Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-02-06
Hauner Rules Out
Boxing Contests

Cedar Rapids, Feb. s.--,Attorney
General Havnsr seems to have hand
ed q knockout to the proposed box
Ing contests In this city. In q let
ter to County Attorney Lockwood
he holds that boxing contest 10 IL
legal IL any money II paid to the
boxers or II any price Of admission
Is charged those who attend.
Copies of Mr.. Lookwood's letter Of
inquiry and Mr.. Havner's reply, fol-
low:
Jan. 2s, 1870. Hon. II. M. Havner.
Attorney General, Des Moines,
Iowa.
Dear Mr.. Havner:--I enclose here
with sample OF a membership appli-
cation of q new athletic club organ
lied here. The club proposes to have
boxing matches, providing the plan
they have made does not In your
opinion violate the law. The boys
here have been very fine In comply
ing with your order to the letter
with reference to boxing and I wish
the matter of this club to be given
your careful consideration.
II might state further that they
propose to run this club among the
same lines followed by the Ryan
Athletic Club at 70S Locust street,
Des Moines.
THE signing OF this application.
the payment Of one dollar and the
acceptance Of the same by the club
gives the applicant a years men,
bership in the association. After
every bout has been scheduled, then
u special assessment is made among
the members to defray the expenses.
Assuming now that this club as
outlined is not in violation Of the
law, wish you would give me your
opinion upon the following propo-
sitions. First: Should membership
applications or special assessments
be made at the door, Second: Is
there any form of advertising for
bout that should be prohibited?
Thanking you in advance for this
information. I am,
Yours very truly.
"Mr. H. X. Lockwood"
FEB. 3. 1920. Mr.. H. X. Lockwood,
SeQar RAPIDS, iowa.
MY dear Mr.. Lockwood:-I am in
receipt of your favor Of Jan. 2s,
and in reply will say. as heretofore
outlined in my letter, there are two
things that must be present under
section 5oSs-a, supplement 1913. in
order that there shall be a violation
OF the law. Tic statute provides:
Whoever engages in any boxing
contest for a prize, reward, or any
thing of value, at which an admis-
sion fee is charged or received.
either directly or indirectly. shall be
fined not exceeding $500 or impris-
onment in the county jail not ex-
ceeding ninety days.
'In other words, there must be
two things present:
II. A prize or reward or some
thing of value given to the men who
put on the exhibition: and.
"2. That those who attend must
pay. either directly or Indirectly ~.
admission fee.
THE proposition as put up to me
! by the Ryan people was that the.
men who put on the exhibition were
not to be paid, and that a regular
athletic club would be formed, and
/ that While there would be some ex-
hibitions put on at the club, and
only members could see it, vet it
would be no different than any 9TH
er privilege about the club, such as
the baths or gym privileges. I do
not believe this would be q violation
Of the law, but a special assessment.
such as suggested in your letter, it
occurs TO me. would be a plain viola
/ ton Of the law. II the men were
paid anything for putting on the ex-
hibition, but unless the men were
paid there Is no violation Of the
law. even If there is a direct admis-
sion fee charged, as understand
| the statute.
! II can not say whether the plan
as actually followed by the Ryan is
! a violation of the law, but I know
! the plan as submitted to me is not
violation. Yours very truly.
H. NJ Havner,
! ~