El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-19
URGE GOVERNOR
To APPOINT
BOARD
Promoters All Over State
Endorse Plan to Pop
ularize the Pastime.
GOV. CAMPBELL IN
FAVOR OF BOARD

A RIzONA boxing fans are much
n stirred up over the recent dis
cussion OF the appointment Of a state
boxing commission OF the order OF
the Ohio. New Jersey and New York
system Of handling padded contests
and there IS little doubt but that an
attempt viii be made TO amend the
law legalizing the sport at the next
session of the legislature so that a
board to supervise all contests can be
appointed by the governor. II would
consist OF a secretary and treasurer
with a certain number OF c0mmiss-
sioners and a representative in every
city where boxing is conducted Full
power to reissue and revoke fran
odises to clubs would be given the
commission by the state executive.
Kelly Outlines Plan
One OF those supporting the plan OF
a commission in no small degree IS
George J. Kelly. Of Tuscon, who up TO
within a few days ago officiated as
matchmaker Of the Warren District
athletic club at Bisbee-
He has taken NJ the matter
with Gov. Thomas F. Campbell
and has obtained official sanction
and Is now endenFOrinE to line mp
all Of the promoters In the state
TO get together and boost for the
appointment Of commission
This would Of course he done if
amendment is put through at
the next meeting Of the law
makers TO senator Harry Jen-
ninE'S original bill asking that
the glove game be Iegalized.
Kelly in letter 10 The Herald
sporting editor states that five per-
cent OF the gross receipts Of a boxing
match is given TO the state commits
sion and which paws the salaries Of
the officials and leaves quite a sub
stanttal margin AT the end OF the
year. This surplus sum, he believes. }
could be used for the construction Of
z state home for orphans or the build
ing Of an addition TO the state uni
rersity. or again the maintainence Of +
a big public hospital
Hart the Game
Such occurrences as the recent Z
trouble in Nogales when Bobby Burns I
struck the referee after a decision +
was rendered against him could be I
averted by the boxer being so penal (
lied that he would not repeat the Of /
tense.
Kelly takes a rap at the scheduled I
fight between Ad Wolgast. former (
lightweight champion and Young
French a last coast 10 coast boy, 70 Z
be held in Phoenix within the next (
two weeks. WolEast has never ap-
preached the form he attained when 4
he won the title and in the opinion {
5f Kelly VIII be beaten easily
The fact that rival promoters
viii stage contests in Tuscou on
Labor Day at the same time f.
another fact that contributes TO
the dire need Of commission to
regulate conditions and prevent
the holding OF two contests ut the
same time when two first class
men are engaged. A city OF the
size OF Tuseon Is not able to sup
port two boxing clubs running n
val attractions at the same time.
Leonard Making Money.
Juuglng from letter received by
Kelly from Billy Gibson, manager OF I
champion viii not come down to the
southwest for some time TO come.
Gibson states that toxinE conditions J.
are II splendid condition in the east
at the present time and Leonard re-
celVed more than $4,000 for his share
OF the engagement with Patsy Bline {
in Philadelphia on August Il He :
asserts that he has been figuring on
trip TO the southwest for some
time but under present conditions he Z
could not come to this section unless
he was guaranteed q big sum to sup Z
port his business judgement in max
ing the trip.
The Governors Letter
Governor Campbells sentiment in
regard 10 the appointment OF a box
ing commission is expressed in the ]
following letter TO Mr.. Kelly;
MY dear Mr.. Kelly
Il acknowledge receipt Of your let
ter OF the 18th ms, setting forth the
situation in boxing circles in the state I
and believe that you are on the right
track However, there is still a bill ]
which governs this Snort and there
fore IL viii be impossible to put your
suggestion TO have a boxing commits
soin governing II in effect
IN my judgement, the way the
game is now going. IL will necessitate
some action soon to maintain the
sport on clean basis or boxing con-
tests viii soon be a thing Of the past
as the public viii not stand for such
work"
Sincerely yours,
Thomas L Campbell
Governor"