New-York tribune., 1920-05-08
Pastor Asks
jury Inquiry
! OF Boxing Bill
Canon Chase Asserts That
Walker Measure Is Scheme
of British Fight Promoters
to Control Game Here
Points ''Joker'' to Smith
Tells Assistant District At
torney Backers Seek to
Show Ring Battle Films

The Walker boxing bill, now awaiting
action by Governor Smith, is scheme
by English fight promoters to monop-
olize the boxing game in America, &C
cording to Canon William Sheafe
Chase, Of Brooklyn, president of the
board Of trustees of the international
Reform Bureau. Canon Chase pre-
sented documentary evidence in sup
port of his charge to James E. Smith.
Assistant District Attorney, yesterday,
and demanded that he be permitted to
submit it to a grand jury.
Section 81 of the Walker bill was
cited by the Clergyman as the "joker"
which would put ccterie of Britishers
in control The section reads:
"The weights and class of boxers and
the rules and regulations of boxing
shall be the same as the weights and
classes and rules and regulations
adopted by the Army. Navy and Civil
ian Board of Boxing Control, Inc, and
the international Sporting Club Of
Greater New York, Inc"
Canon Chase declared that in the
articles of incorporation of the army,
navy and civilian board, it is said one
Of the objects to the organization is
"to adopt methods similar to those
which arc being employed in Great
Britain and which, with the assistance
of the King and other distinguished
persons, have succeeded IN raising the
standard of boxing to higher level"
Says Englishmen Back Bill
". A. Gavin, an Englishman, whose
wife is the daughter of British
earl. is an active agent Of the army,
navy and civilian board, Canon Chase
asserted. Mr.. Gavin's Office is at $40
Madison Avenue.
Canon Chase continued: "It Is a
significant thing that Gavin's name
is not printed anywhere upon the list
of patrons, officers and committees of
the Army, Navy and Civilian Board of
Boxing Control, Inc. Nor did Gavin
bany, although he was present. The
BILL benefits only five men, who are the
controllers of the two clubs, which are
really but one under two different
names.
"The international Sporting Club was
incorporated with only five members.
They are: Gutzon Borglum, r. Breck-
inridge Steele, of Garden City, L. l.;
Alfred L. Marilley, of 20 Nassau Street,
lawyer, who drew the bill; William H.
Dennis. So West Fifty-ninth Street,
ana 1homaS Cohroy, Oh IAo west fl1ty-
ninth Street"
Canon Chase said the real sponsors
of the Walker bill were English pro-
moters interested in the projected
championship fight between Georges
Carpenter and Jack Dempsey. De-
barred by Federal statute from trans
porting films from one state to an
other, he asserted, their aim is to
make it possible to stage the Dempsey
Carpenter battle in New York so that
the moving pictures may be exhibited
before the people Of the largest state
in the Union.
Increase in Violence Seen
'Instead of training young men for
the defence of their country, the pro-
posed law will make New York City
the prize fight center of the world" he
said. at will kill amateur boxing
and increase brutality and violence
among the young. 1t will make gang
sters and thugs. 1t will increase
cruelty and gambling"
Canon Chase has been identified
with many moral crusades in New
York.
Assistant District Attorney Smith
said he would examine the evidence
and if it warranted further investiga-
ton present it to the March grand
jury.