Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-06-24
LEGISLATORS KILL
BOXING MEASURES
Ring Game Continues to Thrive
in Spite of Unfavorable
Lawmaking.
(Ry ]. A. ERMATINGERl

MI bN AZ NEE, WIS, June 10
When the state senators of Illinois
within the past week refused to affix
their official endorsement to "A meas
ure which was aimed to legaliZe the
boxing game within that common
wealth, the knockout punch the sport
then received was the climax to "A sea
son marked by frequent reverses for
the grand old pastime OF professional
fisticuffing.
Legislators in number OF states
lave taken sundry kicks at the sport OF
boxing. In no less than seven COM
monwealths efforts were made during
the winter session OF the legislatures
to enact laws that would have estub-
lished the game on IA definite basis,
under commission control. but II IL
noteworthy that supporters of the
sport were routed in every instance.
Briefly stated. here are some of the
most crushing defeats administered to
the sport:
New York solons repealed the pres
cnt law, to take effect in November
The governor OF Pennsylvania per
sonally slipped quietus to the sport
when he refused to affix his signature
to n bill that had passed both branch hes
OF the state legislature.
In Missouri n proposed bill was al
lowed to die natural death.
The Legislature OF Nebraska wrostled
with the problem for time, put 1t to u
couple of test votes. and then aban-
doned II.
In Illinois the measure passed the
house and was lackjacked in the SEN
ate. Even had it passed the senate the
death of the bill was certain. it Is de-
clared, because the governor of that
state does not countenance the sport.
Friends of the game thruout Mich
igan tried to put their shoulders to
bill which they hoped to shove thru
in spite of opposition by the chief ex-
ccutive. but the scheme died in its
infancy.
California Legislators looked with fa-
vor on a law to re-establsh the sport
In that state. but the storm OF public
protest started by ministerial associa-
tons quickly put IA damper on the
project.
Montana solons gave the subject the
once over. but support from outside
was only lukewarm at the best
From the foregoing array of opposi-
tion to the game the impression might
arise that the sport is In general dis
favor, but this Is far from being the
case.
In Wisconsin the legislature did not
find It necessary TO take any action
whatever In respect to the present law.
An effort was made by the boxing
commission to increase the amount OF
the state tax, but this was beaten.
The Minnesota law emerged victor
ious In "A spirited battle brought by the
forces against. but when IL was found
no definite charges could be brought
the opponents OF the law failed to
Jluster enough votes when the question
came up for final vote. Since then
the game has progressed more or less
satisfactorily
While the efforts to establish the
sport on legal basis have failed In
number OF states. 1t does not neces-
sarily mean that the game will not be
allowed TO continue. In New York. for
Instance, the promoters are making
plans 10 maintain the sport under an
old law requiring each club promoting
boxing bouts to admit only bona fide
members TO the shows. This plan
proved successful in the olden days
and there Is no reason to doubt but
that 1t Will be successful In the future,
altho 1t Is hardly probable that any
real big battles will be staged.
Philadelphia and other fistic centers
of Pennsylvania expect to have a con-
tinuance of the sport just as they have
been doing In the past In vetolng the
bill to legalize the sport In Pennsyl-
vania. Governor Brumbaugh is quoted
as saying that he took that action
simply because he did not wish to
leave the state open to the invasion Of
the swarms OF INSCRIPTIONS promoters
who did so much to kill off the game
ln New York city. AS long as the sport
is maintained In Pennsylvania on the
same high plano II enjoys at present
there Is no need to fear interference
from the authorities.
The same general condition holds
good so far as Missouri, Illinois and
Nebraska are concerned. but in Michl-
gan and Montana II Is evident from
the activities of the minions OF the law
t1at any attempt to stage public boxing
shows will be promptly squelched.
In California the authorities have
been and Will continue to sanction
bouts limited TO four rounds.
SO. far as other fistic centers Of the
country are concerned, notably In
Ohio, Louisiana and Tennessee. II Is
certain that the sport will thrive Just
as 1t always has been doing. Taken,
as whole, therefore. while the box
ing game Jared badly when submitted
to the tender mercies OF the state leg
islators II cannot be said that II has
received really serious setback. II is
in practically the same position now
that II was before the attempts to le-
galize 1t were given an inuetus