The Washington herald., 1917-03-19
Still HOPE congress
MAY LEGALIzE Boxing
Believed Representative Cary Will Re-
introduce Bill in Next Congress.

With the adjournment of the Sixty
fourth Congress many boxing fans OF the
District practically gave up all hope OF
ever being able to shove through bill
that would legalize limited round bouts
In the District Of Columbia.
Last December Representative William
]. Gary, of Wisconsin, introduced In the
House a bill that II passed would have
permitted the staging of fifteen-round
bouts. or less. in the national capital
The bill was referred to the committee
on the District Of Columbia and repeated
efforts by the Badger statesman to secure
a hearing by the committee, on the bill.
proved futile.
This has not been the first attempt to
secure, through Congress, legislation
that would tend to revive and stimulate
interest in the District Of the manly art
of self-defense.
II the time should ever come when
Congress was to favor the sport-loving
public of Washington with legislation
that would legalize boxing here there Is
no question but what the game would
thrive provided It was placed under the
Jurisdiction of competent officials.
One OF the main reasons assigned for
the failure Of the House District Com
rnittee to take up the proposed measure
and report favorably upon 1t was that
UnenDeTS VI lHc iOl IoiN
to go on record as favoring such legisla-
ton. especially at a time when the leg
islatures of two States were contemplat-
ing the repeal of the boxing laws effect
i've in their respective States.
The 6isrepute and chaotic condition IN
to which the boxing game has fallen in
several localities throughout the United
States. has placed a stigma upon the
sport that, unless curtailed or remedied.
is liable to result In national legislation
that will prohibit exhibitions public and
otherwise.
One OF the noticeable features OF the
bouts staged at the Maryland Social and
Athletic Club. of Ardmore-the club pat
ronized by Washington fight fans-was
the absence in a large degree, of the So
called trough element" And 1t is just
this fact that leads those who are m
favor of permitting exhibitions in this
city to believe that II the game Is once
leGalized here 1t will attract far better
class Of citizens than perhaps attend
bouts in other cities. where many clubs
are in competition
While they haze no definite assurance
OF his doing so. 1t is believed by those
who are advocating. the measure that
Representative Cary will again introduce
his bill when the first session OF the
Sixty-fifth Congress Convenes.
Republican organization OF the
House in the Sixty-ffth Congress will
mean that Representative Cary will be
chairman of the District Committee.
In that capacity he will be able to call
up this bill providing for limited round
bouts, under the direction OF a commits
sion authorized to regulate the sport and
exact revenues for the District from such
exhibitions
The manly art Of self-defense Is sup
ported by thousands OF the most intelli-
gent and influential people in the Dis
trict These men believe that the flnan-
clal side of the game has predominated
while its value as a sport has not been
exploited.
They are prepared to give their sup
TO a bill authorizing boxing exhibitions
under competent Jurisdiction and will
appear at hearings, II they are held, to
support such a measure