Mass Meeting — circa 1943 — #18323_1
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Photograph Copyright Anderson & Middleton Company
United States — Washington (State)
International Woodworkers of America
Thanks to Sam Talley who notes: "This meeting was held in a local gym boxing ring which held boxing matches. These local boxing matches were called 'smokers', possibly because of all the smoke in the hall from cigarettes and cigars, even though a 'No Smoking' sign was often prominently displayed. Although officially listed as amateur bouts, they were really professional prizefights with the boxers paid for their 'training expenses' instead of cash prizes. This writer's grandfather, George Bowen of Cosmopolis, saw many of these matches. Fights were conducted under the auspices of private clubs like the American Legion, Eagles, Elks, etc. Once in a while a local boxer like the 'Aberdeen Assassin', Leo Lomski (see photo #11460_1), got national recognition."
