The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-10-10
COURT BATTLE. LOOMS TO.DEFINE COSKEY STATUS
POdOIOff Threatens to Close Up Shop on BOx-
 ing and Wrestling
BY JOHN A. CLUNEY Sports Editor


 Not Philadelphia lawyers, but a few legal lights from New Haven and Hartford spent part of today preparing to go to court, if nec- essary, for ruling as to just what constitutes the legal authority of Frank s. Coskey, athletic commits sioner of the state of Connecticut who is charged with the supervi- sion of sports presentations in this state, where admission is charged to the public.
 The showdown" for, in its pres- ent stage it is just that, came about when "team wrestling" was pre- sented at the New Haven Arena last week against the express warn- ing and order of the state con1- missioner. Team wrestling is a form of sport-vaudeville entertain lnent that allows more than two matmen in the ring at the same time.
 The contention of general man. ager Nathan Podoloff is that there is nothing in the rules of the state athletic commission that prevents the presentation of such sport as team wrestling, Coskey's order or warning of last week to the con- trary notwithstanding. So, he went ahead with the show, which was popular, but the states licenses ref- cree, announcer and time-keeper were warned not to work and they needed the warning.
 The state commissioners slant on the "team wrestling" shows is that 1t is a fore-runner of such ludi- crous forms of sport-burlesque as wrestling in mud, feminine wres- tiers and bouts involving a boxer against a wrestler, in which latter contest Kingfish Levinsky of Chi cago once had a part, and got very much the worst of 1t from the mat man.
 Not Enough Cops?
 Going further, Coskey charged that there is marked lack of police protection at the New Haven Arena, and, with such presentations as team wrestling" a riot is apt to oc- cur, with great possibility of per- sonal injury and possible loss of life. At one time the New Haven police department called the com- missioner's attention to alleged lack of police protection at the Arena, Coskey stated to the Democrat. "In addition to all that" said the con- missioner, none of the state wres- tling referees are going into a ring with matmen who make the off, clal look ridiculous, by tearing his clothes, pushing him around and using other forms of attack cal culated to entertain the fans"
 May Shut Down
 Asked for a statement after mo- tice that the Arena license was sus- pended as of October 18th, MT Podoloff said: we are consulting our attorneys today and will prob- ably have to go into court to pro- tect our rights. However, in the event that the state athletic com missioner is allowed to preside in this state as a virtual dictator we may be obliged to discontinue all boxing and wrestling shows at the Arena, and confine our activi- ties to hockey ice shows, carnivals and stage entertainment, which is devoid of the many headaches at- tendant upon boxing and wrestling. If we are to be subject to the whims and caprices of one man in our business, then we shall not put up with it."
 The Commission Arena storm has been brewing for some time and now, seems to have reached "gale" proportions. The New Haven or- ganization Is the largest single sports center in the state that does the largest amount of sports busi- ness in the year, and consequently pays the largest tax to the state and federal government.