The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-29
WILLARD SAYS THAT
He IS NO Stacker
Big Pugilist Asserts Anyone
Who Says He's Afraid
Is a Liar.
AWAITS THE CALL
Wouldn't Accept Him on Ac'
count of Wife-Will Go
If Needed--He's Boss.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
less Willard declared that, while he
was the worlds champion heavyweight
pugilist. he had no desire to annex
another lille as Americas champion
ieatherweight patriot.
Mr.. Willards principal hasiness-he
is now showing with wild west sio"
is to present crosses. right and lett
and not iron, but he denies any inten-
zion to give the double cross to Uncle
Sam.
ANY time that the chin whiskered
gentleman with the white beaver tie
and the red. white and blue ralment
wants Jess 10 sign articles for flnish
fight with the German gun lighters
the battling bchemoth says that ne VIII
be there with both hands.
willard is willing 10 shoulder
rnusket in the ranks; but If he has the
choice Of warfare, ne would ask Tor
the widely known code OF the late ana
lamented Marquis OF Queensoerry'
rather than the later and not so la
uented Field Marshal Hindenburg.
II they bring on the German army,
one at a time" he said, I'm end the
war myself
Several days ago the word was
flashed from the west that Willard had
wired to the president and Offered TO
enlist as "A private Later when ms
name did not appear, it was officially
announced. by his press agent. that ne
was too big and had been turned down.
Ttr recruiting officer at Chicago was
then reported as saying That WIZARD
bulk wouldn't have anything to do "ith
II. and that if he wanted to become
boy in khaki to step up and say the
word.
Not so, not So quoth Jess. refer
ring to the alleged Stacker episode in
Chicago If any man says that I'm
afraid to enlist and fight for my coun-
try, tell him for me that he is liar
His audience, which comprised boys,
small boys and smaller boys, together
with other onlookers, all looked as II
Jess could carry out that plan to the
letter without fear OF rcprisal They
kept n discreet silence.
This Is the true state of affairs" he
continued. Il was going downtown In
my motor car business by Manager
Tom Jones of murmuring, 1T cost
$4,000 when | saw a sign asking men
to recruit | thought that | was big
enough for that job and offered TO en-
list. The fellow looked at me. He
a
Nothing doing, you're too big
Boss at Home.
Then, when | told hint who | was
he admitted that | ought to make a
good fighter. but that because was
married they couldn't take me. He said
they were taking no married men
Then | came away. ANY time this
country asks the married men to shout
der Il musket and get into a trench
they will find me ready,
Six years have made Il big change
in the champion pugilst. Formerly
he WAS employed AS a hostler and q
horse, wrangler, but under the eagle
eye Of Tom Jones, the Belasco of the
boxers, he travels in his own private
car, has his own chauffeur and his
own chef.
Four years ago the champion was al
awkward, ungainly chap, who was
nothing but big boy. Rubbing elbow:
with the great world, he has acquired
IL polish that can even withstand RAPID
fire questions. Now he is suavc ant
Llase, but unsoiled, too.
How did your wife like the idea o
your cnlistingH" he was asked.
ooh. she didn't mind" was the an
swcr. I'm the boss and do az
please with striking emphasis on tn
boss"