Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-17
BOUT WITHDRAWAL
FO|LS PROTESTS
Anticipated Stormy Hearing
at Sligo Armory Prevented
by CisseI's Action.
BY WILLIAM 7. WHEATLEY,
SLuff CORRESPONDENT of The Star.

SLIGO, Md, December 17.-Stormy
protests against the holding of boxing
bouts in the National Guard Armory,
which lad been expected at the public
hearing in the county building here last
night failed to materialize, when Capt.
Joseph C. Cissel commanding the
Service Company of the Maryland Ma
tional Guard, suddenly withdrew the
application and was Immediately given
a vote of thanks by those who had ex-
pected to talk against the matter. The
hearing was conducted by Lacy Shaw,
commissioner in charge of the north
ern metropolitan district of Montgom-
cry County, and was on an application
of the militiamen to hold boxing bouts
in the armory for the purpose OF in
creasing the company funds.
Citizens Against Bouts.
Commissioner Shaw announced at the
beginning of the meeting that he had
received protests against the granting
of the application. Examination OF
them showed that the executive COM
mittee of the Blair Citizens Associa-
ton had voted to l against the bouts,
according to a letter from E. M. San
ford. Mary w. Alden, corresponding
secretary of the Rector'S Aid of Silver
Spring Mission, on behalf of the mis-
sion, protested against such means Of
raising money. The protest OF the
Silver Spring Baptist Church was signed
by Mrs. Lester E. VeirS, clerk. There
was petition signed with the names
of 81 persons claiming to be residents
of Silver Spring. The Woman's I'M
provement Club CT Silver Spring held a
special meeting on the matter, and it
was reported to Mr.. Shaw in formal
communication, had UNANIMOUSLY voted
against the bouts.
THE women" said the letter, in
part, feel that the exhibitions would
bring into our community undesirable
people and lower the plane Of the COM
munity as a residential suburb. We
advocate, as citizens, high standard
of living and must be an example for
other communities"
The letter further said that it was
the belief that this action expressed the
general sentiment of the community.
Bouts Would Be Legal.
Capt. Cissel pointed out that it was
perfectly legal for the Guard company
to hold boxing bouts in the armory,
both without the permission Of the State
Boxing Commission and the county
commissioners, but neither he nor the
men of his company wanted to do any
thing which was opposed by the citizens
the company fund, from which are paid
that the organization was faced with
the need of finding some means OF
raising money with which to replenish
the company fnnd, from which are paid
expenses in connection with increasing
facilities at the armory and for supply
ing certain extras in camp. Formerly,
he said, this was done with the money
obtained from use Of the bowling alleys.
but it was no longer possible because
of the establishment of other alleys In
the community. Several bouts, he said,
had been given for the purpose OF
ascertaniing whether they would pro-
duce revenue, and it was found that
they would, and then the sentiment OF
the community was sought to determine
whether they should be continued.
Capt. Cissel said that he had written
letters to various organizations in the
community in an attempt to feel out
the sentiment, but, he added, none OF
the organizations had not even granted
the courtesy of replying, so that public
hearing was determined upon by filing
a formal application with the county
commissioners, in which the statement
was made that If there was any opposi-
ton it would be withdrawn. II the
organizations had made known their
opposition in answer to letter. he said,
that the application would never had
been filed.
He said neither he nor the members
of his company desired to embarrass
the commission in making a decision
and in the face of opposition he with
drew the application,