The Washington herald., 1921-06-26
kearns is Goat
OfFistic World
Champs Manager Blamed
For Everything, But Has
No Thoughts of Suicide.
~ PERCY HAMMOND.

ATLANTIC CITY, June 25.-Out-
standing among the purple host
which decorates the boardwalk, en-
livens the big hotels and coIors the
night cafes with loud celebration is
Jack kcarns. who captains the ship
upon which Dempsey sails so con-
fdently.
As the Dempsey prime minister.
kearns is the most abused and
hated man in pugilism. He Is the
patient goat who is blamed by those
who do not like him for all the
errors of the champions career
Dempsey has been caught in Ques
tionable contests? 1t was Kearns'
fault. Dempsey's domestic life has
not possessed the fragrant tran
qutliues which distinguish the
matrimonies of our public men?
Rearns Is responsible. Dempsey did
not 60 to war? Kearns kept him
out. All that ha sgone wrong. is
out. All that has gone wrong, Is
attributed to the malign manager
lie is the George Capricornus OF
the OUTFIT but he bears his troubles
on his back, as the peddler does
his pack. with a semblance Of for
bearance and fortitude.
We ran across Kearns late at
ndght In one OF the glittering board
walk rendezvous where the sports
men set gathers after tiring of the
beauties OF the sea. He Is the
modest center OF a happy party OF
scribes. pugilistic students, players
and dancers and surrounding the
group are a choir of ministries ana
ukulele band. Earlier in the even
~ al
men have bswled him out In a hotel
corridor for having done something
they did not like. and 80 he Is here.
quietly relaxing with music and
laughter. The cafe Is entitled,
happily. the Beaux Arts. The music
mostly Is the aplintive mother
songs" OF the night life.
Since everything about this cos
mic episode is being put into print
from Carpenters dressing gown to
Bull Montana's astounding ears. II
may be all right to speak further
Of hearns. The history of
events like this, it seems, is an
essence of innumerable detail
kearns is in his early thirties. He
Is slim, tanned. very shrewd OF
feature. dressed with considerable
elegance In the rich, dark habili-
ments OF the American sporting
man. For instance his black crepe
scarf Is pinned with a tiny pearl
and his rings are costly, but un-
obtrusive.
As any actor is good il you have
had tea with him and any pugilist
10 a hero If you have hung around
his training camp, so indeed does
kearns become an admirable
fellow after little intimacy,
You are successful man" said I
TO him. between the serenades. You
have climbed the tall tree and found
the ripe fruit: are you happy in
your prize? (The atmosphere OF the
Beaux Arts. you see. Is conducive
to deep reflection and splendid
words.)
Here Is the way I think abo,..
It.. he said. I've come up from
nothing much. I've helped to make
champion. ! have money and I'm
good to my folks. I'd feel fine n
! wasn't knocked So much, but they
tell me that every man who has
done well is abused by the old
friends who haven't. I'll forget all
my troubles next Saturday, after
Dempsey does the job"
kearns told In detail of his
humble beginnings, for like the
character in Congreve, he came
upstairs in the world, having
been born below" He defended
Dempsey's war record with docu-
ments. figures and eloquence, saying
that the champion was patriotic,
brave and eager to 20 to battle. but
he was the victim OF circumstances.
We've all done wrong, / guess"
said he, Il know ! have and so has
Jack. Not more than the average
man. Jack wasn't in the war
though he wanted to be. We have
proved 1t. but lot OF people won't
believe US. So what's the use. We
go along. knowing that we are all
right with ourselves"
plausible chap. Kearns. ana
ere the day breaks we begin to
picture Dempsey at the bugle call
painting to unsheath his sword and
set into the fray.