Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-05
REFEREE SUBJECT
NOW IN ORDER
0'BRIEN STARTS TRAINING At
VENICE
Burns and the Phlladelphlan Have Not
as Yet Come to Terms Regard
ing the Third Man In
the Ring

| JdCh " bTlen, VINO arrived from Sdn
Francisco Saturday will commence
training at the Venice auditorium to-
day for his match with Tommy Burns,
which is to occur Thanksgiving eve
intead of November 20, as had been
previously arraAged.
Family ties should be considered
on holiday such as Thanksgiving" is
the way McCarey puts 1t, and as a
result the battle has been set for a
day previous to the original schedule.
O'Brien's mother and sister are to
arrive from Philadelphia this morning
and will probably remain in Los Ange-
les during the winter The Quaker has
dabbled somewhat in real estate dur
ing the last few weeks and is prepar-
ing to invest further should his COM
ing affair with Burns prove success
full.
Although the hour of battle is yet in
the distance, question as to who shall
referee the bout has already arisen.
Just what will be done remains for the
near future to develop. Neither Jack
sion as to what he intends. to do con-
cerning the all-important feature.
When the situation was broached
prior to the signing of articles, Burns
said that he was willing to accept
Eddie Robinson as referee. O'Brien
talked of George. Siler, but did not
positively hold out for the veteran
judge of ring events. f4
With the referee question bound to
arise sooner or later, the subject of
why Los Angeles, the boxing center of
America, should not possess a man of
national reputation to render official
decision is in order. ..5.r.
Chicago has it's Siler, San Francisco
its Graney. Why has Los Angeles not
its somebody in the referee line?
Charley Eyton proved competent
ring official during his term, but has
declared that he will never again act
as third man between the ropes.
Eddie Robinson, who Is at present
acting as official referee of the Pacific
Athletic club, appears to be the only
local man in sight for the position,
and it would seem as though there is
no need of searching elsewhere for
material. a.
Robinson has, it is true, been criti-
cised, and most severely, his decision
at the Attell-Baker contest resulting
In something of a demonstration. So
far as Robinson's Judgment in that
particular instance is concerned he
could have done nothing to raise him
self higher in the estimation of those |
who wish a ring contest to be decided |
along lines of a strictly meritorious
nature. Az
Robinson realized fully what would
occur when he gave the decision |
awarding Attell a victory. The. most |
sympathetic crowd ever gathered at
the local arena wished Baker to win
and wished it Enthusiastically. The game
little fellow put up a great battle, but
would not meet Attell sufficiently to
secure a draw.
That Robinson unhesitatingly rem
dered what he deemed was right
him as one willing to abide
by his conviction and after the wave
of sympathy which existed in Baker
quarters subsided somewhat it was adj
mitted that Robinson had given sthe
only decision justifiable. 3'r,
Baker had challenged a champion,
and to win the title 1t was necessary
that he should at least meet the holder
half way. This Harry did not do, and
there is reason to believe that twenty
round bettors had more or less infiu-
ence over him by their constant calls
from the ringside that he stay away.
Baker has just turned eighteen and n
of that age may be excused
FOR becoming somewhat confused under
the circumstances. is.
A noticeable feature of Robinson's !
work has been that marked improve |
IloII edCIt ouSCcSullS
appearance in the ring. 1t is no easy
matter, that of officiating between the |
ropes, and the coolest judge In the
world could not be touted as above the |
mistake region. I.
Some one must be chosen. to decide |
Los Angeles ring contests, and who
ever it may be that one should possess
The confidence not only of his club btit |
Of the public as well. Given ample
of proving worth there APP
pears small reas son why some such in
1ividual cannot distinguish future
ring affairs in Los Angeles. tt2
Robinson, as boxing instructor of
The Jonathan club, holds a position
hat would not bear tampering. with so
FAR as his reputation is concerned. He
IS held in the highest esteem locally,
and with his experience it is difficult to
reason why he should not make an
deal referee.
Nearly fifty years of age, but ap-
oearing scarcely a day over thirty-five.
Robinson stands as an example of what
clean living may accomplish. He ap-
pears to possess the underpinning of
4 top notcher, and that he may become