New-York tribune., 1918-04-23
Officials Vote
Willard-Fulton
Bout toSt. Paul
Miller Promises Minnesota
Board to Give Bonuses
to War Funds

ST. PAUL, April 22.-The ten-round
bout for the heavyweight championship
Of the world between Jess Willard and
Fred Fulton on July a probably will
pc held in this city. according to the
terms of an agreement reached to-day
between Colonel Joseph Carson Miller.
promoter Of the bout, and the mem
bers Of the Minnesota Boxing Commits
sion.
After conference with Colonel Mil
Ter this afternoon the commission
voted unanimously to approve the hold
ing Of the fight in this state, and it is
expected that active preparations
for the staging Of the contest will get
under way at once.
Before the Boxing Commission would
give is consent to the holding of the
bout a promise was received from Mil
Ter that Willard and Fulton will re-
celve their share of the prize money
IN Liberty bonds, to be bought at par
IN the Twin Cities. Colonel Miller also
agreed to give 1212 per cent of the
gross receipts to the Red Cross or the
government recreation fund and to do
nate 25 per cent of all money received
from the fight pictures to the war
recreation fund.
colonel Miller was in 'promsing"
mood, Tor he is reported to have also
agreed to the following. To give 10
per cent of the gross to the state tuber-
culosls fund, as required by law, and
III per cent to the government war tax
-.
estimate of the fights drawing powers
Is correct it is figured that the various
war activities will receive about
100000 altogether
Pictures to Yield S15O.000
1t was pointed out that the Gpht n;ct-
ures would yield about $l50,O0O and a
capacity gate" would add as much
more. This would mean about s97.5 800
Tor the war fund from the pictures.
and the same fund or the Red Cros :
would get about $lS,750 more from the
night The state would receive $4,000
! In tax receipts, and a similar sum
would go to the government in addition
to the tax on the showing of tn pict-
ures.
Before the fight can be finally
cilnched, however, it will be necessary
Tor the State Safety Commission. which
meets tomorrow, to pass upon the
question of permitting the contest.
The decision of the Boxing Commission
vii! be laid before the Safety Commits
sion.
Earlier in the day Colonel Miller. be-
fore the meeting with the Boxing Com
mission here- had stated his Willingness
TO talk business at any time" with
army officers at Camp Grant, Rockford
! ILL.,, who are anxious to have the bio
fellows Ia har I,nf IL.
in training
Grant, telegraphed a vigorous s oahap uIti'
ratum to Colonel Miller from Chicago.
in which he declared that unless the
fight promoter met him in Chicago bv
noon to-day Camp Grant would wash
It's hands of the whole affair" Berry
appeared wearied by the backing and
hlling tactics of Miller and Willard,
the latter's 'partner," in staging the
bout. and said the camp was not Of
fered as refuge" but solely to pro
mote the fighting spirit of the soldiers
in training.
Expected Miller Yesterday
According to Berry, he had under
stood that Colonel Miller would meet
him in Chicago yesterday and the nro.
moters failure to be on hand PROMPTED
the sending of the peremptory tele-
gram
Any one who has observed the won
derful benefits which boxing has
brought to the camp would understand
why we want the bout. The principals
IN the night would have to be content.
SO tar as profits are concerned. with
what the camp commander might give
them,' declared Berry.
If Mr.. Berry were better aconain+ed
with Jess Wizards life and habits he
would right now abandon hope of hav-
ing the championship battle held a,
Camp Grant. The champion is after
the money, first, last and all the time.
and the louder the sound Of the coin
IN esweeter the music to Jess's finely
attuned ears.