Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-10-18
SEGH AT LARGE
Bur Atmosphere
Suits Conn Fine
BY MORRIS sIEGEL

THE ACTION WAS MUCH better on the cabaret
sports beat the other night For change there was
genuine wo-fised sport in the house Usually the COM
pany is nobody more exciting than another sports writer
Billy Conn was on the premises The tavern atr1os-
phere ideal for the slcocky Ptsburgher VINO came
within and half of taking the heavyweight cham
pionshp away from Louis It practically Is his natural
habitat Most of his best fights took place in barroom
On an earlier visit to Washington Billy lived better,
but enjoyed it less. Several weeks ago the PttsDugn
dandy stashed away in the 15-bedroom mansion OF
distinguished millionaire pal who commutes petween
washington and Pittsburgh "His joint is so elegant
Conn remarked at creepy Breakfast in bed puterS
indoor swimming pools and that jazz the gang on ule
block would never believe it, but ole Billy was tnere
HOWEVER, TT WAS obvious that Billy regarded the
saloon as ideal forum for his capers Here he could
be with "is people," which this particular night In
cluded his fatso brother Jackie Jackie once was light
heavyweight fighter himself Today, Jackie is so blubbery
he could fight as entry
Jackie started the fight talk BILLY here won the
title" he said pointing at brother Bill bu ask him who
hit harder me him?"
"You were bum," Conn, the champ snorted. you
couldn't even tick college fighter That college guy from
Virginia. what's his name Mutt something ne fattened
you in Madison Square Garden. That's why you quit
fighting tell that Besides our old man could lick
both Of u.s."
It really didn't make any difference Neither did 1t
make any difference why the Dalton Brothers PARDON
the Conn brothers were in Washington. Whatever the
reason for their visit it quickly established 1t definite
y wasn't in connection with the drive to build cultural
center here
IT'S BEEN ALMOST is years since Billy last put
boxing gloves but not necessarily that long since he last
had fight He's 49, but he looks IS and ready He's still
as lppy as ever Which brings up funny story
IT made my first big in New York." he recalled,
when licked Fred Aposon That was dirty fight and
the dirtier got the better got We called each other
every name in the book in the ring"
they had to take the br0adcaSting mike
away and put it under the ring" He then gave an ex
ample of what he meant by dirty talk He did not under
state the episode.
Garden officials called the brash nshman into the
office following the fight and lectured him his ring
manners He was smash fighter they told him. but
any Of this stuff in the ring and they couldn't use
him.
IT told them they had the wrong guy, it Aposto
doing the cursing not me- used to be an altar boy
said You know altar boys don't talk like that They
said they believed me- but don't think They gave me
Apostoli to fight again. licked him and behaved. I
didn't want any more of him. Man, could he belt"
CONN Is NOT COMPLETELY disassociated with fight
ing He still bets EN-. Had the winner of all three
fights" he boased picked Liston,
too They're talking about another Patterson. TIN
be quicker than the first Liston amt human"
While Billy betting the kickapoo Juice around,
Jackie was trying to place food order in gin mill which
discoages diners He brooded only the chubby ones
when they're shut off from victuals.
Miss meal once in WHILE" Billy told his disap-
pointed brother. ut won't kill you This guy can break
joint with his appetite. Tell the story what you did
to TootS Shor once"
Jackie did. was in New York broke and went to
my man. shor You know what a brave man he is He
told me not to worry Just in his joint, eat all
want and don't worry about the tab.
HE even let me live with him at his Park avenue
apartment used to get up every day about 1890 in the
morning rush down to the joint and eat like whale for
breakfast Same thing for dinner One night Toots called
me aside and said issen, Buster, beginning tomorrow
I'm giving you Is bucks day not to eat here"
"And he saved money with that deal" Billy added.