Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-08
FRICTION OVER THE REFEREE
Bslsn Says II Britt Insists Upon Jsfffiss
There Will Ps No Fight,
BETTING CONES ALMOST TO sTANOsrlLL
Friends of the Former Champion say
He VIII Not Act when He Hears
Objections of Nelson's
Manager.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. III his friends
In this city are correct in their estimate
OF Jim Jefrries disposition. the former
champion will refuse to referee the Britt
Nelson fight when he arrives in San Fran
cisco late tonight. Jeffries Is Of an inde-
pendent mind and in view of the criticism
by Nelson's manager It is very likely he
will not act for any amount of money.
with Jeffries out Of the referee problem
attention naturally turns 10 Eddie Graney,
who has acted as referee in all the big ring
contests brought of in this city in recent
years. While the Britts have been insistent
in their objections to Graney, there is a
strong belief among sporting men that this
avowed dislike for Graney is not sincere
and that IL Jeffries declines to be further
considered Graney will be selected.
sale of Seats Falling on.
The uncertainty regarding the referee is
Affecting the sale of seats very seriously
II was said at Manager Coffroths head
quarters today that there have been many
cancellations Of reservations by out OF town
persons. who apparently have become dis
guested over the ceaseless wrangle. Unless
there Is a settlement by tomorrow morning
Coffroths estimate OF a $4,000 gate will
fall far short of that figure. with all the
uncertainty there will be an immense at
tendance.
Naturally betting has practically come to
a standstill. Bettors will not, Of course,
place their money until ell doubt as to who
is to make the decision has been settled.
Britt still is q strong favorite, the prevail
ing odds being 10 TO Z, with now and then
the more liberal odds of 10 to s. The work
of training is over. Both men are within
striking distance OF the weight and in per-
feet condition and will not find II neces-
sary to do any more hard work. Their
trainers are now giving their attention to
the important detail of holding them ION
edge"
NoIan's Strong objection.
Nolan, Nelson's manager, said this after
noon in regard to the referee:
II they try to force Jeftries on us there
will not be any fight. have conceded
everything else to the Britts and do not
intend to concede this referee matter.
The question of a referee is still
agitating the minds OF the sport
ing public. Everybody is expecting a
prompt solution the moment big Jim JEFF
fries arrives on the scene, and he is ex-
pected to come in late tonight from Los
Angeles. Jeffries does not know himself
whether he will referee. He wired Man
was expected to referee, and Coffroth re-
piled In the affirmative. "Then I shall
be in San Francisco Thursday night" re-
piled Jeffries. When he is on the ground
and the managers of the respective fight
ers can come together with Coffroth and
Jeffries 1t is the opinion OF the best posted
sporting men that an agreement will be
reached without further senseless parley.
Nolan, Nelson's manager, is still dis
posed to obstruct matters, but 1t is thought
that he has not influence enough with
Nelson to effectively block matters at this
point in the preparations In fact, Nolan
has lost a great deal in the eyes of the
sporting public by his tactics in refusing
TO accept Jeffries after having once ac-
eepted him. His one defense is; 'The fact
that Britt is such favorite in the betting
it doesn't look right to me-"
Seat Sale 1s Heavy.
Meanwhile the sale Of seats goes on at
lively rate. There are hundreds OF men
from cities far and near already on the
! scene and the out-of-town attendance is
a very large factor in the anticipated
record breaking crowd that will be at the
ringside next Saturday. There will be q
remarkable gathering Of sporting writer's
and sporting authorities from all over the
| United States at the ringside.
From New York and Boston TO the Pa
cihc coast almost every large city has
sent sporting writer's to pass judgment
upon the merits of the two sturdy boxers
and certainly there will be no lack of va
riety in the accounts of the battle sci
before the reading public.
Britt and Nelson have practically fin.
ished their hard training. They have
reached the stage where the question OF
weight is no longer an element in their
training and all attention is being paid
to the importance of keeping ION edge
| until the gong summons them to the fray
Both men are in as perfect condition as
| 1t is possible to put two normally perfect
| youthful athletes. The loser of the com
| ing contest can never hope successfully
to claim defect in condition as an excuse
| for defeat.