Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-02

which surprises even the veterans Of
the game. Our application lists. sane
ton requests and other office data
clearly indicate that 1922 is going 10
ce the biggest year by far that we
have ever had.
Part OF the popularity OF the sport
is due 10 the aftermath OF the war.
Thousands OF young men learned to
handle n gun and the fascination OF
shooting. while in service and 90 per
cent are eager 10 continue shooting
either as a competitive sport or recre-
alton. We now have one OF the most
complete sport governing and record
ing organizations in the world. With
this system constantly improving, the
inclusion CT the amateurs bodies and
the knowledge that target shooting
can be INDUCED In almost the year
round. ! believe l am safe in saying
that the followers Of this sport Will
double during the next year or two"
Boxing.
The American people like excite
ment." said Tex Rickard in discussing
the remarkable growth Of sport in the
/ past two years and the outlook for
the coming season This demand for
excitement is shown by the manner
I In which those sports which supply
thrills are patronized. Boxing of
course ranks we'll 10 the fore in this
category and. while the last 12 months
has witnessed great increase of inter
est. record attendance and gate re-
ceipts. / am inclined 10 believe that
the new year viii surpass the old in
this respect.
While 1922 is not likely 10 witness
another bout Of the international cali
/ hre and interest Of the Dempsey-Car-
pentier contest, ! think that there will
be an increase in the number Of bouts
and the localities in which such
matches may be held in conformity TO
the law. Boxing is not alone advanc-
ing in popularity for all sport so far
az l can learn Is on the increase.
Various reasons have been ad-
Nanced for this gain. Personally /
think that II Is due 10 a number Of
causes The advent Of prohibition
with the closing Of the saloon has sent
thousands OF men. young and old, 10
watch or play games or contests such
imposed by the war and the growing
belief in the benefits OF exercise and
competition have all helped to increase
the popularity OF sport.
SO FAR as boxing Is concerned. the
Walker law has helped the sport won
derfully IN New York State and ]
would like 10 see similar enactments In
all other States. The new Boxers AL
lance. If IL means business and has nc
private axes 10 grind, should be a
great boom for boxing. If champions
could be forced 10 defend their titles
against selected opponents at stated
intervals. thus giving worthy CON
tenders chance TO advance, il would
be another step in the improvement
of boxing"
Track and Field.
The coming year is expected TO be
one Of great activity in college track
and field athletics and sport Of al
classes, according 10 Gustayus r
Kirby. president OF the American
olympic Committee. at the AntwerI
international meet. Mr.. Kirby states.
College athletics received a splendid
impetus during the past year, due in
part 10 the visit OF the Oxford-Cam.
bridge Universities track team las
summer and the resultant interna
7 tional intercollegiate meets at Bos
ton and New York Golf. tennis, small
: yacht racing and other forms OF anna
teur sport also figured In similar In
: ternational contests
The 1922 schedule is still in tn,
making, but already the University o
Pennsylvania has announced that 4
viii send a relay team TO London fol
T competition against the English uni