The San Francisco call., 1897-03-11
WILL NOT COMPLAIN.
Corbett and Fi.zsimmons Likely to
Accept Referee SIler's
Rules,

CARSON, NEv., March 10-Bob Fitz-
simmons came into town to-day madder
than the proverbial wet hen. He had
heard of Referee George SiIer's announce
ment, as appeared in THE CALL yesterday,
to the effect that the famous Chicagoan
who Is to decide the great contest would
to-day formulate and give the rules which
are to govern the battle. and he claimed
that if Siler did this il would be treating
him unfairly. FItzsim mons has declared
all along that the referee had no right to
say what special rules should govern the
contest until the very day of the battle
itself. The particular clause which per-
mits hitting in the clinches and break
aways is what has bothered the Cornish
man. While he could never be made to
admit that he had any fear of meeting
Corbett at this game, still he advanced
the argument that it was unfair 10 have
the rules known in advance so that Cor
bett could perfect himself in the particu-
lar style of fighting laid down by those
rules. At one time he declared he would
not fight if Siler made his announcement
in advance.
Corbett, however, has said all along that
he did not care what rules were to govern
the contest, but he preferred that they be
known early, so that the public as well
as the fighters would have chance to get
familiar with the rules. Jim argued that
when the spectators were ignorant of the
regulations governing a contest they were
apt to hiss and cry foul" when in re-
ality no violation had been committed,
and consequently The referee and the
boxers were made to feel uncomfortable.
With Fitzsimmons clamoring for one
thing and CorbeIt's mind set on another
it would naturally be supposed that all
Referee Siler's troubles were not to be con-
fined to the ring proper. This might be
true enough in a measure, but not TO the
extent of adding any gray hairs to the
head of this greatest of all ring judges.
Siler is too old bird to be ratified by dis
putes OF this sort-he has been too long
wise sportsman. AS soon as it became
manifest that a wrangle over the rules was
in sight-and it was nearly two weeks
ago-Siler decided to turn deaf ear to
both pugilists and pursue the even tenor
of his way.
"If Corpett and Fitzsimmons can agree
between them upon any particular set of
rules, why, l am ready and willing 10
abide by them and see that the terms of
the agree ement are carried OUT said Siler
at the time, "but if they don't agree
within a reasonable time | will announce
the rules myself, and announce them
when get ready"
Argument on this point was dropped
after this, and for a fortnight nothing
more about rules was heard. Siler evil
dently came to the conclusion that the
reasonable time he had allowed to the big
fellows to reach an agreement had about
expired yesterday, and that is why he
announced that he was about to make
public the rules that would govern the
mill
Fitzsimmons' contract to be exclusive
did not prevent him from declaring on
the street this morning that he believed
Siler was giving him the worst end of the
deal.
"All have asked for in this case was
Justice" he declared to a number of
acquaintances. II told Siler and every
body else who spoke to me in reference TO
the matter that the easiest way to be fair
to both Corbett and myself would be to
announce the rules at the ringslde. That
would compel both of US to practice all
Substituting in clinches and square
breakaways-and would be as fair to one
as to the other. 1 am asking for no adj
vantage; l want none. When Siler held
off was led to believe that he was going
to follow up my suggestion, bat | see now
that he is not. But, then, 1 don't sup
pose there is much use OF kicking about it
now. l will take matters as they come.
and will linly fbat fa1l ;,,o{ n,
The fight is just week off yet, and it
may have been Siler's intention not to an
nounce the rules until Saturday or Sun
day. In TACT have reason TO believe that
such was really his programme. But /
also have authority for saying that George
had particular reasonable result of quite
recent occurrences-that actuated him in
making his announcement earlier than
he had intended. A day or two ago word
reached Carson to the effect that a tele-
gram was sent to Chicago from here by
close friend OF Siler, advising speculation
on Fitzsimmons chances. The recipients
of the telegram must have reached the
immediate conclusion that Sier was 60
ing to formulate rules that would suit the
Cornishman and put Corbett at sea, for
they began to bet on Bob and to distribute
their information among their friends.
This news reached both Siler and Cor
bett. The latter said he thought he was
entitled to some sort of an explanation,
and he received it promptly from the ref
cree in the shape Of declaration that he
was in no way responsible for the news
conveyed in that telegram. 1t was then
that Corbett suggested that the best way
to prevent any surprises at the ringslde
was to announce the rules as soon as pos
sible. Sier, after a moments reflection,
agreed that the Californian was right.
Siler's honesty has never been ques-
toned throughout his career in the sport
ing world, and this was not the time, he
concluded, to permit of even the slighte
shadow to bs cast ir his direction. This
is really what hurried him into declaring
last night that he would give the rules to
the world to-day. He sat up all night in
order to Keep his word. In reality only