The San Francisco call., 1905-08-27

"a
EACH. WANTS EDDIE GRANEY
BUT REFUSES TO NAME HIM
DISCUSSION LASTS FOR SEVERAL HOURS

After wrangling and fussing around
! from 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon till
| midnight, Willie Britt and Billy Nolan
left Manager Coffroth's office without
having agreed upon the man who Is to
referee the Britt-Nelson fight. Accord
ing to the agreement, they are supposed
to have forfeited the sum of $500 to Cof-
froth, but the manager graciously con-
sented to extend the time limit till 7:30
this evening, when the rival managers
will probably get together and agree on
Eddie Graney as the third man in the
| ring. Both are satisfied with him, but
each is waiting for the other to mention
his name. The other will then accept.
Both sessions were almost funereal.
Britt and Nolan sat In opposite corners
of the room and cast dagger glances
at one another. Occasionally they would
spring through with a flock Of names and
after a wrangle over these they would
| invariably settle down in their gloom
again to repeat the performance few
minutes later.
The session was the loneliest and the
dreariest that has ever marked the Sc
lection of referee in this city since
the game of fisticuffs was introduced,
and that was a great many years ago.
Neither Britt nor Nolan would listen
to any kind of an argument. but both
displayed great tact in the line OF
handing out a few sarcastic remarks
regarding the attitude of the other.
EASTERN MEN BARRED.
Most of Nolan's choices were East
ern men and, of course, Britt would
not stand for any of them. He wanted
local men. but none of the long list
of names he presented looked good to
Nolan. Finally Nolan suggested that
Britt spring a few more names. but
this Willis refused to do, saying he
had already exhausted his stock of
e1igibles and would rest for while.
Things went along in this manner
till the hour of midnight was at hand.
Then Manager Jim Coffroth arose SOL
emnly In his chair and declared he had
an ultimatum to issue. Up to this
time Coffroth said nothing at all re-
garding the referee proposition, but
he read off the following proclamation
to the assembled throng. informing
them it would be final:
eat the time Of signing articles antici-
pated the trouble that would ensue over
the selection of a referee, and to that
end suggested to both principals that
they name a referee within twenty four
or forty-eight hours after signing the
articles. Neither would agree to that
Finally pinned them down to the propo-
sition Of selecting the referee within two
weeks in advance of the bout. getting
them both to agree that in the event of
their failure to select referee at that
time to forfeit each to the club the sum
of $500, deposited with the stakeholder
as guarantee of the match.
II expressed at that time that did not
wish to interfere in any way with the
contestants or hinder them in selecting
whom they pleased. At this time feel
L
result of the disagreement tonight 1
have right to call upon the stake
holder for the $1,000 deposited with him.
do not wish to do that I, therefore,
will extend the time for the selection
Of the referee until 7:30 o'clock tomorrow
evening, August q, 1905. If at that time
the men cannot agree upon g. name, l
will name the referee myself. subject to
their approval. If they disapprove my
selection, the contest is off and I will
claim their forfeits. At this time will
add that the sum mentioned, 5000, will
not reimburse me for the expense to
which I have gone"
MANY NAMES MENTIONED.
When this was read the meeting broke
up. Britt and Nolan each cast another
furious glance at each other and then
solemnly filed out into the cold night.
When they get together tonight it is
dollars to toothpicks that the name of
Eddie Graney will be mentioned by some
one and before ten minutes has elapsed
the little blacksmith will be chosen to
Judge the big battle.
The name Of every man who ever re-
fereed q fight or who ever expected to
referee one was mentioned by Britt and
Nolan with the exception Of Eddie
Graney, Eddie Smith and Jack Welch.
Why these men were not brought to the
front is still. to be explained. 1t is safe
to say neither Of the managers figured on
the latter two and that they were holding
out for Graney.
Britt was for Jeffries. but Nolan would
not stand for the big fellow. He said he
would take Harry Corbett, but as the lat
ter would not act the question was set
tied on that score. Then Britt named
Colonel Brady, Jack Kitchen, Phil Wand
and Jere Dunn. but as none of them suit
ed Nolan the gloomy session set In once
again and monotony reigned for another
while.
During the evening session Nolan sug-
gested Meyer Murray, Billy Recap, Bat |
Masterson and Sammy Braunhart. the
Supervisor. Britt shook his head as each !
name was mentioned, and as nobody else |
in the house volunteered any assistance |
they let the matter go at that.
BY their action the managers are
strengthening the belief that the winner
take-all proposition, the 10000 side bet
and other frills they put on the match |
are merely advertising appendages and
are not genuine. The mystery as to why I
Nelson. fighter, refuses to accept JEFF
fries, fighter. who would appreciate the
style of milling. Is mystery. The Dane /
will apparently be among the "also rams.
to THE Bobby, 90 (Freernan) 4 n13
20 to 1-Old Mike 80 (Jackson). 3 Il 2 n
3 to Fair Reveier, 50 (Swain) 20
Time, 2:22 1-5. Start good. Won easily. I