The New York herald., 1922-08-20
SHERIFF ORDERED
TO PREVENT BOUT
Gov. McCray Says Dempsey
and Brennan Must Not
Fight.

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 1s.--Gov McCray
to-cay sent letter to Sheriff William
e. Anstiss. sheriff Of Laporte county, In
which the Executive declared that he is
convinced that the Dempsey Brennan
bout at Michigan City is to be n prize
nght and therefore prohibited hy law.
The letter to the sheriff reads:
Il notice from the press reports that
a Dempsey Brennan fight is being plan
ned for Labor Day at Michigan City.
The State Legal Department has ad-
vised me that there is a direct and posi-
tive statute against prize fighting in this
state have also read the statute care
fully and l do rot see how 1t could be
more plainly written.
Il think I have the right to assume
that any encounter In which the worlds s
champion pugiist engages for a large
sum OF money is a prize fight. The pub
iicity has all been directed to contest
of that character. At the ringside of the
initial bout on July placards were
posted reading Dempsey will defend
his title here on Labor Day
"All the writer's of the sport columns
have constantly referred to the engage
ment as fight. Seats have been on sale
at prize fight prices. The press has re-
ported seats advertised at s275O for
ringside and box seats; s22 for seats In
the inner circle, and s11 for seats in the
outer circle. In all, the arena Is planned
to seat $4,000 persons.
Prominent sport writer's have re-
ferred TO Brennan as a challenger for
Dempsey's title. II is reported that
Dempsey's manager, Kearns, has said
that the bout will draw close to $500, 900.
From all this advance evidence I feel
that I am perfectly safe in considering
This affair not a mere boxing or sparrrg
match. but as prize fight, and. there-
fore. prohibited by law.
"Inasmuch as the law is plain and
unmistakable ID must not be violated.
/ did not make the laws and therefore
am not responsible for their being on
the statute books, but, inasmuch as
have taken an oath 10 maintain tho
supremacy OF the law, 1 am responsible
for its enforcement.
To my mind II is clear that II either
is intended that the affair be prize
fight, or else the public is to be badly
disa ppointed, IL not defrauded. In any
event there would be violation either
OF the written law OF the State or the
unwritten law OF common fairness and
equity
Il cannot consistently or conscien-
tiousiy permit our laws to be violated in
once section Of Indiana and at the same
time have troops stationed IN other parts
OF the state to see that the laws are up
held. I therefore demand OF you as the
law enforcement officer of Laporte
county that you do your full duty and
see 10 II that the proposed fight does
not take place"
MICHIGAN CITY. Ind. Aug. 1o.-sheriff
William e. Anstiss Of Laporte county
appeared to-day to hold in his hands the
fate OF the scheduled Dempsey Brennan
boxing match set for Labor Day. Pro-
motcr Floyd Fitzsimmons and the
fighters managers awaited word from
the Sheriff before announcing any de-
clsion whether the match would be held
or called off.
Unless the Sheriff announces that he
will stop the match. In accord with the
Governors letter. Promoter Fitzsimmons
and his associates will proceed with
plans for the Labor Day match.