The New York herald., 1920-01-18
So Maintains B. j. Angle, Veteran
Who Counted Beckett Out, and
He Gives Reasons.

III the United States boxing fans almost
to n man consider the British method oi
refereeing inadequate and ridiculous. Over
on the other side the Britons have just
about the same ideas OF the American
methods. Americans could never see why
a. referee should sit on a stool outside Of
the ropes and the Britons hold to the
opinion that that is the proper place be.
cause the referee inside the ring interferes
b. j. Angle, who has been connected with
the boxing game In England for fifty years
and who was the referee of the Carpenter.
Beckett fight. has some interesting things
to say on this question in an issue of the
Sunday Express of London. They follow
1T had been stated, I know, that 1 in.
tended to officiate for the Carpenter and
Beckett contest inside the ring. No! Ref,
erecting inside the ring is an innovation
from America, and one with which I de.
cidedly disagree.
"A referee inside the ring is engaged ir
a physical effort which distinctly handi
caps him in weighing up calmly and dis
passionately the points scored by each
man in each round. Moreover. this meth
cd OF judging contest is apt to interfere
with the boxers. For instance. have
known boxers to come into collision with
the referee. The opponent unfortunate in
this way must suffer a temporary handi
cap. at any rate.
again the presence Of the ruling Off
ria ipc ba rim,
holding. The men know that in some
cases they will be forcibly separated
The rules which govern practically all
contests are those of the National
Sporting Club. and they distinctly state
that holding demands disqualification
"I have no doubt that on many occa.
sions referees have decided to climb in
side the ropes and do their work from
that position, because of the noise made
by demonstrative spectators. In some
places 1t would be utterly useless for a
referee to try to make himself heard
outside the ring. Hence the innovation.
I'm my judgment, the fact of the
referee being in the ring is an insult
to spectators who do know how TO behave
when watching boxing. Mr.. Bettinson,
Mr.. j. H. Douglas--who has for many
years occupied the chair at the head :
quarters of boxing-and his son. Mr.. j.
w. II. L. Douglas, concur In this view.
u. w. III. t." Is, OF course, famous in
the world of sport. He has played
cricket for Essex and England and
represented his country in the Olympic
games boxing competitions. IT was in
1908 that he won the moddle weight
event after n magnificent contest with
Mr.. Snowy Baker, a colonial who
would have given anything to return
to Australia with the laurels.
Has Taken Refuge In Ring.
I'm times gone by have taken refuge
in the ring-not because ] wanted to, but
because OF being hustled, threatened and
relieved of my watch outside the ropes
On one particular occasion the boys" did
not score. Their capture was a Water
bury. The atmosphere of boxing was very
different In those days.
This was not the first time my watch
had been taken by dexterous fingers, by
the way. ! remember n night at the Or
monde Club. where ] was TO referee the
contest between Jack Slavin (brother OF
the great Frank and Con Riordan. MY
escort TO the doors of the building con-
sisted OF four stalwart policemen. but
they unfortunately failed TO protect my
watch pocket. When l felt for the time
the pocket was empty.
Now for the interesting sequel. My
loss was made known to the fancy They
promised to do their best. and the result
was that the watch was returned to me
at the Stock Exchange. IL had new
gold ring to replace the one broken DUR
ing the theft.
with the watch was an unsigned note.
It read:-'Sorry for the mistake. Conn
pliments Of the season. IL was Christ
mas week. I believe in hearty laughs,
and plenty OF them, and l positively
shook with merriment.
1T Is strange how these little things
come back 10 one. I could tell many re-
markable stories, but have not yet
finished with the rcfereeing question.
Advantage of Acting outside.
THE great advantages OF acting outside
the ring are complete absence OF physical
effort, being seated, and only having 10
caution boxers when infringements of the
rules occur.
There can be no doubt whatever that
a referee should himself be or have been
boxer who has endured the stress OF
competition. have always held that the