Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-23

The search was long and te-
dious. 1t was only after three
solid hours of pavement-pounding and inquir-
ing that the two men finally found pair of
g-een silk socks in an out-of-the-way London
sore The fighter smiled when the discovery
vas made. Victory, certain victory, was IN
The offing for him.
And so we learn that Packey Mcfarland. one
NJ the great fighters in the history of the
squared circle, refused to battle unless he
Yore green silk socks. strange superstition,
say the least. Yet only one Of many en-
ertained by past and present members Of the
Royal Give-and-Take Society.
The colorful Bob Fitzsimmons feared no man.
He did, however, fear the superstition that
70 follow losing fighter into dressing
room was to invite future defeat. AS result,
ruby Robert never would occupy or enter q
dressing room used by a defeated fighter.
The Cornishman would drawl: "'Ats bad
stuff, followin' loSin' fghterv' Furthermore,
he fighting blacksmith seldom permitted
osing fighter to step into his dressing quarters.
It was Lanky Bobs constant desire to remain
out of the company Of fighters who had tasted
defeat.
MANY present-day fight fans who see the
aging and honorable Johnny Dundee tot
Ter into the ring before a battle remark that
,Johnny's bathrobe is an ancient affair Pockets
chat were are no more The seat is patched
very much so. To the fan it is just another
old robe. To Johnny-well, it is the token of
good luck
Johnny would no sooner think of entering
the ring without the robe than he would Of
going into battle with his arms tied. The
robe is his guardian angel Presented on the
Of his first fight by his first manager, Scotty
Montieth, 1t remains as an integral part Of
Johnny's equipment It is more than q robe
It is friend. constant source of encourage
ment It has served for 10 years
And where Johnny believes in the charm Of
an age-worn robe, Kid williams, former ban
samweight champion, has faith In q small
skullcap. The veteran Baltimore fighter, once
termed the Blond Tiger, never steps into the
ring without wearing the strange headpiece.
1t is the first part Of his business" attire to
be put on, the last to be removed. What
magic power It brings to williams no one
knows, but the fact remains that the clever
Dane, long sllorn of the speed and power Of
youth. continues to hold his own with the
younger istmen.
Williams skullcap is matched by the old,
checkered cap that Willie Jackson once an
outstanding contender for the lightweight
championship. used to bring into the ring.
Jackson wore the same cap for all his battles.
Willie had supreme confidence in two things:
his right hand and the old checkered capt
JEFF Smith, middleweight who was credit
to the game. did not confess susceptibility to
black tights throughout his 10 years Of active
campaigning. Smith fought in all parts Of
the world, using the same trunks he wore ON
the night OF his first fight. Jeff took especial
care Of the tights. folding them carefully after
each performance. He intrusted them to no
one. They are In comparatively good condi-
ton today. and Jen prizes them as highly -
he does the beautiful "middleweight champion
ship Of the world" medal awarded him In Paris.
What inspirational power turks in the hearty
handshake Of q manager? Lew Tender, the
most graceful southpaw In ring history, could
answer that question with much enthusiasm
and authority. For Lefty Lew was . hrm
believer IN the hand-gripping superstition. The
genial Philadelphia left-hander always shook
hands with his manager, Phil Glassman. be-
fore stepping to the center of the ring. An
instant before the bell Lew could be seen NIT
ting his manager. 1t was the same act every
fight. The same when Glassman prepared
the tall frail newsboy for his first battle; the
same when the two waited for the gong to