Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-05-27
NEW YORK BOXING
BILL is NOW LAW
Gov. smith Signs Measure Restoring
Legal Stntus of Professional Bouts

Albany N. Y, May 2.-Professional
boxing was restored to legal status in
New York State to-day when Governor
Smith signed the Walker bill to regulate
the sport and 70 provide for the appoint
ment of State Athletic Commission.
The stress of the times demands
healthy and wholesome amusement for
the men Of the State the governor de-
clared in a memorandum accompanying
The bill. land when an amusement can be
pfforded, under such rigid restrictions
and control by the state itself as this
bill provides. no possible harm. and on
the other hand a great amount of good,
ran and will result from its enactment"
"In some quarters" the governor said
''there appears to be pretty general
misunderstanding of all'the circumstances
Surrounding boxing or a sparrlng match
There is nothing in the law of the State
to prevent boxing or sparring matches, hut
fhe law does provide that no admission can
be charged. nor can they be open to the
general public. but are supposed to be
conducted under the auspices of private
membership corporations The real truth
about the matter is that the purpose and
intent of that law is being evaded by per-
uniting any person, upon becoming
member of such an organization to wit
ness the match. the dues paid for MEM
UeTSNlp ldklllS llIt bloNt VI 'i'D
fee: and this is going on absolutely with
out any regulation of any kind by the
State
at is urged by those opposed to the
bill that it may give rise to abuses which
they felt came into being under pre-
vious legislative enactments for the con-
troll of this sport. No bill could be more
carefully drawn to safeguard the sport
from those who would use it for profit
only than the one before me. The pro-
posed bill provides for licensing everyone
identified with the sport Of boxing and
sparring, no matter how far removed
from the actual participation. and leaves
to the State the power to deal with them
by withdrawal of the license where their
conduct is such as not to promote the
welfare of this form of amusement. No
license can be issued to any but bona
fde corporation which shall have given
a bond and which must either own a
building or have a lease thereon for a
term of not less than one year. In this
respect the proposed bill differs from the
old law, and will have for its purpose the
disbursement of ny-by-night organiza-
lions whose control would be in the hands
of irresponsible promoters.
1.-THE bill contains a provision for an
unpaid board of license, thereby lifting
that important feature from the sole
control of the board of commissioners
whose duties it will be to administer the
law
Under this bill the sport is further
safeguarded by preventing, directly oil
Indirectly, any corporation from having
any interest in competitor on the
premises of that corporation
1.-The bill was opposed by very small
group, while on the other hand, it has
90 h.
Legislature and of the American Legion
and over a thousand clergymen of al
denomina tions. who might be expected
if this bill did not deal clearly with {
legitimate sport, to oppose it, have writ
ten me urging my signature"