The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-26
Convention Once-Overs
By H. I. Phillips

RfNGSIDE, MADISON SQUARE E GARDEN, June 25.--Late today Tex Rickard, premier boxing promoter Of the world, announced that he had known the democratic convention would have. been as big a fight as this he would have staged it in an outdoor arena.
 No better boxing show has been staged in the history of the garden.
 It is expected to interfere seriously with the all-star bouts scheduled for tomorrow night at the Polo Grounds for the milk fund.
 Whatever else the democratic party may or may not have this year there can be no question but that it has en- durance. At the second heat in the hot air-cooled Garden today, it endured practically everything.
 It endured merciless heat, it endured merciless oratory, it endured bedlam, it endured merciless demonstrations and it endured merciless personal encoun- ters. A terrific thunderstorm broke shortly after the session closed. It seemed squeaky and feeble in compar- ison.
 Whoever got most of the honors out of today's session, the Colorado and Missouri delegations got most of, the action. A suitable candidate to meet Dempsey may be found in either or both. There is strong feeling to- night in favor of sending for Luis Angel Firpo to act as permanent chair man.
 The fight card was not on the pro- gram. It began when ''the gentlemen from Alabama" nominating Oscar Un- derwood's stand against the Ku Klux Klan. The northern states stood up. Then they began parading. Most of the southern states and some of the wes- tern ones refused to do either. At that moment the convention passed from the control of the rules of the democratic national committee as passed into the hands of the Marquis of Queensbury.
 Some of the dissenting delegations were not exactly unanimous, or else they misunderstood the signals. At any rate, in a half dozen sections one or more delegates attempted to seize the banner and join the down with the kleagles" movement. Words flew. Fists flew. It was sort of "flew epidemic"
 In the Colorado section, Governor Sweet, Dr. L. F. Jefferson and Tom Early swung into action. One of them wanted to carry the banner in the pa- rade let the wizards and klonciliums fall where they might, the others didn't. It appeared from the ringside that Dr. Jefferson led with his right. The gov ernor blocked, after that it was every man for himself.
 Something new was introduced to Madison Square Garden fighting in that they talked as swiftly and as strenuously as they fought. All looked highly apologetic at the bell.
 In the Missouri section John Keegan grabbed the banner and started to join the parade. He progressed less than six inches, English troy weight. Mrs. Mil ford Riggs of Ironton grabbed him around the neck. No holds were bar red in today's bouts. She held Mir. Keegan even for the first round after which several male Missourians entered the combat. Ns
 From the speakers stand lit was a. great fight. Senator Robinson of Ar kansas witnessed it from there. He agreed it was better fight tha nthe one he staged at the Chevy chase golf links with doctor last week, all things reconsidered.
 A good many healthy swings were exchanged pro and con in other delega- tions but there were not enough sport ing editors >on hand to cover all of them. This will be remedied tomor- row. It had better be,
 No official decision was given. The