Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1951-12-01
Joe Louis Greatest FIGHT

We've been trying to think up something to say
about Joe Louis the great fighter and former worlds
Heavyweight Champion since his defeat the other
week by Marciano. What wanted to say, we found
to have been far better said by Raymond Moey in a
ent issue of News Week Magazine. Here's what Mr..
Moey had to say:
1t should be recorded for the history books that at
time when cynical contempt for morality has reached
the highest places in the land unlettered member of
rising from slavery has held the light of integrity
high enough for all Americans to see. Time when
moral example from high office Now the inspira-
ton comes from below the line of privilege and oppor
tunity
The Louis saga hardly needs to be told. youngster
with little schooling and handicapped by his color
attracted attention by his brawn his courage and
willingness to work and learn He entered trade rdded
with shoddy morals and peoped in part by the under
world He shuffed ahead in this track asking favors,
meeting all comers with boast, an abi,
and never default. No champion in his class ever
fought often and consistently His professional
contacts were sometimes with grmy people, but sports
writer's tell that of the CRIME came off on Joe
And something in him measuraby made them better
and prize fighting better.
Then the when he was at the very top of
his capacities and earning power He did his duty and
returned an old man fighters 60 He returned find
times were good and the land was flush with money
Joe was hard up and burdened with debt
Yes he had made great deal when pretenders
falling before his skill and strength But his bust
ness was fighting, not finance He had made mistakes
as did many OF the rest of He managed his money
badly Great had faded away through bad invest
ments Whoever helped him with the mysteries of the
income tax had not done well. Louis owed the govern
menC great deal.
1t never occurred to him to do anything but pay
Dozens OF gamblers had big money his fights and &C
cordng to Senate committees either failed to paw taxes
at all or fixed the government That was NOT the wav
Louis fought.
Joe had obligated himself to pay what seems an ex-
ceSsVe amount to his former wife for the support of If
tie Joe and Jacquene His annuity nest egg of $50 600
ne had given away to needy buddeS in the army So he
scraped together what he could and started to pay the
government Finally there way to pay more ex-
cept TO put on the gloves and fight again.
This was dreadful personal choice He knew that
10 go on IN the ring when what sports writer's call Gre
IexeS are failing is to end dazed deaf and wess de-
rellct Before him the example of Sam Iangford
who fought them all in his day but ended blind and
pehhess IN back room in Harlem. This risk Louis took
because ne was an honest and fighting was the onlv
way to pay his debts and clear the slate
Those fights this past year or more were not
Ihe eXnlpuons, but they ought to be remembered as
e most glorious OF an unparalleled career The pnsh
ments Louis took the long grnds of training the dsan
poCentS when his body could not do what his brain
too IL TO do would have destroyed less vital character
FOR IN there against him subjective matters which
ne was Trying to beat-the humiliation of debt the
unreal OF dependence and the temptation compromise
When an awkward youngster named Maricano drove
nm through the ropes, perhaps for good he still owed
the government. Even then he refused to ot Ho cove
ne must think about it. That means he must find ou+
how much more there is to paw ~ ~
MeahWnlle, we see the evidence accumulate that II
10 o1 LOUIS nuG the American people who are suffering
humiliation All the nation there is anneain th
sordd record of Internal Revenue officers we'll ocod
poical lawyers, and businessmen who have found 4
cheaper 10 of1De than to pay taxes The infection hos on
parenty spread in the Bureau Internal Revenue Tine
VIII tell how high it went. 1t is shameful lesson to
careless generation. ~ ~
1t remained for Joe Touis to rono;nd nc e Ill
American integrity used be- should be and can no