The Washington times., 1929-02-19
D. c. BOXING
BILL WINS
SUPPORT

Friends Of amateur boxing
in the District explained their
support of a bill to prohibit
prize fighting and to regulate
amateur matches at an enthus-
iastic hearing before the ju-
dietary subcommittee of the
House District Committee to-
day.
An early and favorable report on
the bill was indicated by Chairman
Clarence ]. Mcleod. of Michigan.
The surprise of the hearing was
furnished by Canon William s.
Chase. OF Brooklyn, N. r.. promi'
nent In several national reform
movements who commended the
legislation and urged the subcom-
mittee to keep true sport in
America"
Prizes Too Few
The local supporters OF the
measure told the subcommittee that
possible to charge an admission fee
to an amatuer bout or to give
trophy of any kind to the winning
contestants.
Prof. E. j. Cavanaugh. of Catholic
University. chairman of the faculty
committee on athletics, pointed out
that it is almost impossible to at
tract outside amateur talent to inter
collegiate boxing matches here be.
cause Of the restrictions on prizes.
II. J. Odenthal, executive secre-
tary of the City Club, declared that
''organized Washington is unalter.
ably opposed to professional prize
fights" and that the bill under con-
sideration would promote clean
sport.
Daniel J. Ferris. secretary OF the
Amateur Athletic Union, and
Charles L. Ornstein, secretary of
the local branch of that organiza-
ton, declared that the bill met
every demand of lovers of clean
sport.
Chairman Mcleod suggested that
he and other members of the sub
ould like the bill amend.
ed TO permit 10-round bouts instead
Of four rounds as provided in the
measure.
He was told by Ornsteir that any
changes in the bill to extend the
number of round would jeopardize
its passage. ornstein declared that
Deets Picket, secretary of the Meth
odist Board of Temperance, Prohi.
bition and Public Morals, was in
favor of the bill in its present form.
Austin D. Calhoun, jr.. student at
Georgetown Law School, introduced
a letter from Gen. Anton Stephan
pledging his support of the bill as
president of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association.
Money Now Shy
Several other speakers explained
that colleges and clubs in Washing.
ton were at present handicapped in
staging boxing bouts because they
were unable to collect money for
necessary expenses through the sale
of tickets.
Harvey NJ Miller, representing
the local departments of the Amer.
ican Legion and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, and James A. Nc.
Namara, representing the Jewish
Community Center and Georgetown
University, also spoke for the bill.
The subcommittee considered the
bill which passed the Senate earlier
lin this session of Congress which
is identical with a House bill in.
troduced by Representative Ralph
M. Updike of Indiana.
The bill limits awards for amateur
boxing matches to trophies not ex-
ceeding $35 in costs and restricts
the admission fee to 81.
1t also sets up a boxing commits.
sion to be appointed by the District
Commissioners with power to issue
permits and licenses for boxing ex.
hlbltions. Provision is made that
no round shall exceed two minutes
and that contestants shall use gloves
weighing not less than s ounces
each.