The San Francisco call., 1905-05-02
OAKLAND MAN
GETS The JOB
After Going Over Long List
of Names the Managers
Agree on a Dark Horse
LEVY BARS EASTERNERS
Selection a Surprise, for 1t
Was Expected That Dunn
or Welch Would Be Named

After going down the line and in
specting the names and regulations of
every man who ever refereed a prize
fight, or who ever hoped to perform
such function, Willie Britt and
Charley Mitchell last night agreed on
Eddie Smith of Oakland for the third
man in the ring when Britt and White
face each other Friday night. The
decision was reached only after a long
but pleasant argument, and both man
ayers and also Morris Levy, the club
power, expressed themselves as salts
fled.
The decision comes as surprise, for
day or two ago it was thought by
the wise element that Jere Dunn Of
New York or Jack Welch of this city
would be the only men in the field.
But the dark horse loomed up strong
at the final moment, and he carried
off the plum. Welch was passed up
for political reasons. while Dunn 8
name was dropped because he is an
Eastern man.
The contest finally narrowed down
to Eddie Smith. Phil Wand, Jack
Kitchen and Young Mitchell. After a
little argument Mitchell said Smith
looked good to him, and he would like
to have him referee the fight for the
reason he was the only man of the
four he knew. Britt was perfectly
willing, so the matter closed without
further ceremony.
Smith was not notified of the honor
conferred upon him last night, but he
doubtless knows all about it by this
time. There is hardly any reason to
think he will decline the offer, for he
has always been willing and ready to
take such jobs. Eddie is a popular
referee, and has always stood we'll
with the public and the fighters. He
has judged many a contest in this city
and Oakland and only a couple of
times was his Judgment questioned.
He made enemies by awarding Han
Ion hair-line decision over Yanger,
and also by declaring Forbes a winner
over Neil.
After Britt, Mitchell and Levy
got together last night they settled
down to: work immediately. Britt and
Mitchell commenced by writing names
of various referees on pieces. of paper
and exchanging them for comparison.
On the first slip they both named
Smith, but Mitchell later scratched
the name and the voting began a sec
ond time.
This time they both agreed upon
Harry Corbett. Mitchell said he felt
assured Harry would act, while Britt
was positive that there was no chance.
Corbett was called up on the tele-
phone. and as Britt expected fatty de-
clfned.
Then more names were exchanged.
Britt submitted the following list:
Tim Hurst, Jack Welch, Harry Cor
bett, Young Mitchell, Billy Roche,
Phil Wand. Jere Dunn, Eddie Smith.
Mitchelrs men were as follows: Jack
Welch. Eddie Smith, Harry Corbett
Johnnie Considine, Veteran" Al
Smith, George Siler, Jere Dunn and
Mark Shaunessy. Morris Levy said he
would stand for no Eastern man, so
all those hailing from the far side of
the Rockies were declared out.
Mitchell wanted Welch. and Britt
said he would agree on Jack any other
time but the present. He stated that
for various political reasons he did not
want Welch to officiate, and added
he understood the Potrero man would
not accept the place. The contest
/ then narrowed down to the four local
men who were eligible, and Smith
urOn ont