view raw text
Four More Fight Pilots Suspended N. Y. Commission Defied by Guild DAmato, Melnick, Nelson, Bauer Refuse to Testify At Fact-Finding Inquiry : NEW YORK, N. Y., June 27. Four more fight managers were suspended indefinitely today when the International Boxing Guild openly defied the authority of the New York State Athletic Commission. The four members "of the IBCs New York Chapter were suspended for refusal to testify at todays resumption of the commissions fact-finding inquiry into Guild activities. They refused to testify upon advice of Murray Frank, attorney for the New York Chapter. Another faces suspension Tuesday unless he decides to testify then. Those suspended today wee: Custer DAmato, Bobby Melnick, Bobby Nelson and chapter-treasurer Charley Bauer. DAmato, owner of a downtown gymnasium, manages Floyd Patterson, second- ranking light-heavyweight contender," and several other boxers. His. suspension will not go into effect until July 7 because Patterson already is contracted to fight Archie McBride in New York July 6. Melnick pilots middleweight Ralph "Tiger" Jones and welterweight Larry Baker. His suspension goes into- effect Wednesday because Baker fights Jackie OBrien at Freeport, N. Y., Tuesday night. ... Treasurer Bauer manages welterweight Chris Christensen. Nelson formerly handled several boxers, but claims he has none now. He, Melnick and DAmato were alleged to have been "checkers" of 00 pay-i ments to the Guild whenever managers had fighters in television bouts. Cohen to Consult Own Attorney Irving Cohen, manager of light-heavyweight Billy McNeece and ex-middleweight champion Rocky Graziano, was given permission to consult his own attorney before appearing at Tuesdays final session. Cohen said today he had been advised by the Guild attorney not to testify, but he wanted time to have that advice confirmed or disapproved. Two other managers were suspended at last months sessions of the inquiry when they failed to appear before the commission in answer to subpoenas. They were Bill Daly of Englewood, N. J., treasurer of the International Guild, and his managerial associate, Tex Pelte of Englewood ,N. J. The previous sessions lasted from May 6-24. Chairman Julius Helfand of the commission angrily informed each of the four suspended today, "you are licensed in this state by .this commission. And the commission is directing you to answer these questions. But you are refusing because of the direction of an attorney for the Guild." Each of the suspended told Helfand, "The Guild attorney says the commission has no judisdiction over the Guild, and I ani directed not to answer your questions." " ...After Tuesdays final adjournment, Helfand and his two fellow-commissioners will consider the testimony of witnesses and decide "what, further action is to be taken." . The six, suspended throughout the inquiry, mad demand hearings before the commissian can revoke their licenes permanently. Meanwhile, the commission may take steps to ban the Guild in New York State, or to ask the district attorney for action against some members. Max Waxman, president of the New York Chapter, was unable to appear today because of illness. !
