New-York tribune., 1921-04-05
Governor Asks
Sports Writers
To Give Views
Miller Invites Scribes 10
Conference Thursday; Pro
fessional Games OH Grill

Governor Miller has invited the
sports writer's Of the Empire State to
meet him IN conference at the
Capitol next Thursday at high noon
He hopes, from the general informa-
tion vouchsafed by the writer's, to ar
rive at some definite policy in the gov
crnment and control of professional
sports.
Various rumors have come out Of Al
hany Of late as to what the Executive
intended to do. We have been told
he planned one commission to govern
all "pro" sports racing, baseball,
wrestling. boxing, etc. In the same
breath came denial Of such a scheme.
We also have been told that nothing
whatever would be done at this time
except to install q new boxing commits
sion, which would have control over
wrestling as we'll.
The upsnot of the matter seems to
be that the Governor hasn't made up
his mind on any point-hasn't even
given sports tumble, so to speak, as
yet. If he had he wouldn't be inviting
the sports writer's to offer counsel
The sports writer's who have time
to make the trip can offer Governor
Miller some sound advice. They can
tell him, for one thing, that there are
certain professional games which can
never mix. They can tell him COM
mon administration for racing and for
baseball would never do, as the sports
are diametrically opposed Thorough
bred racing's bone and sinew is pro
fessional betting-profess ssional gam
bling, If you will. Professional gam
bling, or. rather professional gamblers
almost succeeded in handing profes-
sional baseball the knockout blow be-
fore Judge Lands was prevailed upon
to save this national institution.
Lands Works Wonders
The sports writers, if they are sin
cere, viii point out 20 Governor Miller
the delicate situation in which Com
missioner Lands finds himself and OF
the marvels toward regeneration he
has effected in few short months OF
Office. They will prevail upon him
not to place the national game in tho
hands of any possible political cabal
at least not while such capable Moses
as Lands is making astounding forced
marches out of the Wilderness
There is nothing radically wrong
with the state boxing law. Whatevel
fault can be found must be laid at the
doors of the administrators Tex Rick
ard, in Madison Square Garden, has
proved how clesnly The sport can be
conducted under the existing law. Anc
not only that, but the great popularit,
Of the game as we'll. Whatever refor.
nation is required concerns the fra
ternity and not the code. Whatever
few grievances have been inflicted re
suited invariably either from the in
competency Of the commission or it!
licensed representatives..
But what IS one to expect of Solons
who go butterfly chasing? Of oficial
who tolerate striking incoMpetency OF
the part Of judges and referees O.
officials who make fish of fourth rater
and fowl of champions? Certainly
Johnny Wilson was foul enough il
his bout with O'Dowd, and the stiff
necked commission made a fish O
Mike, thus running to past form Blu
very concerned public patiently
awaits the proper answer.
Whether salaried or unsalaried, pro
fessional boxing needs certain initia
tive on the part OF its sponsors. No
the sort Of initiative that rules tn,
dub with hand OF iron and winhs a
the transgressions of the cham on
Those in control Of boxing should b'
thoroughly versed in boxing Their,
might be no great objection TO placing
wrestling under control of the boxins
commission provided the boxing com
mission was conversant with the in
tricacies Of the mat game.
AS to baseball and racing under on,
tent-fe, for shame, at the very idea