The New York herald., 1921-12-19
SPORTS ALLIANCE
NOT ANTI-RICKARD
Hostility to Garden Ring Pro-
moter Is Denied at
Meeting.
GIBSON WON'T EXPLAIN
Silent on Reason for Refusing
to Let Leonard Box
for Tex.
GIBSON WON'T EXPLAIN

AT meeting of the newly organized
National Sports Alliance in the Lex
ington Avenue Opera House yester-
lay afternoon 1t was stoutly denied by
boxing managers and others that the
movement was the result of under
ground hostility or even jealously di-
lected at Tex Rlckard.
Billy Gibson, manager of Benny
Leonard, lightweight champion of the
world, who presided. declared that any
Inference which might exist between
himself and Rickard had nothing to
do with the forming of the National
Sports Alliance or its future activities.
He said that the sole purpose of the
organization was to ''uplift boxing
throughout the United States and put
II on the highest possible plane to-
gether with other sports of profess
sional nature"
Just what the real trouble is between
Eickard and Gibson cannot be stated at
this time. but Leonard's manager has
declared that the lightweight champion
cannot box for Ricl1ard under any cir
cumstances. For some time other well
known champions and boxers have re-
fused to appear in bouts in Madison
square Garden.
VIII Enlist Commission Aid.
State Senator James Walker, who at
tended tho meeting, James Buckley,
Charley and Harvey and Billy wellman
We're appointed a special committee to
call upon the New York State Boxing
Commission some day this week to lay
before that body the scope and plans of
the National Sports Alliance, together
with its constitution and bylaws, which
have not yet been adopted.
Senator Walker, sponsor of the present
boxing law, informed the hundred pro-
motors and fighters or boxers In the
assemblage that Rickard is a wonder
ful success and is renderis- a most cred
table public service in the way he runs
the bouts at the Garden.
"Rickard is running a boxing club
that gives good entertainment, and that
is whit the fans want" said Senator
Walker "You can go into the Garden
at any time during a bout and get
good, clean seat Both Gibson and
Rickard are perfectly capable Of taking
care of their own business. 1t is
sin to fool oneself"
Unite "for n Square Deal" -
An amendent to the proposed consti-
tuition was unanimously adopted saying
that it should be the purpose of the
National Sports Alliance to unite into
one organization to better conditions in
every branch of professional sport
throughout the United States for a
1ati -
ing"
At the opening of the session. Gibson
announced that the following member
shT, committee had been selected: James
Buckley, chairman; George Bothner,
George Lawrence, Dick Butler. Franz
Bagley and Willie Lewis. For the press
committee. Ray Campbell, Joe Woodman,
Scotty Montieth. Harry Lenny. Robert
Levy and Lorenz Carlino, former Assis-
tant District Attorney of New York
county, were named.
There have been published reports
that the State Boxing Commission has
nisgivings as to the real purpose of the
new organization headed by Gibson. and
wish to find out why Leonard will not
box in the Garden, where Rickard has
offered him so per cent. of the gate
receipts for a match.
senator walker Strong For 1t.
'I do not believe the commission has
n1isgivings about this infant organiza-
tion," said Senator Walker on being
introduced by Gibson. II heartily in
dorse the purposes of this organization
and L shall be glad to go before the
Boxing Commission in furtherance Of
Your interests. Your critics Of to-day.
and there are many. owing to lack of
understanding, perhaps, can be made
your best supporters in the future IL
this organization is conducted along
broad and sincere lines Performances
count and not mere words"
Scotty Montieth was then given the
floor after Gibson had asked any men,
ber to speak out his mind. Scotty said
he wanted to be whitewashed of the
charge that he was trying to undermine
Leo =. Flynn, matchmaker for Richard.
He declared Flynn had told him three
or four members of the National Sports
Alliance had informed Richards match
maker that Scotty had said so.
IL demand that Flynn be brought
here to explain this" shouted Buckley.
~ offer a resolution to this effect and
demand that action be taken
"Scotty Jim and / have been accused
of interfering with Richard" said Glib !
son. Eight years ago. when I was
manager of the Garden, I proposed the
forming OF a national organization. II
] were to ask action on everything that
Is being said about me we wouldn't do
any business for some time to come
Mr.. Flynn. am very glad to say. is
u member of this organization as a d.
rector. We wrote RicSard TO come into
the fold. but never have received a reply.
The purpose of the National Sports Al |
lance is to lay bricks. and not to throw
bricks"
At this point Senator Walker arose
and paid compliments TO Richard and
asked Buckley. for the sake of har-
mony, TO withdraw the resolution, which
was adhered to.
After the adjournment AIcKettrick
announced that he had received tele-
gram from Jack Dempsey. heavyweight
champion. and his manager, Jack
J<earns, stating they had sent in their
applications for membership.