The evening world., 1918-06-12

THE New iork Evening World
YER in France 80 many OF the
~ crack athletes are gathered
that the military authorities
are planning to hold an Olympic
meet. only Germany and her subject
countries being barred. The NEE,
would bring together many Of the
star athletes from the United States.
Canada, Australia. England. France
and Italy.
The Italians have a now Marathon
runner who won "A thirteen mile
Marathon In England last week In
very fast time-a runner said TO be
better thar Dorando. As he beat the
English distance men easily. he would
be favorite in the big race.
The United States would have the
biggest team OF worlds champions OF
track and fielH Imagine a team with
such men az Meredith, duncan.
fkiviat, Ovcrton n scores OF college
n club champions, pitted against
me rest OF the Allies! 1t would be
SOME set OF games.
COLUMBIA will miss Jim Rice. the
famous rowing coach. who has
Just resigned. Rice II one OF the best
coaches in The country. He has done
Remarkably well with Columbia
crews. Rice did not care 20 20 on
with his work under war conditions.
He felt that there was not enough
enthusiasm over rowing at Columbia
10 make the effort of digging out and
training a crew worth while.
"
IRON the front we hear that war
isn't interfering with baseball
'over there" Divisional champion
ship matches are being played back
OF the lines. and the Boche drive is
hardly getting any attention In the
presence OF the greater attraction.
N The soldier boys have a corner on
all the enthusiasm in the world. Over
here we look at the ball players and
wonder II they might not better be
"over there" but 'over there the
han players are already wearing
khaki. and everybody Is ready to give
them full credit for anything they do.
The point Of view Is just a little bit
different
TESS WILLARD il said TO have
slowed away something like $780,
900 since he took the title from John
son at Havana
This talk about money is usually ex-
aggeration. Probably Willard has
been a party TO taking in about
$500, 900.
But Jess had a bunch OF managers.
Just how much OF II he has now *
q question. But ] have no doubt at
all that he could show enough to sup
nat kan. in SnVVaA AARRa. ~ naan - 40
q good old age, and buy all the black
cattle he wants for that Kansas
ranch.
Jess could afford 10 spend his time
working for the Red Cross.
Imagine the tremendous popularity
4 Willard had in his hand-and threw
away. He was "A fine figure OF q
champion. He beat the much disliked
johnson in good knockout style. II,
f had everything TO make him IA populai
ngure-thc most popular in all tn,
history OF boxing,
II Jess had shown a desire tn d,
something for his country he coulC
have volunteered to fight a few battles
for the Red Cross and for the arm,
funds. He could have done some box
Ing at the army camps. where mon II
y training would have been benefited
through seeing him in action an
would have enjoyed looking him over
wouldn't have cost Jess anythiaI
20 go around tho country working
for the Red Cross. lie would nave be
come more popular han on the da,
he beat Johnson million time
9 more popular. And with this addoC
popularity he could have done
world OF good.
Jess Willard Is 60 BE- pitied ThrougI
sheer inability to realize his oppor:uni
1 ties 10 do a great work, and sheer in
ability TO put himself in touch wit
ideas that did not consist wholly q
ambition to mako money, he ha
missed the greatest chance "A hghte
ever had.
One OF the boxers who went fror
New York TO Buffalo last Thursday I
q fight six rounds for the benefit OF tl
r. fund that is 20 equip our soldier camp
with much needed athletic supple
aid In my hearing:
= 'Geel 1 wish / was Jess Willard q
q couple OF days, 80 ! could help mai
the gate receipts bigger"
That boy had the right idea. II
wasn't thinking OF himself or his ow
credit. He was thinking OF what GOO
he could do. He wished that he cJuI
do more.
Fortunately for the good r~eputati1
az the sport OF boxing there are thol
sands like him-and few indeed wi
are unwilling 20 use their talents Il
a patriotic purpose.
EHULVIHILL expects 10 hold Il
wi Transportation fight in DaI
bury, July Attn. He is counting on tai
ing In a 100000 gate.
The fight would be very intereStin
Cd n the trip to Danbury is not at !
.oI impossible.
But there will be no 800. 900 gate,
To-day the general public Is Just
little too much interested in the w
news to become excited over wheth
the plasterer or the miner is the belt
walloper,
When the wal Is over there will
q tremendous boom in all lines
sport. Then there will be big rir
bouts aplenty. and big gates 20 go wi
them. But until then-don't look {
the 100000 until You strain your esq
Soseph.