New-York tribune., 1918-11-05
Mott Confirms
Opposition to
Boxing Bouts
United War Work Official
lnstructs Committees Not
to Hold Them
By Fred Hawthorne

Although there have been many and
varied denals made of the main facts
printed in "The Tribune" of last Thurs
day, In relation to the opposition of
the men controlling the United War
Work Campaign toward professional
boxing outside of army cantonments
and the holding of any sports on Sun
day, in the national drive for $40
100000, telegram that came into our
hands yesterday, from confidential
sources, confirms The Tribune's state
ments in an official manner.
The telegram is from DR.. John r
Mott, chairman Of the executive COM
mittee, and is similar to one that he
has sent to the heads of various com
mittees in charge of athletics through
out the country. This particular tele-
gram was to NJ. c. Williams, campaign
director of the Central Department
and is as follows:
"New York City, Oct. 80, 1918.
IN. G. Williams, Suite 500. 1903 South
LaSalle Street, Chicago. III.
"The Sports Committee, concerning
which newspapers have carried pub
licity recently, is voluntary organ
ization of prominent men interested
in sports, Herbert L. Pratt, chair
man; Julian Curtiss, treasurer; Will
liam w. Roper, secretary. Committee
is offering opportunity for athletic
interests of country to contribute to
drive through football games and
tournaments of various sorts. Has
given definite instructions that NO
GAMES ARE TO BE HELD ON SUN
DAY. WILL HAVE NO BOXING
MATCHES EXCEPT IN ARMY CAN
TONMENTS, where boxing is part
Of government training programme.
In scheduling any games or contests
in your territory, will work with you
and with local committee, to whom
accounting will be made and funds
collected applied to local quota
THIS NOT FOR PUBLICATION,
BUT FOR YOUR INFORMATION IN
CASE OF QUESTIONS.
-. r. MOTT"
The wording of this telegram is DR.
Motifs, the capitals are ours. There
seems no good reason why the sports
committee of the United War Work
Campaign, even though is does not
wish to accept money for the soldiers
and sailors from professional boxing
and Sunday sports, officially, should
not derive a very substantial part of
sources. If it is the sense Of those
in charge Of the great drive that the
cause would be injured by accepting
money directly from the sports com.
planned of, we'll and good, but why not
let the light in on The facts, so that
all will know where they stand?
We have not the slightest doubt bu,
that the sport drive will be tremen-
dous success, especially with men like
Roper and James w. Coffroth in charge
of football and professional boxing
and now that the situation is clear, le
everybody get aboard and put the thine
across in truly American fashion, which
means a little better than anybody an
ticipates.
At meeting held yesterday at &C
Vanderbilt Avenue Mr. Roper, DR.
Fisher and "Big Bill" Edwards were
present, and it developed that the COM
mittee had been encountering all kinds
of trouble in securing the services OF
some of the prominent pugilists now il
the army and navy. 1t IS understood
that this OPPOSITION arises from officia
sources.
Mr.. Roper and his colleagues are go
ing to take the matter up with DR.. Jo
seph f. Raycroft. of the Training Caml
Activities, and if satisfaction canno
be gained there an appeal will be made
to Secretary of War Baker.
The committee that is going to con
duct the monster boxing carnival g.
the Garden on Saturday night, Novem
ber 16, received a telegram from
Freddy Welsh. the former lightweight
champion of the world, yesterday, il
which Freddy said he would be unable
to appear at the Garden, owing tt
official duties" chat will keep him il
Washington.
is Fred Hall Thomas, wired fron
Washington that he had just beer
promoted to first lieutenancy in thu
Sanitary Corps and detailed to in
struct wounded soldiers at Walter
This removes a great attraction from
ficer to our army, so none should com
plain.
Jack Reddy. manager Of Billy
Miske, also sent telegram from st
Paul, in which he told Charley Harvey
chairman of the local committee, tc
match Miska with whom he wished anc
as frequently as desired, in order te
help out. This is the proper, winning
spirit.
Horse Show Receipts for