Arkansas State press., 1951-12-07
Everybody Has Advice For Louis;
But Nobody Offers Him Any Help


Joe Louis is great guy There millions who would
gree with this opening statement but there probably not
- many who have really considered how true the statement
t. This reporter present with his friends Dan Burnley and
Henry Brown the eminent earoons at Bacons Casino in
Chicago when Joe Louis had his first fight He has followed his
career snce-in and out of the ring.
Hundreds of writer's have told in deahless prose how much
Joe Louis has meant to boxing to his to his country and
what Louis has himself in terms of security which is
human but few have bothered to write much about
important along with prestige and community service.
Red Smith, the New York sports writer, makes point
when he says There great Negro fighters and great Ne
gro athletes before Joe Louis Joe Cans and Sam Lagod and
Duke and Paul Robson and Isaac Murphy But they
erent Just athletes; they Negro athletes, which
something else again. Ask Sam Langford
That changed with Louis Red continued Jackie Robin
con carried tremendous responsibility into organized
Baseball and he made good He did so and he has every right
70 feel And yet is quite possibly true that there couldn't
rave been in our Jackie Robinson with the Dodgers if
fbere hadn't been Joe Louis first"
Well what Joe Louis? He has been all the writer's
snd preachers have said he but what has ii meant to him
IN tangible things? has the public showed its appreciation?
During his life fighter, Louis has helped practically
III who asked of him. He is in trouble with the Government
over his and there many who believe he returned to
the ring announcing he would quit after the second Wal
est fight which he won In order to square things with Uncle
SAM
Louis has appeared benefits to help all kinds of causes
- cave 100000 to Army and Navy Relief he toured
camps during the home and abroad to entertain
troops He made many c and he has helped numer
s friends establish themselves in business He brought res
pcaby boxing and sustained the game for many years.
But what has he received?
As Al Monroe wont to say, II may be wrong but =.
can recall anybody giving Joe Louis automobile
nd lot Of valuable presents Has anybody ever paid off the
~ mortgage his home? Has anybody thought of es
talsng fund for his children? Has anybody ever
given a real Day for Joe Louis?
The champion must think these things he reflects
over 6 years and thinks of what has been said about
him. of what he has tried to do This must have cut deep
has and supported programs to honor others
Oo have flashed into the lmeght for contributing far less
lhan he has to public morale and nterracal goodwill
It Is doubtful Joe would it now because at this
point such would smack of benefit and the champion has
sroved he looking for charity But when they paid
e Larry Dobys mortgage considered CHARITY Just
e same may be too late for stop talking about how
great Joe was ought quit fighting and lot of other
trash join hands to do something really nice for the big
fellow.
In the meantime this reporter will string along with the
cap In whatever wants to do Naturally of want
20 zee him get hurt Inundated but he probably has been
hurt and Inundated by the treatment he has received
especially from many he has helped than ne could ever be by
a Marciano Or anyone else in the ring