The Washington herald., 1922-12-08
Air Station Athletic Director
Explains Football Stars
Part in Berwyn Fight
GAVE MONEY TO FUND
Joe Bateman, Local Sports
Promoter, Anxious to Tell
School Officials His Story

Navy Air Station, last night de-
clared that Vincent Plumpton,
Central High School football
player who is charged with pro-
fessionalism, has never received q
cent for participating in prize
fights since coming to Washing
ton. Plumpton is eighteen years
! old.
Barge explained that while
Plumpton took part in a bout at
Berwyn last summer his share of
the purse was Immediately turned
over to the general athletic fund
at the air station.
BATEMAN MAKES DENIAL.
Joe Bateman. local promoter, who
was mentioned as furnishing con-
siderable information on Plump.
tons alleged professionalism, in
sisted last night that he does no
know that Plumpton ever received
money for fighting and will insis'
upon going before the investigating
committee of principals and go on
record to that effect.
No situation that has ever de-
veloped in inter-high school ath-
letics here has ever attracted wider
attention than the Plump, on case.
s. Duncan Bradley. president of
the Home and School Association OF
Western High School preferred the
charges against Plumpton, who was
a member Of the Cent al n. Sup
porting his contention. Bradley pre-
sented a series of affidavi's of
Maurice Joyce. a private detective
employed by Bradley. In which it
was declared that Plumpton had
confessed to receiving money for a
long series Of prize fights.
"KIDDED" DETECTIVE.
Plumpton explains that when he
J learned the questioner, who posed
as a fight promoter. was a detective.
II developed into a kidding match.
Plump'on furnished Joyce with a
long lis' of bouts which he claimed
he had won and gave varying sums
of money which he said he re-
ceived-
Comparison of these dates with
Plumpton's age shows that some
Of his "triumphs" would have been
scored when he was less than Is
years of age. The talk was in a
! general ward at the Naval Hos
pital, Just after PlumptOn had un-
Rdergone an operation for appended
tbs and his wardmates Joined In
the general laugh.
Rateman. another of those making
affidavit. visited the office OF ).
Duncan Bradley yesterday and
< stated in no uncertain terms that
he intends to be heard by the
board Of principals. Batenan Is
boxing instructor and he feels he
will be harmed by the impression
that seems to have gotten abroad
concerning his connection with the
case.
ANSWER IN WRITING.
The complainants practically end
ed their case yesterday. Last night
Central High School authorities
started the work of assembling the
defensive facts. Instead Of pre-
.enting verhaI evidence r. A.
Maurer. principal OF the school,
, has decided to give the whole an
swer in writing supported by az
fidavits.
While nothing definite has been
announced IL is understood that
10 combat the word of the de-
tectives there will be the sworn
statement OF naval officials who
have followed Plumpton's career
since he entered the service and an
exclamation Of the disposition of
funds received at athletic events.
PIumpton is ready 10 admit that
for the fun of il. he purposely mis-
led the sleuth who was masquerad-
/ ing as a man. ready to give him
bout and will support this by
n
into the athletic fund at the air
station.
ATTENDED SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Plumpton. Furthermore. is anxious
TO explain that he is bona fide
candidate for a commission. via the
Naval Academy, and said he fully
realized that accepting money in
sports would make him an unde-
! sirable. As to the impression that
he is a regular associate Of pro-
fessiOnal fighters. Plumpton says he
will have the support of superin-
tendent in proving that ever since
coming here he has been a volun-
teer student at one Of the promi.
! nent Sunday schools of Washington.
Naval officers will explain that in
the navy boxing is a regular part
not considered disCreditable, but is
distinctly a part of the official sched-
ule.
Principal Maurer has prepared an
extended statement, outlining
Plumpton'S admission and scholastic
record. which is expected to remove
any objection from an eligibility
standpoint. 1t is pointed out in
this document that Plumpton was
/ ordered to Central to take n series
! Of studies that will prepare him to
enter Annapolis and that he has
| consistently maintained the. required
standard in his class work
(TARGET FOR ATTACK.
IL is now contended by many
closely following the case that
:Plumpton has been a steady target
for attack since the day Central
started on her championship Jour-
ney by defeating Western. First
there were letters TO the NAVY
Department inquiring as to Plump
toms career from birth This was
started in October. and when this
line nt attack failed it was switched
70 professionalism last month and
detectives We're put on the trail
kcentralitcs say.
tn" accused player Is still at the
hospital recovering from the opera