New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-18
Unftness of Officials
Responsible for Disre-
pute of Ring Sport
By w. o. MCCLELLAN

Inc luLurt q inc DoAAuS game - w
to Governor Whitman. VINO seems 20
be doing some sidestepping suggestive
Of Freddie Welsh az his worst.
The boxing game has fallen into
dsrepute because of the unftness OF
a boxing commission appointed by
Governor Whitman. This has been APP
parent for some time, even before the
charges were filed against the head of
the Whitman commission. The obvl-
Gus remedy is the removal Of the
commission sno the appointment of
commission fit 70 serve.
Instead of taking this course, the
Governor seems inclined TO dodge the
issue by sponsoring a bill to clint
nate boxing altogether. This IS not
meeting the issue squsrely. Before
the boxing game is made TO walk the
plank it is entitled to a fair trial UNI
der the guidance of men who will try
TO keep it out of the hands of lar
cenists and takers.
am holding no brief for the box
ing game. l do not believe with the
editorial writer OF The Chicago
Tribune" that it has any great REIN
ing or beneficial influence on society.
But it is mild and harmless sort Of
amusement when it is kept out OF the
hands Of thieves and thugs.
Boxing Has Many Friends
David Belasco, and a number OF
Judges who might be named, seem TO
get some amusement out of the game.
They can hardly be classed among
"the worst elements Of society be-
cause they like a smashing tight once
in a while Boxing has lot OF repu-
table friends who will resent Its sum
mary elimination.
II the Governor is fair he will give
boxing a chance before he starts the
clamor 70 eliminate II. II was dragged
into disrepute by his own commits
sion. He owes the boxing fans some
amends for these appointments; at
least. he owes them the chance 70
show what could be done for boxing
under a commission that was Mt LOT
the work.
II has been said that the Albany
tragedy was the final factor in turn
ing Governor Whitman against the
boxing game. The Governor com
nented upOn the callousness OF the
promoters who permitted boxing bouts
10 continue after boy had been accl-
dentally killed in the ring. ~, .
would remind the Governor that
one of his own boxing commissioners
was present at this "saturnalla,' as
he is said TO have called II. II the
Governors boxing commissioner was
ft for the position he would nave
stoned the bouts Immediately lie
had arbitrary power over the pro-
meters and should have used It. The
fact that he did not is proof conclu-
sive of his unfitness for the once 10
which Governor Whitman appointed
him. ..-.;..
In conclusion, I would call attention
IN the fact that the commission IN
control of boxing before Governor
Whitman appointed the present board
kent the boxing game pretty Tree
from scandal. Il was only after Gov
eruor Whitman appointed the three
nresent commissioners that the oox-
ing game became just one scandal al
ter another.
Decency Demands Change
The boxing game as it has been ex-
isting is a shame and a disgrace
Decency demands change. IL MAKES
little difference 70 the lovers OF cleah
snort whether it is eliminated entire
~ or radically reformed, only IN this
that a strong man in the Governor
Mace would admit the unftness OF tne
present commission and be fair enough
10 give the boxing game trial uhuer
three competent and honest men,