The New York herald., 1922-10-23
MULDOON WARNS
RING OFFICIALS
Instructs Them to Keep Aloof
From Spectators and Main
tain Silence.


Following his notification to certain
clubs that a continuance of disordarly
scenes during the bouts was likely to re-
suit in the suspension of licenses (Which
warning had salutary effect). Chair
man William Muldoon Is now giving his
attention to the general demeanor OF
judges, referees and other officials con-
nected with the sport of boxing.
Mr.. Muldoon recently started an In
vestigation, as result of which he
learned that referees and judges have
been accustomed to indulge In familiar
conversations with various persons pre-
vious to ring time. Boxers, seconds,
betting men and others have been seen
in familiar chats with referees and
judges, and in order to put stop to
the practice the chairman sent COM
munication to all officials in the state.
In this notification Mr.. Muldoon forbade
referees and judges to talk to any one
during the time they are waiting for
the call TO the ring. Referees and judges
are also forbidden to talk from the ring
with spectators. In fact. referees and
judges are instructed TO keep aloof from
spectators, boxers managers or seconds,
and not have converse with any one
from the time they enter club until the
bouts are ended.
1t Is not difficult to understand Mr..
Muldoon's object. He simply seeks TO
safeguard the sport against possible
complications that might result from
promiscuous intermingling of boxing
officials and outsiders.
1t Is not unlikely that Mr.. Muldoon
has heard reports to the effect that GER
tain judges and referees were seen some
time ago in conference with a coterie. OF
betting men In prominent uptown ho-
tel 1t also is probable that II the
chairman obtains evidence of such con-
duct on the part of any Of his referees
or judges, there wills be a number or
vacancies on the staff of ring officials.
The order to referees and judges to keep
away from spectators in boxing clubs is
excellent so far as it goes. An addition
to it could we'll be made to the effect
that any referee. judge or second seen
in converse with betting man, in or out
Of boxing club, shall be at once sus-
pended.
Advance Information.
1t is a we'll known fact that the ele-
ment which bets on all branches OF
sport is constantly trying to learn the
names of officials who are apt to be Sc
lected to referee or judge important
bouts, but the commission has in the
main baffled the attempts.
The action of Chairman Muldoon Is
in accord with the policy of baseball
magnates and racing authorities.
Jockeys are cooped up on the day or a
race and Baseball umpires are not per-
nritted to mingle with the spectators at
ball gounds. In fact, no one knows who
will umpire a game until the officials
enter the grounds, and the umpire5 are
required TO go to their dressing rooms
and remain there till time for play to
begin. Umpires are not permitted to
stay at the same hotels where teams are
uuartered and the officials do not ride
on the same trains with ball players.
Under the circumste 1t is high
time boxing referees and judges were
surrounded with safeguards against
temptation.
The Boxing Commission has revoked
the license of Jack Scoodle. second,
for offensive and insulting conduct at
the Polo Grounds October IL and at
Madison Square Garden October 6. In
this action the commission has earned
the gratitude of those who sit near the
ringside and are affronted by the de-
meanor of seconds. During the bouts
at Madison Square Garden last Friday
night a second In Willie Herman's cor
ner insisted on standing up, thus OBJ
structing the view of spectators He
was ordered to sit down. and he then
annoyed all within earshot by pounding
the running board with his fist and CIV
ing utterance to loud instructions to
Herman The penalty inflicted on
scoodle may have the effect of toning
down offensive seconds The costumes
worn by many OF these seconds are not
pleasing TO the eye.