New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-21
Canon Chase
I'm Clash Over
Boxing Bill
Father White, Catholic Rec
rcation Director, Rescnts
the Charge That the Ill
dOrscrs Were Tricked
Biddle's Words Attacked
Brooklyn Pastor Says the
Measure Is Wanted by the
''Sordid Sporting World'

Sptttut hfHpu'tH 10 iHC iFtUNNr
ALBANY, May 20.--Canon William
S. Chase, of Brooklyn. representing the
Civic League, and the Rev. John f.
White, director Of recreational educa-
ton Of the Roman Catholic Archdio-
cese of New York, engaged to-day in
one-round, no-decision bout at the
hearing before Governor Smith on the
Walker boxing bill.
Canon Chase, who. with representa-
tives of the Women's Christian Tenn
perance Union, appeared against the
measure, which permits 15-pound de-
cision bouts, declared that clergymen
had been fooled into believing the bill
desirable measure. He charged that
it is merely intended to pave the way
for making New York the prize fight
center Of the world"
Father White took exception to the
assertion that the clercymen, about
nine hundred in all, who have endorsed
the measure, had been tricked.
81 object to being told that I have
been fooled concerning this bill. am
able to think for myself"
Governor Smith gave ample indica-
ton to sustain the belief he will APP
prove the measure After Canon Chase
bill Governor Smith inQuired:
Rule Called Subterfuge
Il would like you to show me how
anything YOU complained about cannot
happen under the present laws as re-
Garding boxing"
Canon Chase's chief objection to the
measure was that it paves the way for
prize fights rather than mere boxing
matches He opposed the charging Of
admlS ion.
"What is the difference" asked Gov
ernor Smith, "between an admission fee
and membership charge, as is now
She custom -
"Well,' Canon Chase replied, chat
membership fec is merely sub
terfugc"
"True' admitted the Governor. But
we must not forget that the courts
have held that the system of making
man a member Of boxing club and
having him pay his membership fee be-
fore entering a club to see bout has
been held as legal
AT one time it appeared as if the
hearing might become n personal con-
test between Canon Chase and An
thony j. DreXel Biddle. one Of the
prime organizers Of the Army. Navy
and Civilian Board of Boxing Control
which is the governing influence be
hind the Walker bill
Canon Chase, who earlier in the
hearing charged that the promoters of
the bill had resorted to crooked"
methods, declared that Mr.. Biddle had
with that OF liar" through the issu-
ance of statement in which Mr. Bid
die gave the lie to assertions made by
Canon Chase.
81 challenge that statement" de-
clared Canon Chase, turning toward
Mr.. Biddle II can hardly believe that
YOU made it, but l: would like an eN
planation."
Biddle Admits Statement
Major Biddle admitted he made the
statement, but said that if Canon
Chase wanted to enter into a per
sonal discussion it would have to be
at some other time and place.
Canon Chase characterized the meas
ure as one wanted by "the underworld
gangsters. gamblers, part Of the sordid
sporting world and by certain politi-
| clans.
William II. Bal Of the International
y. NJ. c. A., declared the bill restores
all the brutality Of the ring
Mrs. Frances ". Graham, of Lock
port; Mrs. d. L. Calvin, of New York,
and Mrs. Mary Wood, Of Ithaca, repre-
scnting the ". c. T. T., also appeared
against the bill.
The Rev. B. W. r. Taylor. Of St..
Georges Episcopal Church. Schenec-
tady, declared that those who opposed
the Walker boxing bill ARE in state
OF mind tending TO show they belong
to school of thought marking them
as residuary legatees of the standards
of the old Puritan days He laughed
at the objections to the fifteen rounds
provision, declaring that in his college
days he stood seventeen rounds and
was "here to tell the talcN