The Phoenix index., 1942-07-18
SP D RT rs SlANTS
By Lucius (MeIanchoiy) Jones
Uncle Sam Now Looms AS Main PrOmOtive
Rival Of Mike Jacobs; Many Barred Negro
Stars Rank With Di Maggie, Mize, Wyatt

That rival" the article explained, twill be Uncle
Sam-Od Man Whiskers himself"
It limited that Uncle Sam would perfect his plan
by simply inducing all first class boxers he needed into
the Army other divisions of service. Then the writer
conended these will be under obligation to their gov
ernmen and consequently, would have to fight if it
SHOWN them that their greatest possible would
thus be derived
Whereas Mike Jacobs used to have a strangehOd m
the pugisc mart Uncle Sam would take over the maga-
zine scribe continued.
In fact the writer implied that the only way Uncle
Mike would be able to his hide would be present
ing himself to the government promotive agent 1t
was explained that, by virtue of his complete
knowledge of and long experience with the game the gov
ernment might condescend to let him promote major fights
for It, allowing Jacobs decent promotonal commission.
Wei. this particular writer must have had an ear to
the ground. His piece turns out to be magnificent
bit OF prophecy.
Freddie (Red) Cochrane, present world weterweght
champion is in the United States Navy They tried all
all kinds of means to have the white boy give Ray Suga)
Robinson, outstanding challenger to the crown shot at
the title But Cochrane baked Mike Jacobs stymied
every side and could do nothing about it. Cochrane said
he would risk his title to the sensational
Negro.
We'll, Cochrane may have to eat up those words be-
Uncle Sam has other ideas The Old Man has already
called 20year old Ray to the cOOrsthat s he is subject
to immediate call and probably will be summoned after his
July 81 fight with Sammy Angot white lightweight
champion of the world.
That much is obvious, because Uncle Sam has already
10 none bout between Cochrane and Robinson. This
and Freddie said he would never fight Ray
What is responsible for the change in Cochranes at
titude?
& The question should be worded "Who" and not "What'
and the answer is Uncle Sam.
The proceeds of the September fight will go to the
United Service Organizations with Jacobs getting his pro-
mOtiOna cut, after expenses taken off the top
Robinson and Cochrane have not met earlier because
Uncle Sam didn't have Sugar Ray. In September, Robin
WILL be under the wing of Old Man Whskers, which
will give the government jurisdiction the fight and
the fighters well.
One probably wonders why the contest is being called
'nOntle' affair." Ordinarily the tendency would be to
think Cochranes personal wishes have something to do
with it.
The guess of this column is that Cochranes prefer
ences have nothing whatever to do with the matter but
rather the desire promotion to stage tituar re-
match for bigger stakes after the first bout catches on
The column discussed this latest development with
Cashier Walter H. Smith of the Atlanta Life Insurance
Company veteran of World War No. and outstanding
lover of the manly art of self defense His hobbies prize
fights music and billiards. The insurance official seemed
satisfied the magazine author had caed the turn-and
he departed wearing big Atlantic tOPacific grin he
twisted favOrte cigar in the corner of his mouth.
The column smack into Deacon R. L. Craddock of
Friendship Baptist church. also pioneer local insurance
worker, Friday around
do think any progress is being made in the ef-
fort to get Negro players in major league baseba? the
deacon asked Lu 10.
"Yes," he was told "but only in a small way as yet
In my opinion there three important steps to
in the movement: 0 crystaizaon of favorable public
sentiment (2) experimental contests between
white and Negro of major league caliber larger
cities where reaction will be greatest and CD
tainment of total endorsement from Commissioner
nesaw NJ Lands and Organized Baseball institution
Most has been in Step Some
ed in Step Two. Step Three has not been scratched"
well, do you believe we could assemble team of Ne
gro stars that could hold its complete
in either or both of the big leagues?" the column was
then asked
"Why think there are at least two or three coIored
could dDerfOm in ther
loop and improve the showing clubs, ex-
ample, as the Philadelphia Philes and Washington Sen
atOrS.
Among these are the Kansas City Monarchs. Home
stead Grays Baltimore Elite Giants possibly
ark Eagles Pick the best players these teams and
form strong club and it would hold against
opposition like the New York Yanks, Brooklyn Dodgers ST.
Louis Cards, Boston Red SOX New York Giants Cleveland
Indians, and Detroit Tigers
It explained that players like Josh Gibson Satchel
Paige Buck Leonard and Hilton Smith compared favorsy
with highly pubczed stars like D Maggio Red Puf
flnp. IlnnnV