The Washington times., 1921-06-27
GOVERNOR IS DEAF
TO ARGUMENTS ON
STOPPING BATTLE
Edwards Says He Will Not Con-
slider Plea Of Reform Bureau
Secretary Today.

JERSEY CITY. N. j., June 27.--
Clinton w. Howard, secretary Of the
International Reform Bureau. will
simply waste time by attempting to
stop the Dempsey-Carpsntisr hght.
according to Gov. Edward I. Edwards.
of New Jersey.
"of course, / don't know what he
may have up his sleeve" explained
the governor here today. This ex-
hibition. / can say. win be conducted
strictly according to law. 1 Am sure
of that"
Howard announced In A&iantie City
last night that he intended to seek
an Injunction preventing the bout.
II appears that the International
Reform Bureau sought Federal ac-
tion. but that little success was had
in washington. Because of the close
proximity OF the hght. decision was
reached to come into Jersey and
press matters.
Howard was advised here today
THAT the only court competent to
Issue an INJUNCTION in the State was
the Chancery Court.
I'VE will ask for an injunction on
the ground that the state Boxing
Commission has exceeded it's rights
and authority in supervising q
bloody. knockout fnish pri1ehsht
under the camouhase of a boxing
contest. We Interpret the law as
permitting scientific boxing contests
without having a man knocked out
or physically punished.
Every press report OF prior or
former prize fights indicates the
character of what this bout will be.
The law Is plainly to be violated.
rrx. S~A AL.
to finish one another.
Further, the United states Gov
ernment will be q stakeholder at
the gate while these two intArna-
tionsI human bulldogs seek by force
to obtain physical mastery for the
pugilistic belt OF the world. Under
the Income Tax Law the Govern
ment will participate In the gate re-
ceipts TO the extent of three to
four hundred thousand dollars. ae-
cordins to the advance ticket rev.
enue already announced.
The Supreme Court has already
rendered a decision that the LeGis-
Iature cannot bargain away the pub
lie morals. That the people them
selves cannot do IT, and we deny the
right of the Legislature to confer
upon a commission the right to su-
pervfse an immoral and .demoraliz-
ing exhibition" .t
Howard said that such a decision
was handed down by the Supreme
Court in the contest brought by the
liquor interests to overthrow the
prohibitory law OF Kansas.
The United States Attorney Gen
erals attention has already been
called 20 this fact. and he has also
been requested to see that the law
forbidding Interstate shipment OF
prize night hlms be not violated" con-
tinued Howard. "we have his reply
that the Federal District Attorney for
New Jersey has been notified to see
that no such violation of the Federal
law is permitted"
Howard further said: The Inter
national Reform Bureau Ia not op-
posed to scientific boxing. What we
+. demand IL the enforcement OF the law
prohibiting all Knockout fghts, such
as this ia advertised to be-"
Howard was In Atlantic City today
TO nll a speaking engagement At the
First Baptist Church which he ac-
cepted because II wss convenient to
his trip. Jack Kearns tonight re-
fused TO comment on the matter. re-
ferring inouisitors to Tex Rickard.