New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-11
WOLGAST CAN'T FIGHT
M'FARLAND IN NEW YORK
Dix Directs Sheriff Hamburger
to Prevent Proposed Bout at
Madison Square Garden.
WOULD BE A DISGRACE
Declares Law Establishing Ath-
letic Commission Does Not
Legalize Prize Fighting
Asks Whitman to Act.

Albany, Sept. 10.-Governor Dix tonight
took steps to prevent the proposed ten
round bout between "Ad' Wolgast, the
lightweight champion, and "Packey" Nc
Farland. OF Chicago, at Madison Square
Garden, New York, the latter part OF the
month.
In letter to Julius Hamburger, Sheriff
OF New York County, the Governor says
that complaints have been filed with him
to the effect that this bout is being ar
ranged under such circumstances as will
calls upon the Sheriff to use every means
TO stop the contest.
In letter to District Attorney Whit
man the Governor asks him to co-opsrats
with Sheriff Hamburger.
The Governor also sent a letter To
Frank O'Neill, chairman Of the State
Athletic Commission. calling for an Inn 4
mediate report as to whether q lioenesl
had been issued by the couamisxton4
authorizing this bout
The Governors letter to sherin Haa.!
burger follows:
It Is currently reported In the pubi1o1
~ cSo thdt q COulcSlS W p6 lelQ III naQ~l
ison Square Garden, between two mem
named Wolgast and Mcfarland, Is being
arranged under such circumstances al
Will virtually amount to a prize fght.
The published statements to the forego-I
ing effect have been reinforced By tho
petitions Of individuals which have been
filed with me calling my attention to the
alleged facts and praying that the lawt
Of the state against prize fighting may
be enforced in this particular instance.
q 10
Athletic Commission and to regulate box
Ing and sparring was not intended tU1
and does not legalize prize fighting, and
the disgrace Of such an exhibition a. lei
said to be contemplated must not be-
tolerated. call your attention to the
above, with assurance that, as the re-
sponsible peace officer of the communists,
you Will not fail TO DO your duty IN ths
premises; and I expect that neither this
particular prize fight nor any other con-
test Of the same character will be per-
mitted by you within the limits Of your
Jurisdiction.
am sending copy OF this communi-
cat ton to the District Attorney OF New
York County with the desire and In tho
belief that he will in every proper way
cooperate with you in this matter.
After referring TO the complaints filed
the Governors letter to Commissioner
O'Neill concludes:
beg to inquire whether you are Off
cislly aware of what is alleged to be
contemplated In this matter and also To
be advised by you whether any license
has been Issued by your commission in
tended TO authorize the proposed con-
test or under cover OF which license
such contest may have been projected?
shall hope for an immediate reply.
The wolgast- Mcfarland bout scheduled
for action at Madison Square Garden on
September q has not been declared off
as yet BILLY" Gibson, the manager oc
the Garden Athletic Club said last night
that he was going right ahead with the
match and was waiting 10 hear further
from Wolgast. Gibson declares that there
is no way for Governor Dix to stop the
contest unless he repeats the law and so
prohibits all boxing contests in New York.
When seen by a Tribune reporter last
night Gibson said: 1.-The bout is not de-
clared OF yet, and we are going right
ahead with II. There Is no way that the
authorities can stop this coming contest
unless they repeal the Frawley law. This
contest will be the same as all others II
one bout is a prizefght. so are all 9TH
ers. and Governor Dix will make laugh
ing stock OF the law If he takes any &C
ton I'm the matter. We have a competent
boxing commission here now, and the
sport was never on such firm footing as
at the present time. Our lawyers have,
assured US that we are right, and being
right, We will go ahead Our original
offer 10 Wolgast goes as made"
In discussing the story of possible in
reference on the part Of Governor Dix,
a we'll known follower of boxing said last
night: "A meeting in this city between
Wolgast and Mcfarland would not be any
moro or as much OF q prizefisht as hun
dreds of contests that have been held
recently between lesser lights. The top
notchers are skilled boxers and know how
TO protect themselves far better than the
dubs."
There also seems to be a mistaken idsA
that q championship title hinges on this
proposed clash. This Ia entirely wronG
for the reason that both men have agreed
10 weigh in considerably over the light,
weight limit. Furthermore, there Ia DO
winners or losers end, as all boxers who /,
appear at exhibitions In this state ara
paid certain sums for their services, irre- /,
spectiye of the outcome. No decisions are
allowed, under the rules Of the State Ath- !
letic Commission, and the bouts are never !
more than exhibitions. ten rounds being I,