Evening star., 1944-04-20
Education Board
DeIaysAction on
Boxing Glasses !
Comdr. Gene Tunney
Quotes From 'OthelIo'
At Special Hearing

whether to give boxing instruction
in the senior high schools, despite
Endorsement by Comdr.
Gene Tunney, u. s. N. r.: Commis-
sioner Guy Mason and eight other
speakers at special boxing hearing
held yesterday. The question was
referred to the Student Activities
Committee.
Boxing is the most intellectual.
lied and noblest of sports" Comdr.
Tunney declared. Such authors as
Homer, Hazlitt in the 10th century
and later George Bernard Shaw
wrote in praise of boxing, he said.
I'VE must not believe, however,"
Comdr. Tunney said, that because
great classicists write charmingly
about the sport that it is all fine
and left to itself will develop char
acter and fitness"
Explaining that he feared "eom.
mercialism might come from be-
hind" to taint high school boxing
here, the former heavyweight box
ing champion urged that only anna
teur boxers, with the pure an.
proach" be hired as instructors.
Quotes From "Othello."
Comdr. Tunney interjected classi-
cal writer's into the discussion for
the second time when he quoted
from "Othello," by William Shake
speare, to answer the 16-nne free
verse poem with which he was in
troduced as gentleman, scholar
and champion" by c. Melvin
Sharpe, board member.
Speak to me as I am" Comdr.
Tunney said, identifying the quota
tion as Othello's.
Spectators crowded the room to
listen to the advice session." first
ever held by the board. The sex
perts" were rounded up by Thomas
p. Morgan, jr., member of the Box
ing Commission who offered com.
mission revenues to pay for the
instruction. Commissioner Mason
stressed however, that the Commis-
sioners would prefer to ask for a
direct appropriation from Congress
to teach boxing as part of the gem
eral physical fitness program.
While pledging support of the
Commissioners, he emphasized that
the instruction must have mo tie
IN with professional sport" and
must start in a reasonable way.
healthfully fostered."
Controversy on Injuries
Controversy developed between
the speakers when Maj. Arthur
Esslinger. of the Surgeon Generals
office, said injuries eventually hap
pened" in all boxing programs.
Comdr. Tunney retorted that a
black eye or bloody nose never hurt
anybody, and developed courage and
craftsmanship. Others vino said IN
Ijuries can be avoided by tire OF head
gear and 16-ot111ce gloves were EdIis
Lafond, physical instructor, Catholic
University; F. Rubini, head boxing
coach, University Of Maryland and
Robert Mavity, physical education
director director Fairfax County High
Frank A. Norton, administrative
assistant to William E. Leahy, Dis
trict Seiective Service director.
quoted Mr.. Leahy as approving the
proposed instruction, if carefully
supervised. Capt. Edward Fitzger-
aid represented Brig. Gen. John T..
Lewis, commanding general, Military
District of Washington, in approv-
ing boxing instruction.
If approved by the board and SUD-
ported by an appropriation from
Congress, the boxing instruction
would begin experimentally in three
senior high schools from December
l, 1914, to March Is, 1945. Instruc-
tors would be given special training
before undertaking the course.
The board yesterday also received
a request from the Navy Depart
ment to move the Patterson School
next fall to be used as community
house at the Navy housing project
at Bellvue. The Recreation Board
has also asked for the building, to
be replaced by a permanent struc-
ture further away from the run
ways at Boiling Field. Decision be-
tween the Navy and the Recreation
Board will be made at the next
board meeting December 3.
Board members are also contin.
uing their study of proposed salary
revisions, including raising elemen-
tary school teachers $500 from their
present basic pay of ST 400 and the
superintendent from $4,000 to
$4,000.