
to consent to box Johnson Certainly it
was through no desire of 'Tommy's that
the fight took place. Since that time, or
rather since Jeffries' defeat. and a
twenty-month reign Of an ebony cham
pion. popular feeling has undergone q
marked change. The one great desire
now is to develop a man to win back
the title for the white race And when
that feat has been accomplished there
will be no one to urge a return match
for the loser. Hardly. 4 year or so OF
a negro champion is enough for a life
time.