The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-01-05

his native land TAR surpaSSeS the
held by the American sporting p
Had Jack availed himself of tn
Americans had during the time I
many he would be the idol, too.
the type which makes a hit with
discounted by his war record. Je
his ring idlcness and his failure
offering his services for the SaI
or any of the other war benefits.
johnson Was Popular.
Jack johnson. although his color
was against him from the start, was
not unpopular until his personal
behavior became obnoxious to the
public. The public appreciates the
superlative ability OF a champion.
but it is exacting also a demand
in character and personality. a
champion must be every inch a man
IL he is going to be an ideal. That
is why France is outbidding Ameri-
can fight promoters for the much
talked OF match between Carpenter
and Dempsey for the world heavy
weight championship.
Boost for boxing.
II the colleges of this country act
upon the recommendation OF the
National Collegiate Association AMI
adopt boxing as a major sport there
is no doubt that the science OF self
defense will get a boom such as it
has not enjoyed in years. The
plan to have uniform rules adopted
to eliminate all Objectionable, fea-
lures of the professional sport and
to conduct boxing as a part of the
physical education of college ath-
letes.
The training of Uncle Sans SOL
diers during the late war brought
boxing prominently to the front and
1t looks as If this latest move by
the college men would prove an
other step in placing the pastime
on the highest pinnacle of popu-
larity.
.Dead or Alive,
Our friend Earl Dorsey, who knows
all things in the movie and theatrical
world gave Us an earful yesterday
in reference to Jack Dempsey's new
picture. 1t develops that the film upon
which Champion Jack Dempsey is now
working is to be called Dead or
Alive"
Dmpsey Is cast in the role of a
young college athlete who is working
his way through school. The act on
begins in a college town in the East
and is carried to the Western country
that gave the hard-hitting champion
to an admiring world.
Benay VIII Battle.
Benny Leonard has made a New
Year resolution. That is II the word
of Billy Gibson can be taken for any
thing. but when Billy says the word
1t is just as strong as the emphasis
placed upon Uncle Sans Liberty
bonds.
That's what think of Bnly's word
In reference to anything in the fight
line. that he has occasion to say.
About the time Leonard won the title
from Freddy Welsh, the twenty-rotrnd
game went to the boards on the Paci-
fic. at that time the home OF the long
distance game. The scarcity OF good
talent among the light-weights since
then kept Leonard from New Orleans,
where Domick Tortorich Is allowed to
stage route battles.
Ten rounds seem to have been long
enough for Benny to dispose OF his
opponents in most of his battles to
date, but since boxing has taken a
boom all over the country Of late the
champion intends to meet all eomers
over any distance after his bout wit
Johnny Dundee in New Haven on
January 16, providing he is successful
in winning from the Scotch wop.
Leagues VIII Meet. ..
A joint meeting of the American
and National leagues for the pur-
pose of formulating plans for the
coming season which means the
adoption OF the schedules and 80
on will be held In the near future,
and In all probability. IN tho home
stamping grounds OF Ban J. John
son.
just what is going to happen In
baseball is not certain except that
it will be banner year for the
game IL all interest Is not killed
off by the wrangiinE OF tho club
owners who threaten law suits In
defending their so-called rights
and by the players. already we'll
paid, demanding even more money.
From early reports II looks as
II some of the clubs will expert
ence more than usual trouble In
signing their star players whose
contracts have expired. Several
years ago 1t was not uncommon
for the club owners to give their
better players long-tcrm contracts.
but when there were Indications
that lean years were ahead, the
custom died out. SO Ut present
there are only a few players who
are still under contract. The
others are held by the reserve
rule and must be resigned. Be-
cause the clubs prospered last
season. and because II costs Us
much as ever or even a little more
to live these days. the players
are threatening TO demand larger
salaries.
Some have already done SO. Ball
players. like the boxers. have q
disposition to want II all, but there
Is always a limit. The old game
will stand Just so much and It Is
well for the ball players and box
erS to remember that thev mad