New-York tribune., 1920-02-18
Hearing Brings
To Front Only
Two Opponents
One Finally Convinced of
Sponsors Sincerity; Gen.
Organ Favors Ring Sport
From a staff Coyyespend-,t

ALBANY, Feb. 17.-The Walker bill
10 restore legalized boxing in this state
under a commission of three members
will be favorably reported by the SEN
ate Judiciary Committee, either in it's
present form or with some slight
amendments. Senator Alvah II. Bur
linrsme Of Brooklyn, the chairman. at
the hearing on the bill this afternoon
said that it was the intention Of the
committee to go over it's provisions and
10 consider carefully all the objections
with view of correcting the measure
The only opposition was voiced by
George H. West, of this city, represent
irr the New York State Civic League.
and Canon Chase. OF Brooklyn, who
smoke for the board Of directors of the
International Reform Bureau, of Wash
ington. Both declared that they were
mot opposed to boxing. but objected to
legalizing the charging of admissions
to boxing exhibitions. They expressed
the belief that this would not only
commercialize, but brutalize. the sport.
The advocates of the bill. including
Senator Walker. Gutzon Borglum and
Major Anthony Dreyel l.. Biddle, how
ever. presented such convincing argu-
uents. showing the safeguards in the
measure and the necessity of charging
admission fees in order to support the
snort. that Canon Chase asked the COM
r;ttee 70 withhold its decision until
he had had an opportunity to confer
with leaders In y. NJ. C. A. athletics.
He said he felt assured Of the sim
cerity Of those backing the bill.
Nationwide Movement
Alfred Marillery, attorney for the
Army. Navy and Civilian Board Of Box
INC Control, which is responsible for
posed legislation is part of a nation
vide movement. and that the measure
would be introduced in the Legislature
Of every state in the Union.
"Ne tried TO find some way" he said,
"of keeping out the rottenness that had
entered into the game in the past, and
We. think that the licnsing provision is
the solution. Under the bill every
body connected with the boxing ex-
hib..ious VIII be licensed. The board
thinks that boxing has come to stay,
hrt that it must have government con-
trol"
Senator Walker declared that his
bill VII make the abuses which had
entered the boxing game in the past
Impossible u the future.
''ic viii regulate boxing" he said,
80 that it VIII be a high class, self
respecting sport, which the American
people love-
When Canon Chase complained that
tae bill would commercialize the sport
Senator Walker asked him if he did not
know that boxing was now being car
red Gil IN this state under the "both-
members -of-this-c club" subterfuge.
When you find conditions OF that
sort" he asked, "is il not better to
have 1t under control ?"
No Commercial Interests
West expressed the opinion that one
Of the purposes of the bid was to en-
sble the Carpeutier Dempsey fight to
he held III New York City, and he
asked who is behind this measure.
ITS my opinion that the moving
picture men are.' he said. Gutzon
Borslum took him up on this state
mert.
West he said, Estates that he
doesn't know who is back Of this bill.
J 90. And know that there are no
commercial interests behind it,"
Borgium then read list of some Of
the most prominent public, profes-
sional business and army and navy
men IN the country, including the late
President Roosevelt, who backed the
Boxing Board of Control.
Major Biddle told of the beneficial
results of boxing exhibitions in the
army. He was an instructor of boxing
in the Marine Corps. and said that the
manly art was extensively fostered in
the Bible class movement which he
started, and which now has 100000
members throughout the country.
The spirit Of boxing" he said, "won
the war and We want to instill it in
the Coming generation. 1t must be
lega1lzed to purify 1t"
Uphold Admission Fees
Major Blddle said he could see no
difference between paying boxers and
paying opera singers, and that some
human effort. In answer to the OBJ
jections of West and Chase to the
charging Of admission fees, Senator
Salvatore 4. Cotillo and other mem
bers Of the Judiciary Committee de-
ccared that admission fees are charged
for football games and. in fact, for
most school athletic exhibitions, else
lhere would be no means of paying
the expenses.
Colonel Ward appeared in behalf Of
Major General Organ, who, he said,
strongly favored boxing when properly
s. guarded. and is for the Walker bill.
Assemblyman Henry Baum, of Queens,
announced at the hearing that he had
fror l.. .,c III ~f
the Walker bill. but Assemblyman
Harvey j. Ross, of Kings, who has also
ntrod seed a boxing bill, opposed some
Of tie provisions Of the Walker