The New York herald., 1921-04-12
CHAIRMAN BOXING
BOARD STEPS DOWN
Joseph johnson Sends Resig-
nation and Complaint to
Gov. Miller.
DEFENDS THE COMMISSION
Organizer Gavin of /. s. G..
Intercedes for Board and
Rules.
DEFENDS THE COMMISSION
BY CHARLES r. MArHIsoN.


Joseph johnson. chairman Of the New
York State Boxing Commission. having
deciphered the handwriting on the wall
indicating the removal OF the present
the appointment OF their successors by
Gov. Miller. has decided to step aside
without any Gubernatorial assistance
Therefore. Mr.. Johnson has sent his
resignation to Gov. Miller. and Will per-
NIT his colleagues to bear the brunt or
battle till such time az the official gull
lotine begins operations.
In announcing his retirement from
the commission, Mr.. Johnson assures
the Governor he is not running away
from his colleagues In Tight. and then
finds fault with the Governor for lean
ing toward non-salaried commission.
AS matter OF fact, the Brundage,S ,Simp-
son bill, while providing for a commits
sion of non-salaried members, also calls
for working staff OF salaried deputies.
In this respect it does not differ from
the present body. which is composed OF
three salaried commissioners and three
unsalaried members of the License Com
mittee.
After charging that politics is at the
commission, Mr.. Johnson proceeds to
declare that the present commission have
freed the sport from gambling ana
placed 1t on a high plane.
Judging from riotous scenes In several
clubs recently, In which boxers and
referees were attacked by men with
wagers on losers. the gambling evil has
not even been scratched.
There is no doubt that the commission
No. hfIt ka
handicapped by lack of expert knowl-
edge on the part of its members.
Overlooked Wilson'S Foul Blows.
When the members Of the commission
were informed that Mike O'Dowd. who
according to the commissions medical
expert. was physically sound preceding
his bout with Johnny Wilson and thirty
six hours later underwent an operation
for hernia. due to Wilson's low blows,
they completely ignored the facts and
took no action. A score Of reputable
men stood ready to testify that Wilson
hit many foul blows, but the commits
zion failed to hold q hearing. which has
been It's custom in the case of minor
offenders.
The present boxing law Is so compre-
hensive end the boxing rules are 20 CONF
plete that no commission. without refer
ence to experience. could 20 wrong If IL
enforced the rules. II new commits
sion seeks TO make reputation by pun
fishing small offenders rand permitting
prominent violators to go scot free, It
also should be removed.
On the heels OF Mr.. Johnson's resig-
nation William A. Gavin. vice-president
OF the International Sporting Club. sent
an open letter to Gov. Miller recon-
monding that the personnel OF the com
mission be permitted to remain un-
changed and the rules and regulations
OF the sport retained without amend
ment or alteration.
Mr. Gavin's Letter.
In explaining the attitude Of the In
ternational Sporting Club Mr.. Gavin
writes
TN view Of the fact that the rules OF
the International Sporting Club are en-
bodied In the law which the commits
sioners are appointed to administer, and
that the bill was drafted by this organi-
zation. we feel that we might have been
consulted as to the correct application
OF the rules and the proper inte-preta-
tion of the law. We also felt that when
the Governors of nine-tenths Of the
States of America where boxing Is legal
the formation OF union to govern box
Ing, as all other sports are gov
erned, our commissioners would have
eagerly embraced the opportunity of
Joining such a union, and shared with
us the pride that we felt In having been
the instruments in bringing about so
important a movement
The commissioners have made mis-
takes In this and in other matters. II
new men replaced them we could start
atresh, and with manifest advantages
'The commissioners have on the whole
been seen, Jealous and capable in the
discharge OF their duties. and az all
times inflexibly honest They have
demonstrated beyond all question thet
under proper direction and control bo--
Ing in New York can be as clean and
reputable MS any other branch Of sport
Under these circumstances IL would
undo great deal OF the good that
has been done IL q charge were made
now. and we respectfully recommend
that the personnel OF the commission be
allowed to remain unchanged and the
rules and regulations now governing the
sport be retained without alterations or
amendment"