The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-20
When John L. Sullivan Met
Mike Donovan
Mike Donovan who taught Theodore Roosevelt to box
tried to teach him told this story:
Suggestions by Lewis l.. Clarke, Wifred w. Fry and
Mr. Coolidge, Next Vice President.

Mike Donovan, who taught Theodore Roosevelt to box
or tried to teach him, told this story:
81 got this broken nose in queer way was
matched to fight for the lightweight championship and
went to Boston to make little money before my big
fight They wanted me to knock out strong young
'chopping block that they had selected
"When got there l the 'chopping block and
didn't like his looks. He hack driver eighteen
years old, with eye that went right through you.
said to him: Young fellow, matched for inn
portant fight and wouldn't break that little finger
you for thousand dollars. Don't try to get gay when
we box and will bring YOU to New York and teach
You to fight
''The eighteen year-od hack driver replied, al
though he knew was a champion: If you get in that
ring with me you'll DO lucky if don't break your
neck
''He didn't break my neck and WAS lucky
kept him away from long as l could. He knew
nothing about boxing. But he swung his arm like
cub hit the back between the shoulders knocked
me on the floor face downward, and gave me that
broken nose
The young hack driver of the story was John L. Sui
van just beginning to fight He beat many because
lie started out CONVINCED THAT HE GOULD BEAT
THEM
This country talks about hard times, and hard times
often to be champion But the who says hard
times: You're lucky If don't break your back is apt
to win the fight
Your attention, big business and little people, is
invited to suggestions by three
WILFRED w. FRY, of Philadelphia, brings this good
suggestion:
"Let us have Keep your word week. and kill
off, before really begins the canceng of orders that
iure business discourage industry and deprive work
of their jobs
"There is an excuse for almost everything, but not
for breaking your word if you able to keep it, The
who looks up from his desk after going through
unpleasat figures and says to himself: L will just
cancel my orders and coast along for while, is the
best friend that hard times could have.'
Mr. Fry suggests . week of publicity and campaigning
following Thanksgiving Day, keep your word cam
pagn to sten up the moral industrial and business back
bone of the country.
It is first class idea The who has ordered goods
and pretext of hard times rshes in his cancellations
the friend of hard times the enemy of good times, the
demoraixer Of business.
Mr. Coolidge next Vice President may not have heard
OF Mr. Fys suggestion but he gives endorsement in
letter to the Boston Boot and Shoe Club.
''It is not always possible for to meet obliga
tons. No complain of that, but there to
be great tendency to avoid obligations that could be
met, with result that is demoralizing to everybody
'This is especially true in the matter of cancela-
ton Of orders. If person is allowed to cancel it
means that everyone must have the same advantage,
which throws the entire trade into confusion and
suits in a great deal of loss of which would hap
pen probably if such cancellations were not allowed"
Governor Coolidge will have the help Of every good
business in fighting the little individual panics and
lodgings that unchecked might lead to REAL panic and
real disaster.
What the country needs is to whom keeping their
word and living up to their promises is important
than the temporary question Of profit or loss.
LEWIS L. CLARKE, president Of the American Ex.
change National Bank one Of the biggest in the country
puts into few words suggestions that recommended to
every business Bank presidents win note the state
ment that on behalf of his bank he would gladly welcome
a reduction Of interest rates.