Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-12-05
BY JAMES j. CoRBETT
Former heavyweight Champion of the
World.

WOrlu,
New York, Dec. 5.-(Special to the
Capital Journa) Now that Governor
elect Whitman of New York is thought
TO be in favor of boxing exhibitions
il conducted as the Frawley law
stipulates, he is due to have fine
young time listening to every Tom,
Dick and Harry with an AK TO grind
But | guess he can handle them ALL
While Mr.. Whitman has neither af.
firmed nor denied the reports circulated
concerning his attitude in the matter
il is my belief, based on what ! have
heard from reliable people who are in
position to know, that the governor.
elect has practically decided to ap-
point nm entirely new board of com.
nlissioners to supervise the sport in
this state. And also it will not sur.
prise me if Mr.. Whitman even went
further and recommended that the
legislature pass bill making it legal
TO conduct bouts over any distance up
to twenty rounds-with decisions by
regularly appointed referees. This, of
course, is not official-the Governor
may change his mind after the poll.
ticians have given him several ears
full Of their sides Of the question, But
from what / know Of Mr. Whitman
win be very much surprised il he will
allow anyone, or anything but his com.
mon sense, to influence him ia the
matter
Here S hoping my information is cor.
rect 1t is about time we had man
Mt the head of our state government
with courage enough to recognize the
manly and attractive qualities Of box.
ing matches, No doubt the Governor.
to.be, Judging from his conduct as dis.
trict attorney. would be COURAGEOUS
enough, il the question was put TO
him, even to admit that he enjoys n
good contest now ard then. And that
takes considerable courage in man oc-
cupying high office these days
The incumbent commissioners, in the
opinions OF number Of good judges,
have fallen far short Of expectations.
Time and again cases have occurred
where prompt action on their part
would have helped to strengthen the
cause Of the sport as, for instance, in
matches whore one or more principals
have failed to appear and the clubs
have been permitted to fill.in with
cheap substitutes without first notify.
ing the public that the bouts as
gcheduel would not 80 on, Only last
week the Brooklyn Sporting Club had
billed match between AL Reich and
Colin Bell, the Australian heavy.
weight II appears that the club had
been notified early that Bell could not
appear but continued selling tickets
aud did not inform the crowd Of Bell 5
error of omission until it was time for
the contestants to enter the ring. The
spectators were then informFd that
Jack Mcfarland would be substituted
for Bcll No offer was made to refund
the money to those who wished II, so
understand. Still the Boxing Commits.
pioncrs did not see fit to investigate,
although all the crowd got for their
cash were several cheap preliminary
bouts aud worse than onc.sidcd eX.
hibition between Reich aud Mcfarland.
Boxing patrons have had little pro.
lection extended them by the present
board aud no doubt Mr. Whitman, who
uincc holding the office of district at.
torncy has made II point 10 become
pretty well posted about things in gen.
crol has taken all this into consider
alton, hence the report circulated Of
Tho contemplated change in the per.
nounel Of the board
When the antibONmg law goes into
OBJECT IN California the middle Of this
month a number Of Young men who
have been calling the Golden State
home Tor a long time win copper
Moracc Greoley's advice and hike to.
wards the cnst, New York. New Or.
loans and Milwaukee will hc asked to
take care Of the overflow Of fistir
talent which will be headed in this
general direction shortly as these cities
practically win have a monopoly OF inn.
port0ut contests with San Francisco
aud Los Angeles out Of the running,
In way It will be n good thing for
Che game In the eastern citics. A now
face now and then adds interest to box.
ing matches, aud 30 Gar as New York
goes an occasional strange "mAph
would indeed be welcome provided
The gent has anything In the way OF
reputation to back II up. Among those
VIM NV NNHNNNNN I" toh' wv l"AAlNl
for this section Immediately after the
holidays are Willie RitChie light.
weight champion, Joe Rivers, Frankie
Burns and Harry Foley's latest dlscov.
cry, Ralph Grunan, the Portland light.
weight scrapper who is toutcd BY many
western writer's as worry promising
member Of the fraternity Jimmy
Clabby, George Chip aud Hilly Murray
win swell the list Of eligible middle
weights already here,
BY the time the boys begin to arrive