The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-12-27
Talking
IT OVER
BY JOE WILLIAMS
NEW YORK. Dec. u.

NEW YORK, Dec. 81.
DY refusing to bestow its holy
ID blessings and official sanction
on the proposed bout between young
Jack Thompson and Jake Finkel-
stein, otherwise Jackie Fields, cham
pion Of the welters, the boxing COM
mission took a drastic step which
may have far-reaching effects In
the amusement business. BY its
action the commission implied that
Thompson and the gentleman who
is known as Fields hav-
ing met in two previous fights with
in the year we're not entitled to
another meeting. The commission
indicated that the two prize fight
ers, due to their past business asso-
Citations, could not possibly be very
unfriendly and that their main in
terest in battling again was a sor-
did one. inspired by pecuniary in
stincts.
This Is a most unusual procedure the
commission has adopted because prize
fighters as class are known more for
their commercial aim than their art and
think close check-up would show that
from time to time a few Of these per
formers have stepped into the ring carry
ing no more malice in their hearts than
a little boy blue or a Peter Pan.
n
THE commission, of course, was
Il influenced in this instance by
the fact that Fields the Finkelstein
had won both the previous fights
from Thompson without any undue
exertion, a circumstance which
probably made it pertinent to ques-
ton the necessity Of continuing the
controversy. Still it is not easy for
an old timer to sit back calmly and
watch the boxing authorities with
their unyielding fair for realism
destroy one of the oldest institute ons
known to the business-namely the
brother act. These things have been
going on for SO many years in so
many parts of the country that 1t
seems outrageous that at this late
date any attempt should be made to
reyolutiopize the existing routine.
n n
Also II Is particularly unfortunate at
this time when the amusement business
generally Is in a chaotic condition and it
is practically impossible to tell from one
day to another just what is sure fire en-
tertainment and what is not. smashing
brother act that Is gifted enough to WOW
the customers over the big time never has
trouble getting bookings as any vaude-
willie manager will tell you and while that
pair, Fields and Thompson, may
be restrained from delivering their nifties
on Broadway, it is quite likely they will
be in eager demand elsewhere. Indeed /
note by the daily gazettcs that Chicago,
always responsive to the cultural appeals
OF the arts. is already seeking the attrac-
ton
NNE of the most famous of all
~ brother acts in the ring, I am
reminded. featured two other well
terweights, Ted Lewis, the Eng
lishman, and Jack Britton. I don't
recall the exact number of times
these gentlemen publicly revealed
there Offering, but in their twenty
second fight, held at the old Garden,
they played to record gate, a matter
of some $4,000, of which Mr.. Brit
ton received $4,000 and his partner,
Mr.. Lewis, $4,000.
This was a very vigorous contest
and to all appearances was con-
Quoted with great earnestness and
ardor, and when the customers de-
parted for the exits, after fifteen
rounds, there was no unfattering
criticism.
Britton and Lewis had been doing their
act fer such an extended time that they
had attained the heights of perfection, and
their work was at all times 1awless. Mr..
Dan Morgan. who managed Mr.. Britton and
at times stage-managed the whole per-
formance, Is even to this day very in
sistent that the two prize fighters always
worked on what is known as the up and
up and that nothing smacking of sinister
or larcenious methods were ever employed.
n n
TN proof of his claim Mr.. Morgan
i seldom fails to tell you of the
performance in Cincinnati when the
motives of the two principals we're
impugned by unfeeling critics in adj
vance of the show and he persuaded
members of the local boxing board
to sit in the corners and take what
ever action their sense of justice
dictated. This arrangement is SIM
liar to the practice of professional
magicianS who invite the audience
to step upon the stage and observe
at close range the miracle of wom-
an being sawed in half.
-
Such was the artistry OF the Messrs.
BrittOn and Lewis that before The fight
in question was half over. according to
Mr.. Morgan. the representatives of the
boxing board were leading the cheers. All
Of which goes to prove that If you make
the act lock good nobody cares.
II n
OF course in the interest of
Righteousness an announcement
should be made ahead of time that
oil dCG anu uOt a vi i1S 4lSlIG ID w
be held. I don't believe this has
ever been done. possibly due to the
common theory that the less the
customers are told about such
things the better it will be all
around-and particularly at the box
office.
HIGH-PRICED RIDER
a salary of $4,000 a year plus a
share in his winnings is paid Jockey