New Britain herald., 1926-09-23

Hnlld0elpAld, sept. 25 Nl-Ihe celebration of 150 years of Ameri- can independence, gained in com paratively ancient warfare. gave way today to the commanding spectacle of a modern conflict, the settlement of personal fighting supremacy be- tween Jack Dempsey and Gene Tun- ney.
 Champion and challenger, these two modern gladiators, were girded to fight for the heavyweight cham pionship of the world and the rich est prize in the sporting world some S650, ,000-before the greatest throng that ever paid to view an athletic event anywhere.
 Few wars, ancient or modern, have required more diplomatic maneuvers, negotiations and ulti- matums than this duel but the path to it's consummation today seemed clear, barring a last-minute injunc- ton or a hurricane.
 The odds were heavily against either form of interruption. Deci- sion on the eleventh hour injunction move of B. c. Clements, Chicago promoter, was slated for decision early in the day with experts and the general public confident that it would be dismissed. And the harsh est prediction of the weather man called only for light local showers which were not expected either to dampen enthusiasm or block the fight program.
 The preliminary skirmishes in the ring were scheduled to begin at s D. m., eastern daylight time, with the signal for the main attack eX- pected between 9:30 and 9:45.
 While lawyers moved to settle the last remaining legal issues, Philadel- phia braced itself to withstand the rush of the thousands toward the scene of battle, the gigantic munich pal stadium located in the sesqui- centennial exposition grounds. There, with the first break of day, was begun the task of putting the finishing touches to arrangements for handling and seating a crowd Of 1S2,000 spectators.
 This was the capacity fixed for the big enclosure but from the pro- portions of the jam of humanity at all gates to the city, 1t seemed like ly that close to 20O,0O0 would seek the vicinity of the battle ground by nightfan. From 75,OO0 to 100000 visitors were expected, with as many more native townsmen and women intent upon being at least in proXim- ity to the battle of "century and a half"
 The advance guard of the visiting battalions numbering close to 5O,- 900 converged on the city overnight, with as many more expected during the day, chiefly by dozens of special trains from New York, Washington, Baltimore, Chicago and other big centers.
 Unable to obtain hotel or room ing accommodations, hundreds spent a sleepless night or sought repose in any available spot, preparatory to joining the rush toward the turn stiles. These were to start clicking at 8 p. m, but Promoter Rickard expected the jam to necessitate opening of some of the stadium gates by noon.
 The wealth, society and public fife of the nation was well repre- sented in the gathering throngs. Governors, senators. congressman, mayors and lesser figures in politics, captains of industry men and wom- en whose names fill pages of so- cietys blue books, holding the choicest of the $27.50 ringside tickets, mingled with the fans clutching $5.5O pasteboards.
 Nothing in boxing or sporting his tory in this country, or any other, has even remotely approached the proportions of this spectacle, taking all angles into consideration. As many followers of sport may have damned their way into such events as the English derby or the Indian apolis auto race but the paying public" at these classics could not compare with the amazing throng that already has turned close to S1,- 750,o into the coffers Of Tex Richards organization.
 It was the nearest approach to a s2,000,oo0 sporting spectacle yet known. It was barely few years ago when million-dollar gates for championship fight. or worlds series battles startled the athletic world. Today those figures were