The Washington times., 1921-06-30


1t was established that he registered,
for the draft in due order. and was
placed in class 4. This classification
was the act OF the registry officer,
who did not know Dempsey. At that
time Jack was an unimportant atom
in the fstic world.
Officers from the naval station at
the Great Lakes were on hand to tes-
tify at the trial that subsequent to
his registration for the draft Demp-
sey had arranged to enlist In the
navy. but before his papers had been
Strengthened out the armistice was
signed.
At the time he registered in San
Francisco, Dempsey was supporting
his mother and father, and most of
the rest of his family. They were
then living in a state approaching
downright penury. Thousands of
other young men were confronted by
similar situations when the war came
on
HE WAS A VICTIM.
1t Is not necessary to 60 behind the
court record to hnd defense or apol-
ogy for Dempsey. The testimony on
which he was acquitted proved that
he was a victim of singular circum-
stances.
II was not until seven months after
he won the championship that any
effort was made to prove him a
Stacker" During the war there was
some criticism leveied at Jess Willard.
then the champion. while Dempsey
who had commenced TO make little
reputation. was being extolled for his
patriotic efforts In the way Of raising
money for the soldiers.
Had he desired Dempsey might
AaaiIv have sernred n pnsftiOn a a
boxing Instructor. Many other pro-
fessional pugilists dropped into these
positions in the army. With such q
berth open to him, IL ie hardly rea-
sonable to assume that Dempsey was
deliberately ducking service
He hop-scotched all over America
during the war. giving boxing exhi-
bitons He went from Brooklyn to the
Pacific coast couple of times, spend
ing his own money. and raising hum
dreds of thousands OF dollars.
BEGAN OVER AGAIN.
( Once he went to San Francisco TO
to box with Willie Meehan at benefit
for the soldiers, and to make the
show more attractive. he agreed to a
decision. The decision was given
against him, and Dempsey had to stat
all over again to re-establish his
reputation
was present in Los Angeles when
Dempsey appeared as the star at
traction of field day given for the
benefit Of mon disabled In the war,
He wrestied with Bull" Montana, and
boxed with Lee Moore, a former Pa
cific coast lightweight OF some note.
saw one of the officials OF the
organization of disabled veterans give
Dempsey a gold button emblematic
OF honorary membership, and heard
another official make a speech IN
which he praised Dsmpsey's efforts
for the soldiers during the war.
Now, then. the members of the
organization which thus accep'i
Dempsey as an Nr-~rsry brother
must certainly believe that the
champions war reccrd IS perfectly
straight and they are most certainlv
more familiar with the circumsts ,ss
than some of the persons who have
been so free with their charges tf
slackerism.
At one time Dempsey was the VIC
tim of what amounted to an organ
ized campaign. IL must be apparent
to any fair-minded American that
singing out an individual who had
registered and been duly classified for
the draft, and calling him a "slacker.-
was carrying matters a bit to far.
whatever his position In life.
WAS NOT GUILTY.
Had he failed 10 register, or had ne
failed to respond TO his summons. or
attempted in any way to dodge his
duty as an American citizen. he
would be open to criticism and pun
ishment. but the San Francisco jury,
hearing every morsel of evidence that
could be produced. said Dempsey was
not guilty.
nunciation OF the champion have been
printed. Thousands of violently
abusive letters have been written TO
him. Yet Dempsey has rarely com
mented on his troubles.
Early In his career. Jack vas mar