The New York herald., 1921-11-16
HONEST WRESTLING
OR NONE IN GARDEN
This Is the Dictum Of Rickard
in Deciding to Fight Schem-
ers to q Finish.
by CHARLES f. MATHIsON.

Declaring that John PeselS, whose foul
tactics in his match with Marin Plestina
at Madison Square Garden last Monday
night disgusted the spectators and made
farce OF the contest, was merely tool
in the hands of schemers determined to
rule the wrestling game or kill 1t, Tex
Rickard last night announced he would
fight the plotters to a finish.
"It is as plain as can be-" said the
Garden promoter, that Pesek was the
tool of the crowd that has dominated
the wrestling game for some time past.
They wanted to make a failure of the
first wrestling bouts under the auspices
of the Garden, and they induced Pesek.
who does not seem to be endowed with
any too much intelligence, TO pull their
chestnuts out of the fire. They prob
ably told PeselS the worst he would get
would bo disqualification. Now he is
out of the game in this State in return
for his foolish action, and will be the
greatest sufferer. Those who eggcd him
on are doubtless laughing in their
sleeves.
"There is not the slightest doubt in
the world that Pesek was ribbed up
by the schemers. They got up a story
of lame arm, which he could have
on his merits. The way in which he
used both arms in punching Plestina
disproves the lame arm story. Finding
that he had no chance to defeat Pies
tina on his merits, Pesek then carried
out instructions to lose on foul and
make farce OF the contest.
Nov, just word to the so-called
wrestling trust. The members of that
organization are going to wrestle hon
estly at Madison Square Garden or they
are not going to wrestle anywhere in
this State. I shall insist on honest wrest-
ling or none at all. / have the assur-
ance of Chairman Muldoon of the State
Athletic Commission that he will sps-
tain me in my efforts to compel wres-
tiers to compete on their merits.
Lewis and Zbyszko Next.
II have another important match for
November 49, when Stranger Lewis and
Stanislaus Zbyszko meet in contest.
Contracts have been signed by all con-
cerned and will go on with the bout.
/ will also stage other bouts that have
been planned. If they are on their
merits. we'll and good. If not, the
offenders will get the same dose that
Pesek did"
chairman MuluOOn OF lne COMMISSION
evidently holds the opinion that Pesek
was but tool, for he supplemented the
expulsion of the grappler by revoking
the license OF Larney Lichtenstein,
manager of Pesek. Lichtenstein, al
though several times ordered by Deputy
O'Rourke to instruct Pesek to cease his
foul work, apparently made no effort
to comply with the orders. At any rate.
IL he did caution Pesek the latter paid
not the slightest attention to his
manager.
1t Is a significant fact that several
weeks ago, as soon as Ii became known
that wrestling bouts would be held in
Madison Square Garden, there was a
meeting of n majority of the managers
Of the leading wrestlers. 1t Is asserted
That Pesek was selected at that meeting
to accept a match with Plestina.
AS Il result of the rough treatment
Plestina received at the hands and
head of Pesek. the former has under
gone treatment at the Manhattan Eye
and Ear Hospital.
J.. c. Marsh, manager of Plestina,
who was suspended pending an investi-
CATION of his record. appeared before
the State Athletic Commission yester-
day and made statement In his own
behalf. The case was taken under ad-
vlsement.