The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-29
By Gene Tunney

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SPECULATOR, N. T., June
%. The statement, recently
made by my next opponent,
Tom Heeney, to the effect that
our coming bort IN July viii
bring together two boxers
brought out By the World War
is true enough.
This. in spite Of the contention
Of some who trace my career In the
sDort to the period Immediately pre-
ceding the war.
While it is a matter OF record
that / did take part in few oouts
before entering the service, 1t was
merely for the sport and fun IN
volyed the prizes received being
distributed among the boys VINO
helIsel me prepare for the bouts.
Prior to the war. / was work
fFg as a clerk lin the office OF
tie Ocean Steamship Co., in
New York. NY first job was as
4 MIN clerk. Later was pro-
noted ia rate clerk. lie seems
now that nothing could induce
mas ia undertake. the arduOus
duties imposed by that last posi-
ton.
Tn me it was q zero" job.
7 had ia painstlkingiy figure out.
tbe a,ro rata, cost over each railroad
that = piece of freight was carried
on. If it was a box OF soap from
New York to Kansas City or Dem
yer. It. was part of my work to as
certain and distribute the various
oaynneflts due six or seven carriers.
with pen and ink spent day
after day struggling through plies
az bills OF lading. enIneshed IN
maze OF tariffs. classifications, hg-
ures and percentages. until my eyes
ached and my back was lame.
There was no let.up to this dismal
labor.
when / thought Of my futuref-it
was picture Of myself patiently
pioddinr aIong in the same old rut
untif the chief clerk had passed to
the Great Beyond. Only then would
] move UP into his place. assuming
/ had retained my own health ana
THE salary 81 this higher office
the goal was seeking was $50
week.
Nothing could have been more
forlorn. Out of my weekly salary
Of Sf5 contributed SO at home.
The balance used for clothing my
self and-spending money. Living
was cheaper then and i got along
well. on this stipend.
yet / was soreIy troubled. MY
imagination pictured other fields
ali seemingly beyond my reach.
Al times wondered If life was
worth while. The price of this dull
existefce seemed too great. Youth
and heath, bodily and mental vigOr
had to be sacrificed. No mental
stimulation! Never an iOta Of joy
In return from the labor!
About this time I had earned
some local reputation as boxer.
Frequently, after working hours, I
spared with boys. OF the neighbor.
hood at nearby gymnasium.
Hearing of my supposed proves,
q professional boxer Of some repute
approached me. To test out my
ability, he donned the gloves and
proceeded to teach me some Of the
rudimnts of the sport.
One night he brought over a box.
ing promoter to witness out work.
out. He tried to persuade me to
enter a boxing tournament. Follow
ing some weeks Of this persuasion,
] acqtheeced.
After participating in four con-
tests. I. decided that ring career
was not to my liking, or at least,
learned that it did not harmonic
with certain yet underlined plans
and ambitions that I was conscious
So I took to rating freights seri.
ously through the succeeding
months until got into the service.
The boxing experience / had in
service, beginning with the Marine
Corps Training Station at Paris
Island and terminating with the
A.. -. F. finals, with all sorts of
boxers, amateurs and professionals,
convinced me that I ought to try
my hand at the game In serious
way after my release. That meant
to devote all my time to it and go
into the sport for all 1t was worth
as one enters any business or pro.
fessIonai occupation.
That. is why it is safe to say,
that had there been no world war,
there never would have been a
heavyweight champion named Gene
Tunney.
Copyright, 1923. King Features
Syndicate. inc.