South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-21
WHO STOPPED THE
BOUT? AUGUSTINE
PASSES THE BUCK
Refusal of Head of Safety Board
to Assume Responsibility for
Ending Boxing Match Likely
to Cause Police Row.

Prest Burr +. Augustine of the
board of public safety Friday refused
TO affirm or deny the statement made
by Chief Millard +. Kerr Of the police
department that the Popp-Griff box
ing exhibition was stopped at the
Moose home Thursday night at Aug
ustine'S suggestion.
Following the sudden stopping Of
the exhibition Thursday night Pres t
Augustine stated clearly to The News
Times that he knew nothing about the
affair, havin~ just arrived in the city
after a two days absence Chief Kerr
was called a few minutes later and
stated that Augustine had called him
on the telephone at 10 o'clock and
said he had complaints that the exhi-
bition was a prize fight, intimating
that it should be stopped. Chief Kerr
then instructed the officers at the
Moose home to stop the bout, which
was done
The Conflicting Statements.
Here are the conflicting statements:
L know nothing about it.
didn't even know there was one
going on. Have been out of town
for two days and just got back"
B. +. Augustine, ll:10 y. IN.
Mr.. Augustine called me up
about 10 o'clock and said he had
several complaints that the eXhi-
bition was a prize fight and ask
ed me 10 investigate. ! called up
Chief Kuespert and told him to
stop the affair" - AIillard X.
Kerr, 1l:15 p. IN.
When questioned Friday regarding
the conflicting statements made by
himself and Chief Kerr Thursday
night, Pres't Augustine refused to
talk.
was Chief Kerr's statement cor
rect2" was the question put to the
president Of the board of safety.
Il have nothing whatever to say
about the matter at this time" was
the reply.
Were you quoted correctly in your
statement made Thursday night?"
Il think there was some misunder-
standing"
Pres't Augustine could not explain
Just where the misunderstanding
existed and closed the conversation by
repeating that he had nothing TO say.
Difficulties to Overcome.
Indications are that there are some
difficulties between the police depart
ment and the head Of the board of
safety which must be irOned out soon
Pres't Augustine'S contradiction of
Chief Kerr's statement places both in
a peculiar position before the public.
What 1 said Thursday night re-
garding the source of the stopping of
the exhibition still stands" said Chief
Kerr Friday morning. The report
in The News-Times was correct"
Chief of Detectives John Kuespert,
10 whom Chief Kerr delivered the or
der for stopping the exhibition, said
Friday morning that the show had
been conducted in an orderly and law
ful manner by the management.
1T was a clean exhibition and
I personally did not feel that it
was necessary to stop it Mr..
Swarths. who was in charge,
made every effort TO conduct the
exhibition properly and should be
complim ented upon the way he
handled the affair. He was very
anxious TO abide nv the wishes OF
the police department and showed
this at all times"
Mayor T. W. Keller was reticent re-
garding the affair When approach
ed on the matter by the reporters he
said he was too busy 10 talk but later
stated that he had no opportunity
TO talk with the other officials and
knew nothing about the AFFAIR except
what ne had read in The Times.
CONTINUED on PAGE 13.)