The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-03
Tape Hands in Rooms,

~ ANSNAAAo
Richard said It was likely the boxers
Would agree to tape their hands in
their dressing rooms at the arena and
N the presence Of II representative from
the rival camps, Willard previously had
SAID ne desired to have Dempsey and
himself come into the ring with bar9
hands and to adjust the cotton ban.
dages and a thin layer OF surgical tape
Whlle IN the ring To 10 this. how
ever, Richard said, would cause un-
Necessary delay.
Betting on the outcome Of the bout
has proved surprisingly light to date,
Notwithstanding the gathering OF
thousands OF prospective spectators, II
was estimated this morning by one OF
the foremost wagering commissioners
mat there was not much more thar
SlO, 900 in actual stakes in the hands
oi the various betting concerns. He ex-
planned this situation upon the theory
mat While tho adherents of the two
heavywctghts were sharply divided in
their opinion Of the result eaCh con-
tingent had too much respect for the
fistic ability Of the rival contender to
lay heavily on the chances OF their own
fNVOrite,
to- be veering toward the champion, for
while Dempsey hackers were Offering
even money on the challenger a day
or two ago. they are now asking that
Willard men lay 10 to &, Even when
these odds are granted tho switch does
not result in any large sums being
turned over to the Stockholders. Al
the leading commissioners quarters the
~hlackboards are filled with various bet
ting propositions, which have remained
untaken with the exception OF a few
freak bets, for several days. Some Of
these include: 500 to 81, 900 that VII
lard does not last three rounds; 800
to $500 that Willard does not respond
to the call for the seventh round. In
the pari- mutuel the heaviest play IL
being made on the seventh and eighth
rounds, while Dempsey II almost a 2
to | favoritc, according to tho number
OF tickets sold on the result, should
the bout go the fun IA rounds.
Every train arriving In Toledo Is I'M
loading It's scores and hundreds OF box
ing faus and hundreds are making the
trip here In motor cars, Once they
arrive a small percentage OF them go
directly to hotels and claim rooms for
which they made reservations n month
ago and which they are privileged to
occupy at the rate of W a bed, with
walk around the streets In frenzied
search for accommodations, which are
not to be found.
Every hotel, every rooming house,
bath house and other similar establish
ments are sold OUT for tonight. The
lnDuSdUuS VI NlHltbTH VINO VIII nt ul-
able to get hotel accommodations will
4 sleep on cots IN several buildings which
have been turned into huge dormitories,
Tho minimum charge for a cot In a
vacant building will be S., Hundreds
OF motor parties brought tents with
them and pitched them along the roads
on the outskirts of the city. Hundreds
OF others plan to spend tonight in
Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus and other
cities within Il radius OF 100 miles and
make the trip to Toledo early tomor-
row.
There probably ia more confusion,
more noise and more arguments In
Toledo today thnn In any other place
in tho world. Where arguments have
been crowded out, JUNIORS find room for
Themselves. Rut the arguments prevail.
Hotel Hobbies are crowded with indi-
viduala demonstrating a fAvorlte punch
Of either Willard or Dempsey or de-
batting whether Wizards now famous
rabbit punch win be allowed,
with their training grind ended, VIII
lard and his youthful challenger planned
to spend today in complete rest. The
champion planned to take a motor ride
into the country this afternoon to es-
cape the eyes Of the curious and 20
to bed early tonight,
A brisk walk was the program for
Dempsey this morning, Jack kearns.
manager OF the challenger, planned to
take him on a motor spin through the
country this afternoon to keep his mind
of the contest and also to avoid the
crowds which have flocked to the chal-
lenger's camp In ever-lncreastng mum E
hers.