The Washington herald., 1917-04-23
JESS WILLARD READY
TO ANSWER THE CALL
Heavy-weight Champion Is No Slack
er." but an American First. Last.
and at All Times
By JOHN A. DUGAN.
BY JOHN A. DUGAl

Jess willard Is here.
The champion of all champions Is In
cur midst, with the same big broad smile
that has made him famous. and that
wore down the unbeatable Jack johnson
under a pressure OF right and left punches .
at the memorable Havana hght
This big battler is far from being q
stacker" as when questioned In refer
enee to the present conscription bill and
his attempts to jotn the army and navy
he stated: Il am an American FIRST. lH't
and all the time, and II our dear old
Uncle Sam wants me I will be only too
glad to be among the first to answer this
call to arms"
Jess Is the same big battler that onse
again put the white race on the map IN
the heavyweight pugillst division. AK
cepting that he hes gained a little In
weight Jess tips the beam today at
20 pounds and looks TO be ready to enter
q ring within a few weeks IL any favor
able candidate can be found.
Willard Is no Stacker and the re-
ports that he had declined to enter the
army or navy when application was made
by him and denied. Willard stated that
his many friendE In the recruiting
branches Of the services had come for
ward with offers to him for enlistment
but that he had never declined any Of
their offers.
Inc DIX IellON IS enInuSlaSuC OfCI Ie-
cruiting for the army and navy and Is
willing at all times to put forth his es-
forts In tempting young Americans to
enlist. Jess Is ready when President VIII
son issues the call and is greatly peeved
when tsrmed Stacker by the North
ern scribes.
IT want to make one statement In ref
erenee to my retirement" said the dig
fellow last night
No p0f f1fa1d IN raffra and al sfOrfea
printed about my retirement are untrue
I expect to fight two or three more bat
ties before settle down on my ranch to
lead the quiet life, but show me where 1
am to be given a chance to mix It IN the
roped arena and win be only too glad to
accept the opportunity.
Carl Morris. who won from Fred F'ul-
ton the other day. cannot expect to draw
$4,000 In battle with me. and do not
see any promoters in the country that
viii hang up any kind OF a purse for q
fight between US. II Fulton had won
this bout he would have no doubt forced
me into an issue with him. but cannot
see any Of the present string of heavy
weight battlers who can be considered for
up contenders between now and next NO
vember I win only be too glad to take
them on"
Jess Is at present under contract with
the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, which
holds two performances today and tomor-
row at the .circus grounds at Fifteenth
and II streets northeast WilIard's pres
ent contract does not expire until next
November. and then the big champion
will be ready to take on all corners.
Tom Jones, the famous Sphinx man
ager OF the champion. Is with the Willard
party. while Bob Monoham and Steve
Savage. the heavyweight grappler, are
carried along In the private party to k9ep
the heavyweight champion in shape.
Tom Jones is quite a baseball enthu-
siast and in talking OF the proposition
Of Alexander the Great, of the Phillies,
breaking into the circus game, he stated:
Il attempted to arrange with a we'll
known Snowman to have Alexander give
q performance in the show game but
We could not figure out any kind Of act
that the big pitcher could do to get him
by with the public.
Alexander, outside of your Walter
johnson, is the greatest pitcher that 1
have ever seen work and I would have
liked to have had him hook Up in our cir
Gus game, but after considering the a gu
ment from every angle there was no
way OF getting him into It."
Tom Jones Is far from being the
Crouch that he is looked upon as being
by many of the fight fans throughout the
country, while, on the other hand, he Is
a thorough business man and one that
has his head up at all times.
Willard will give his two performances
today. At the matinee and night show
he will take on his sparring partner.
Bob Monohan, in three-round bout, be-
sides going through the regular routine
Of training.
Steve Savage, who is the heavyweight
grappler with the troupe, is offering $50
70 any wrestler who stays fifteen minutes
with him Frank Zeraga, Lou Scroggins,
Bumps Turner and Joe Ferguson viii no
doubt meet the big grappler in the four
shows scheduled. AS an added attraction
TO both the boxing exhibitions and
wrestling matches, P. F. O'Connor, the
well-known and popular sportsman I'll
act as the third man in the ring