Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-01

ANGLE
Trapped on a TreodmiU
By LEWIS r. ATcHIsoN

THE TROUBLE WITH being prize fighter, to hear
Joe Louis tell it, is that ride around in solid gold
Cadillac day wake up the next morning owing the
room rent Joe the first to get kayoed, financially
and won't be unless something done to remedy
the tax situation.
Henie Miller former chairman of the District Boxing
Commission suggests that collection especially among
the people Of Louis for whom he did so much
might help solve Joes problem But suppose there's tax
on that! What's the next step2
Bombardng Congress with pleas for special law to
relieve Louis obviously isn't unless the slate is wiped
clean for every in the same plight The Govern
ment could repeal the income tax law, Corinne Griffith
thinks it should could retire to foreign country
for couple years recoup These solutions seem remote
however.
Joes biggest fault was negecting to study certified
public accounting before acquiring the heavyweight cham
ponship easy during the bum Of the month
era and easy CO. Where all went Louis doesn't know
Those close to him Joe would have gone through the
money faster If his first wife, MarVa Trotter hadn't
put her foot down. Now the Government wants tax paid
the funds Joe up for his W children by Marva
and win be interesting to how comes out It seems
that every time Joe looks there's man there with
another bill from Uncle Sam It's getting monotonous
WITH MOST FIGHTERS it easy come, easy go In
the old days. being punched around could be called an
easy way make dollar Witness Sugar Ray Robinsons
impetuous promises after recently lifting the middleweight
from Bobo Olsons dazed head In an mpusve burst
Of generosity Robinson promised cash benefits to this
ganization and that like politician in an election year,
apparently overlooking stable tax bill.
"He must have thought he won Knox" thought
full observer commented
Fighters of course long have considered VIGOROUSLY
poor business men, with exceptions like Gene Tunney
It simply for granted that manager was smarter
than his fighter though neither had gotten beyond
the fourth grade and in most cases was true Probably
stil is although there have been glaring examples OF
Encouragement
THERE WAS THE FILM incident for example, in the
Lous-Buddy Baer bout at Grifith Stadium in 194l. The
company that acquired the movie rights to the night
backed out at the last minute probably thinking the
action would brief to be recorded proaby by the
camera Promoter Mike Jacobs, taking no chances OF
missing surprise hit hired Independent camera
man to make the film.
Dick oBren then acting secretary of the District
Boxing Commission says Jacobs asked him to motor out
to Baers training camp at Oney, Md where Mike asked
Manager Anc Hoffman he wanted to gamble on making
money films of the fight.
"sure sure Hoffman said anything you do is okay
with me- Mike"
Don't give me that" Jacobs replied "Lemme some
dough-"
To make brief Hoffman promised to call Mike that
night after talking 1t over with Buddy but didn't do It,
the day before the fight The next night Baer
knocked Louis through the before losing dis
qualification in rounds The Aim earned some $250OO0
and Buddy didn't get dmeall because Hoffman either
forgot to make the promised phone call or decided
wasn't worth the gamble.
THAT'S NEITHER HERE nor there in Louis The
problem how to get Joe of the tax readmil and how
guard against future Joe hit the solu
ton it to in his recent magazine article when he
said the tax money should be deducted from purses before
the fighters paid Or else the Government should scan
the tax returns of athletes and entertainers promptly to
catch any errors and not wait several until the
money is spent.
To us it seems plain enough that the Government is
trying to whip that ageod problem of getting blood out Of
turnip In Joes 1t can't be done. The tax people
may as we'll take settlement and let 1t 60 at that.
(Fyaneis Stann conductor Of Win, Lose Or Draw. 10
saeaon His column Be resumed February a. In the
i.s''i~. staff ~'it''' Of The r' ~in 'i"sA'h'o