Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-18
BOXING MEASURE IS
GIVEN To HOUSE
BILL PROVIDES THAT HITTING
BE ALLOWED IN 5REAkS-ll-
cENsE FEE TO COST S5o--IS
SURE TO PASS.

Springfield, ILL.,, Jan. II Special
The Illinois boxing bill was introduced
in the house today by Representative
Jacob W. Epstein, OF Chicago, and was
referred to the committee on license
and miscellany, of which Representa-
tive Emil fostering Of Rockford is to
be the chairman. There is 4 well de
fined feeling that there is better than
an even chance that the bill. possibly
amended in some features, will be
passed by the house. Its fate in the
senate is much mere doubtful.
The committee Of the senate that
will consider it, the committee on Ii
cense is headed by Senator Wood OF
Jefferson county. He, as repreSen-
tatiye two years ago, fought the box
ing bill no the floor of the house.
Not Like Bill Beaten in 1915.
The bill, as introd ced, is consider
ably diffedent from tina, which went
to deefat in 1915. Safeguards and pro.
tectiye provisions have been inserted,
it is claimed that will obviate 10 great
degree objections that were raised IN
the battle OF two years ago.
The Epstein bill provides for the
creation Of state athletic commission
OF three members at salaries OF $4,000
EACH with u secretary a, S2,t.). Ii
censes may be issued by the commits
sioa to duly incorporated clubs Tor the
purpose of staging athletic boxing
and sparring matches No license
stall be issued to club unless it
shall have owned or held lease on
4 building or shed in which it is pro.
posed to have an exhibition for six
months consecutiyely prior to the da,e
of the license. A permanently estab
lished club having clubhouse may
use theater or hall for an exhibition
but an outdoor exhibition is prohibit
ed.
Scale Of Licenses.
The license fee is SIS for a club in
a city or village of less than 5000,
$50 for cities of less than $4,000, Sl00
for cities of less than 10000 and $3.50
for cities of 200,C00 or more.
Within twenty-four hours after an
exhibition sworn @,atement must be
made to the state treasurer OF the
gross receipts, which must be counted
in the presence of an official inspector
of the commission Five per cent OF
the gross goes to the state for the
general fund.
The bill permits ten round matches.
no round to be longer than three mn.
u.es' duration. Five ounce gloves IL
the maximum permitted there shall
be no Sunday matches, and bouts are
to be held only in an inclosed build
ing.
No Hitting in the Breaks.
The bill provides: THAT contest.
ants shall break cl an and must no,
hold and hit. Butting with head or
shoulders, wrestling, or Illegal use OF
the elbows shall not be allowed
There shall BIZ no uasportsmanlike
conduct on the part Of contestants.
This shall include the use of abusive
language There $ no requirement
as to a referees decision.
Medical examination prior to an e&.
liibition is required and there Is strn-
gent prohibition against the fake
matches Participation in a fake Is
pcnali2ed by six months suspension
OF q participant for the first offense
and total disqualification for the sec.
end
One section provides that there
shall be no license fee eyacted for
contests given under the direction Of
the A. A. L. or the Y. NJ. G, A.
First hearings on the bill may be
started next week, according to the
expectation expressed by friends Of
thp hill