Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-12
MINISTER COMES
OUT FOR BOXING
Rev. J. S. Stone, Chicago, Says
Revival Of Sport Under Good
Law Will Inspire Youth.
BETTER THAN P0oLRO0M
But Foes Of Illinois Bills Plan to
Have Lobby Aimed at Defeat
Of Legislation.


now before the Illinois legislature is
net confined TO the state and city Off
Gals. including Governor Dunno and
Mayor Harrison. who already have de-
clared themselves in favor Of a re-
vival Of the sport under proper reguIa-
tions
ClerGyTen Of all denominations are
watching the progress Of Jue measures
in committee. and while some are pre-
Pred 10 join the fight to prevent the
enactment OF boxing legislation. others
are OF the opinion that the passing of
a law for cleaneut sparring exhibi-
tions viii pc a benefit 70 the commu-
nifty.
Among the ministers fayoring box
ing. with the limitations proposed by
the sponsors o. he present movement,
is Rev. James :. Stone, rector Of ST.
James Episcopal parish.
MINISTER FAyo3s SPORT.
The question Of boxing. and Of my
attitude toward ;hc proposed Iegisla-
tiCu. am very glad 20 answer" said
Mr. stone IF the state purposes to
supervise boxing aud Other athletic
contests Of the sort. and to keep them
free from commercialIzad rings Of
crooked eTqloi'ers, an heartily IN
favor # such legislation.
1t seems - me boxing can Re regu-
lated so IS 20 apyea' TO the finer in
stincts Of hcFs and men There Is
nothing eleyat.ng in bout between
two men Of unequal strength or sci
ence.
ON the other hand there is some
thing inspiring in contest between
two masters Of any form Of physical
exercise. perhaps more 50 in clean.
scientific boxing match than IN any
other trial OF SIKH. s'rehE'h ana en-
durahce,
BENEFIT FOR Young MEN.
/ From my youth have favored
boxing. but I always have opposed the
evils attendant upon The sport when
it falls into the hands of crooked pro-
motors think the revival Of boxing
/ in Illinois would be attended with
good results among our growing boys
and our young men. Better gymna-
SUM as = gathering place for boys.
even II some Of them get bloody noses
or black eyes occasionally. than 4 pool
room or a moving picture show.
We cannot raise race Of weak
lings. The boy should he taught 10
take care of himself 70 be se't-reliant
and a protector of those weaker than
himself He should grow into that
kind OF a man. The foundation for
manhood of that type can be laid in the
gymnasium better than anywhere else.
II boxing will reawaken the apparently
dying interest Of our boys in the gym
.nasium sports, then | am heartily IN
favor Of 1t
OPPOSES BOXING LAW.
Rev. Elmer L. Williams. pastor Of
Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
dtsagrees with Mr. Stone. He an
nounced himself as unalterab1y op-
posed TO the passage Of any bill legal
iEing boxing.
The line OF demarcation between
the polite boxing we hear so much OF
now and actual brutal prize fighting.
he said, els so lightly drawn that Il
Will be impossible for any commission
to keep the sport from degenerating
into fighting pure and simple.
= do not believe the revival OF box
Ing would help in the education OF
rising generation. DO not deny that
a clean boxing bout. between men
evenly matched. IL good thing. /
think gymnasium boxing Is splendid.
But believe II the state legalizes
boxing we viii come 10 the place
where we will have lot OF prize fight
ing and no boxing al all
DOLLAR MAIN EMBLEM.
NY experience with boxers and the
managers of boxers IS that with such
class IN control Of boxing. no matter
how CLOSELY a commission might regu-
late Il from the outside. the game
would certainly become a commercial
/ lied sport. with the dollar the main
emblem. obscuring all sense Of fair
play. am opposed to boxing legisla-
ton. and while 7 shall not 20 TO Spring
/ field in the effort to defeat the bills.