The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-22
MPHREES WAS MASTER IN ART |OF SWAYING MOB.
Irish Wit Always Put Hecklers Second to
 Famous Announcer
(Thls is the fourth Of six articles on Sec Humphreys, daddy Of sports annOunccrg). /.
Ny HARRY GRAYgON NuoFts Editor. NRA Service

0RWA " stNahvNHp ANm9fe tFS4 NANfO
 New York, Jan. 22.--Joscph Ed- ward Humphreys had voice, preg- cnce, personality, tact, and razor blade Irish wit, but more than that was required to make him the greatest of ell ay,nouncers. Joe the Beaut was Q master of mass think ing. w "You rub 'em the right way, and when they get sore you make 'er1 laugh" explains Humphreys, the dear old darling of fight crowds. Only that could enable man 10 make unruly thousands sit as quiet- ly as Sunday school class while he told them something they al- ready knew.
 Humphreys actually queiled riots by simply raising his hand. A strik- ing example of this wns his regtor- ing decorum at the Benny Leonard Frankie Conifrey contest nt the Lenox A. C., Sept. IA. 1916. Tho remarkable Leonard had just swung into full stride and was enroute to the lightweight leadership. It was bitter neighborhood fcud with racial feeling high.
 Tn the midst of q savage ex- change. e girl ct the ringside stood up and shouted. "Kill the Jewi' Murder the Mickl" yelled 2 Leon- ard worshiper. The factions didn't wait to get out into the aisies to do their slugging. Police charged toward the ring. It was an ugly situation until Joe Humphreys hopped to the apron of the plat form.
 "Qul.ett, Please-Qui-etr
 Come up here and that crazy inobll start bloodshed," Joe the Beaut warned the cops. "If can't handle 1t, I'll tip you off." Humphreys raised his lady-like hand.
 "Qui-ett, please--qui-ett." The free-for-all stopped. The crowd listened. It always listened to Joe Humphreys.
 T ain't going to censor you, ladies and gentlemen" said the Beaut, in that voice that didn't rasp. T ain't going to abuse you. That's neither my purpose nor my privilege. But I want to say that this isn't doing our game any good You keep Y up and our game is done. You lose your sport and our dear friends, the boxers, lose their Livelihood"
 The scrap went on with no coun. ter attractions. Leonard stopped Conifrey in tho sixth round.
 Humphreys was tho ideal contact man between the promoter, partici- pants, and officials and the trade With Joe the Beaut in the center poor fights and worse decisions were laughed or.
 Arthur Peikey met Sailor White in the old Garden Aug. 20. 1912. It was awful. A section of the sky- light was open for ventilation. It started to rain, and the bloodless battle was halted while tho open section of the daylight was closed.
 "The fight got no better rapidly. and, after another round or two, a wag shouted. "Open tn eskylight again and drown them bums." ' '
 Always the sguelch Elegant
 There were no decisions in those days. but the patrons voiced their displcasure at the end of 10 rounds 10 loud and long that any ether master of ceremonies at fistic en- counters would not have been able to introduce the principals In the next event.
 But Humphreys did. 6.
 "aui-ett, please--qui-ett," and Joe the Beaut had the crowds car. wish t' announce that I have good news for you. Pelkey and White have been rematched"
 That brought new round of Bronx cheers, but only for an inc stant.
 "But not here." continued the fa- nous mouthpiece. "They will meet tho next rainy night--on Barren Island" The crowd settled back in It's seats--content. It had had It's laugh.
 Humphreys never failed to come up with the squelch elegant for the heckier.
 Hubstitutions displease ring worms. Young Montreal was up- able to keep An appointment with Carl Tremainc, and sports Hpokes- man had Q bit of time clucidat- Ing.
 "Wheres Montrcal?" parked one djc-hard, as Humphreys finished.
 "Young fellow" replied Joe tho