The Washington herald., 1917-01-14
time FOR FANS TO
BOOST JOE TURNER
Local Grappler Deserves Support of
Mat Followers in Yokel Match.

II has been a matter of considerable
comment among some of the sporting
fraternity as to just why Joe Turner.
the Washington middie-weight wrestler.
seems to have fallen into disfavor with
SO many of the local mat fans.
: Unassuming modest and retiring at all
times and under all conditions, 1t would
seem that Turner would command and
hoid the goodwill and best wishes OF
every mat follower of the National Capt.
tai He Is nothing other than a good
natured, likable fellow, minus the ego
which so frequently appears in an ath-
lete In any line of sport who ascends to
the top rung of the ladder. But il is
just this lack Of unanimous favor in the
eyes Of the local mat fans that has
Drought forth the oft-repeated, why 10
IL that he does not seem TO carry the
crowd with him?"
1t most certainly cannot be his per-
sonality. and 1t just as surely cannot
be attributed to the fact that Turner
picks only the soft spots in which to,
show his wares. Therefore il can be only
one other thing-and 1t must be that the
local patrons of the game have tired OF
seeing Turner continually winning match
after match, pinning the best the coun-
try has to offer
During the past five years Turner has
participated in no less than 100 matches
occasions has he been defeated. This is
truly most remarkable record when it
is taken into consideration that he has
never refused to meet a grappler who
could make the midde-weight limit, de-
teating such men as Pinky Gardner,
Happy Parker. Fritz Hansey, Tom Long,
George Prokis, Chris Jordan, Pete Brown,
Young Olsen, and many others, and final
ly winning the championship from Sam
Anderson. Turner achieved the ambition
or his career that Of winning the title
when he threw Sam Anderson at the Ma
testic Theater in 1913
Turner, as a local boy, IL for no other
reason, deserves the support of WASH
inston followers of the graphing game
IN his coming match with Mike Yokel.
Of Salt Lake City, Utah He has upon
no less than two occasions iourneyed to
the famous Mormon city and met the
western artist, each time losing to him
IN what the Western scribes described
as the greatest wrestling bout ever
staged in the far West
Although defeated by Yokel, in his
own home town. Turner has repeatedly
endeavored to get him to come East and
meet him in a bout for not only the
Police Gazette belt. but also for the
championship of the world. a title that
Turner is Justly entitled to, for no other
reason than that Yokel has always. up
until the coming match scheduled for
January II. refused to meet the holder
OF the belt In the city wherein he may
select
While Yokel may have scored two vic
tories over Turner he is in no wise
entitled TO a claim upon the chanpjon-
SNIP Tor the very good reason that he
has so far failed to comply with that
provisions under which the CHAMPIONSHIP
is held-Wz.. that OF meeting the title
holder in the city he may name.
Since his last defeat at the hands ~
the Western marvel Turner has repeat
ediy endeavored to bring the Utah man
East for bout. going so far as to stipu-
late that the match would be for the title
and Police Gazette belt Up until now
fokel has not seen his way clear In which
to make the journey East Only after
futilely trying for a match under the con-
dttions at which Turner stated he would
meet him east OF the Mississippi River,
would Yokel consent to come East
Another case Of the fickleness of the
Washington sporting public was shown
just few years ago when George Nc
Bride-a more conscientious player never
lived-was game after game panned in a
manner that was disgrace to local
sports.
the same experience as came McBride's
way. and yet with the unjust criticism
which Is hurled at him in his matches he
plods along giving the unappreciative
public the best that is in him. What more
can be asked of any athlete?
As the old saying goes: 'Tt is a long
road that has no turning" Just SO will
the day come when those who pull against
the local boy will awaken to the fact
that the National Capital is represented
by mat artist who was and always is,
out to win.