The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-08-21


THE WAR DEPARTMENT AND
PRIZEFIGHTING
from. Board of Temperance and
Public Morals.
Prizefighting at Washington Bar
acks, Washington, d. c., has been
in Difference to the
district law forbidding such con-
ests. Fights at Fort Myer have
llso been called off, presumably for
similar reason.
This is sincere action in accord
tnce with General Orders issued by
he War Department, reading:
Boxing as an athletic exer-
else and as a sport should be
encouraged. Care must be ex-
ercised that it does not lose Its
character as an exercise or
sport.
1.-THE following will govern
in permitting boxing contests
Cal A post within the limits
of city or other corporation 3
will comply withNthe local ordi-
nances with respect to boxing
contests.
Oh A post not within the
limits of a city or other corpora
ton will comply with the State
laws with respect to boxing
contests.
(c) A post within the limits
of Territory or the Distinct
of Columbia will comply with
the Federal Criminal Code.
(d) If there be no local laws
or ordinances to the contrary,
boxing exhibitions may be open
to the public
Criticism of the army bouts has
been based upon the fact that
matches have been arranged by
professional match-makers, that pro-
ressional prizefghters have been
permitted to participate in such
matches, that the general conduct
If these bouts has made them
hardly dissimilarf from ordinary
as conducted in New
York and elsewhere, that the men
in the service, instead Of being en-
by army boxing to
participate in a general way, have
rather been encouraged to limit
their participation to the role OF
spectator.
The close relation between army
boxing" and outside prizefighting
has been humiliating to millions OF
Christian tax payers. They have
seen the so-called champions de
veloped n the army stepping out
into the ranks Of professionalism
their army exploits and
doing everything possible to retain
the suggestion Of continued identity
with the army. The present policy
of the War Department that bouts
which are contrary to law in con
tiguous territory shall not take
place within post limits is com
mendible even though no more than
ethical. The Identification OF pro
fessional match-makers and OF pro-
fessional prizefghters with such
bouts should stop. 1t is highly de-
sirable that boxing as a public ex
hibition TO which admission fees
are charged be discontinued and
that general boxing as an exercise
and sportAbe encouraged. 1t is con-
tended in this connection that army
athletics is not supported by Con
appropriation and thai
the admission fees are needed. This
is a situation which Congress should
and can correct. Temperance forces
of the nation at the time the canteen
was abolished secured proper sup
port for recreational features to DC
added to post exchanges. They VIII
undoubtedly give every possible aid
to any effort to secure an appropri-
alton to be used for the encorage-
ment of athletics in the army.
Major Thomas J. Johnson, OF The
General staff, says, I'VE believe
boxing to be OF value but we are go
ing to strive more and more to- put
il on a basis conforming closely to
the spirit of amateurism." Present
orders restrict boxing bouts to three
rounds with ten ounce gloves.
1t is very much to be doubted
that the, use of boxing to teach
soldiers to give and take punish
ment" is advisable. The average
soldier is quite willing to give and
take punishment In his country's
service, while vicarious participation
in the giving and taking OF punish
ment by sitting in a folding chair and
watching two other men pummel
each other undoubtedly decreases
such willingness, In other words OF
Arthur Brisbane, Zone could find
material for first class retreat at
n nv, v,ri1ofi oht