The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-16
THE COMMISSION
HAS GOOD EFFECTS
Where Sport Fan Formerly
Saw Fakes, Veterans Now
Make Good

Now York. Fob. 16.--Thc action of
tho & York State Athletic commits
sion in barring Abe Attell and Danny
Goodman from the boxing arenas for
Il period of six months should have IL
salutaIy effect upon all those who
cater to the ringsidc clientele. 1t is Il
straight warming from the commission
that the usual methods and procedure
In V with The leading boxers and
their like will not he permitted in the
future.
Now that il has hccn demonstrated
that boxing is in charge of II body that
does not fear to use the powers depu-
tized to II by the state, a general linz
provrment in the standard Of tho snort
may be expected. There is no deny
ing the fact that there is Il strong and
steady demand for this form Of enter
thinment throughout the state, and
under sane conditions and
ment boxing should and will flourish.
Fighters Hold Back.
Heretofore the spectator who paid
an admission fec into the seat fund
never knew whether he was to re-
ccive a reasonable return or not for
his investment. 1t has been repeated
~ said that h bouts between the vir-
!uhlly boxers furnished tho
best exhibitions since the contestants
did not hold back in any manner, bur,
gave a free exhibition of their talents,
albeit they We're not of The CHAMPION
ship class.
Under the now ora. which should
apparently follow tho disciplining of
Il worlds titleholdcr. the spectator
can reasonably expect to witness ex-
hibitions i'm which the principals shall
do their best and box without rcScr-
walton of either skill or strength. The
very fact that punishment was not
Withheld because the boxer under in
vcstigation was Il champion makes the
example more lasting and impressive.
Since the two members of the COM
mission lave taken this initial step In
the right direction. it is to be hoped
II they will not become weary of
good deeds, hut will continue the cru
sadc until the long-standing suspicjon
and doubt. to put it mildly, regarding
the status of professional boxing shall
nave been removed, at least 80 far as
it's conduction in this state Is con-
Ccrncd.
h status of professional boxing is
i'll Il precarious condition at tho pres
cnt time in this state. Governor Dix
requested Il repeal of tho Frawley
law during the previous session Of the
legislature. In his message to the
present legislature he reiterated his
request. In accordance with his
wishes there are bills calling for the
repeal of tho law in both the senate
II the assembly.
Outcome is Doubtful.
What The outcome of these attempts
to comply with tho desire Of the state
executive will he it is, of course, i'm
possible to state at this time. There
is to be a sort of public hearing in the
matter before the bills are considered.
and 1t is certain that the legislators
Will be governed to Il certain extent by
the expression Ut public opinion.
Senator Frawley is opposed to n re-
peal of the law. While he admits
there have been some abuses. he in
sists there has not been sufficient time
as yet for the law to be properly test
cd. Assemblylnan Allen. Who intro
duced the bill calling for a: repeal of
the law. is of a different opinion.
THE present law" he said ycster-
day. lis unsatisfactory, and from all
over the state como demands for it's
repeal. The lrawley law was passeu
with the understanding tina 1t was to
permit boxing exhibitions before bona
fidc athletic clubs. Instead the law
has been used to stage prize fights and
% promote professional Matches"
Commission is Safe.
There is truth in both statements,
and it behooves both the commission
ana those whom they are supposed to
govern to observe both the letter and
II spirit of the law il they expect
boxing to continue under the sanction
of the state. That it is popular with
the public is proved by the receipts of
more than $4,000 in gate money in
the first three months under the
F'rawley law. That it is better. to per-
init boxing under The present law and
Il fearless commission rather than IL
return to the club NOTWITHSTANDING
of evading the code no one will DENY.