The New York herald., 1921-12-04
Bnrglum's Threatened Cam
paign Against Walker Law
Fails to Alarm Patrons.
UPSET By CLUBS TROUBLE
Benz, 'conard in Role OF Die
tator Sharply Challenges At
tcntion of Commission.
ny CHARLES F. MATHIsoN.

Gutzon Borgiun,. president OF the
reorganized international Sporting
Club. apparently holds the opinion
that unless the club he represents is
70 have much to say regarding the
future OF boxing the sport may as
well be abolished. Mr.. Borglun states
his position in the following words:
stated last night. and reiterate
that statement. that if the original
plans for elevating and governing
boxing by law and license, con-
trolled as it is by the splendid COM
mission that is to-day administer
ing the law, are not to be con-
tinued with the aid of the large in
fiuence that lies in the body OF the
membership Of the international
Sporting Club, which framed the
law and did SO much for its passage,
shall be the first to lead move
ment TO repeal the law and sup
press II, because as an enterprise
where large purses and reels, rather
than rounds. govern the duration
OF a bout it can only degenerate TO
a coclsfght or an occupation Oh
sordid commercialism.
Gavin Responsible.
In this singular arra.gnment of box.
ing Mr.. Borgium appeared to be pos
sessed of the belief that as the inter-
national Sporting Club was largely
Instrumental IN bringing about the
massage OF the Walker law the cluo
would be justified in an attempt to wipe
the statute off the books.
II is true that the International Sport
ing Club was a potent factor in the
ps ssaee of the Walker law. but at tne
time Senator Walkers measure was pe-
fore the Legislature William =. Gavin
was the dominant personality in thc
club and Il was due to his genius Tor
orranlzation and his astonishing re-
sourcefuness and ingenuity that the Dill
became law.
Senator Walker, who exerted pow
erfu, influence In behalf OF the law tina,
hears his name. has publicly admitted
that had II not been for the remarkaoie
efforts of Gavin the bill would PROBABLY
have been beaten.
Under the circumstances, would 1t not
be advisable for President Borsium'
previous to launching crusade against
the Walker law to ascertain The senti-
ments of Mr. Gavin on the subject Al
Mr. Gavin attributes his troubles ana
exile 10 England 10 the walker law ho
may possibly he justified In working tor
It's repeal And IL Gavin were IN New
York and started an anti-boxlns ihoNe,
ment the patrons OF the sport "ou'u
have something 20 worry about.
So far as threats by any OF the present
oSficials OF the International sporting
Tluh are concerned they will not cause
,ouch uneasiness in boxing circles as
thev are due largely to irritation over
the plight In which the members una
themselves For this unfortunate situa
tion the incorporators and officials, the
list of whom included Mr.. Borgium, are
entirely to blame.
These officials turned over the inter
national Sporting Club from foundation
m cunola 10 William A. Gavin. The
rzar OF Russia never had more despocc
mowers than Gavin had as managing di-
rector of the International sporting
Club. Not q move was made TIL ne
nodded his head.
The incorporators are now displeaseo
with his stewardship and threaten 10
make an attack on the sport OF boxing.
AS we'll might baseball promoter
whose investment. due to inefficient man
agcment. resulted in financial loss at
tempt to have the sport Of the diamond
1nterdicted.
A racetrack owner might be justified,
according to the Borglum idea. in an
effort to kill racing because his track
had not been success
In fact unsuccessful promoters OF any
branch OF sport would naturally try TO
have IL killed. If successful In their
efforts TO eliminate an Improbable
branch of sport other promoters would
necessarily be injured. But that would
not matter to the indignant promoters
who had scored failures.
II would appear to be a common sense
procedure for the officials Of the Inter-
national Sporting Club to take up the
task OF reorganization and complete IL.
II Gavin was responsible for the present
dilemma they should have compelled him
before he sailed for England to explain
and make amends or take the conse-
quenees.
Applying epithets to man 5000
miles away will not do him any par
ticular harm and will not 90 the club
any good. The members of the club
who contributed three-auarters OF a mil
lion dollars OH promises or 81 splendid
club house have a real grievance. Yet
unless the present officials can discover
the whereabouts OF these funds. furnish
reasonable explanation as TO their dis
posal. or an effective method or re-
covery, Il does not appear that impas-
stoned dcnunciation OF boxing will I'm.
prove present conditions
Leonard ms Dictator.
when Benny Leonard refused TO box
George Ward ten rounds TO decision