The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-12
GOVERNOR DENIES
MOVE FOR BOXING
Smith. Here, Says He Made
No Suggestion to
Legislature.
lNTIMATES HIS SUPPORT
Declares Himself in Favor Of
Sport and One Man
Commission.

While voic!ng his approval of tn
sport, Gov. Smith denied yesterday az
,ernoon at the CITY Hall that he had
announced that he would sign a bill
rehao.litating professional boxing In this
STATE II the Republican Legislature
would pass spch a measure. Reports
rom Albany some days ago stated that
tire Governor had promised his sigma
,1re II the Legislature would obligc.
"I never made any such statement"
sid the Governor with considerable EN-
rhasis, and / decline to give expression
10 any opinion that might be construed
- an attempt on my part to influence
the action OF the Legislature on the
subject of boxing. The question OF
legislation on boxing is a matter solely
for the Legislature to deal with. II that
body sends a measure TO me for my
Signature It then will be time for me to
act. Until then ! NIT decline to cx-
press officially any views rs to the de-
stability of bc,.ing Law
The question then was nut to the
Governor II. in his personal opinion.
loNiHg was a sport that deserved
Face in the calendar OF vigorous pas
tines under lesal sponsorship, and he
replied:
"I believe that boxing under proper
Supervision would be worthy OF public
rpproval. The trouble with the sport
las been the absence of sccl super
vision. This holds good as to any branch
Il profc ssional sport. Strict enforce
nant Of salutary rules and absolutely
fir treatment cf the patrons CT any
pastme are essential to IL success.
Any sport that had been so loosely han
died as boxing would quickly dnd Itself
In the same unfavorable position"
Fnvors One Man Control.
The Governors attention was called
- his declaration in favor OF single
loaded commissions for various branches
Of the Government. and he was asked
Il he thought that idea would apply to
control Of boxing. He responded:
II think one man control OF any gov
o-nnental subject IL preferable. When
!repons Utility is divided II is difficult
to attain the best results because of
ire varying views held by the different
members Of commission OF three, Ave
O. seven men.
with one man IN complete control
O. an undertaking II 10 possible 'for
TIE public TO know exactly who is re
srnnsiole FOR success Or failure. ~ the
care OF commission composed Of sew
eral men. much red tape Is necessary
before any question before the body
IAN De disposed Oh. IN one lIlaf ~
80 head OF project he decides at
once II he is right, the public gets
r7ompt and correct action. II he is
wrong he deserves TO be removed
Gov Smith then wac asked IL. in
view o, the untavorablc conditions In
boxing under commission rule In this
state. he thought it possible to find one
or more men who could be depended on
70 properly supervise the sport. Tie said:
3.
.N America a capable, honest and con-
fc'entious man can be found for any
task that thu public requires 10 he un-
jertaken. The fact that one O.. tro
hoxinE commissions have not handled
he question to the satisfaction o, the
.Iblic and for the berefit of the sport
61es not prove that another commission
Canno; manage the sport with the best
results for all concerned"
oueried as 10 the right OF Americans
70 take up boxing as a profession and
r1sans Of making a livelihood. the Gov
.e-nor replied:
II see no reason why a man should not
axe up boxing rs profession. u is r.
rough form Of sport. but II a man can
Ray baseball, ride horses. play hockey.
rrtvs racing automobiles, o. engage in
other vigorous and dangerous past.mes
81 livelihood, I fail To- ace WIN h" an
i't Iake up boxing. Inc value OF box
g az a means OF fitting our soldiers
''- the task OF beating tho Huns has
'e7 fully demonstrated, and this doubt
less will have the effect o, removing from
ne public mind much OF the prejudice
ira: has existed because OF errors in
ne management of the sport
Roughness to BE Expected.
As TO the brutality of boxing, sta
-'ics show that the fatalities and In
Tries resultant from ring contests are
'a-y much less than those in other forms
o. vigorous competition. While these
fortunate incidents are to be deplored,
yet the viril!ty and stamina Of the hu-
an race depend on the partictpat zion OF
II youth in vigorous outdoor compeu-
Ion.
| am In favor Of physical training
'or The young. which should OF course
"a graduated according TO the require
eats and bodily vigor of the pupils"