The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-25
SALT LAKE CAN
GET BIG FIGHT
Rickard Says Business Men De-
mand Ii, and They Are
Welcome to 1t.
LOCATION is BEST IN
THE UNITED STATES
Would Bring Millions of Capt.
tai TO Utah, and No End of
Advertising.

TEX ElcESfd. INC NeNdGa mining
king, arrived in the city carly Friday
morning and was met at the depot by
large delegation Of business and news
paper m.u. The welcome was more
than Rickard anticipated and he had
not been in the city more. than an hour
when he said.
BOYS. tho Jeffries-Johnson contest for
the worlds championship belongs TO you
that IS, if YOU want it, have not
come here 10 stage this contest in the
face Of opposition. but IL the business
mon Of this state show me that they
are IN earnest ard desire the fight 10
take place here, viii hand it to them
ON large platter; and further, Will not
ask any one for "A cent All bills have
been paid, and while 1 consider that
Tire contest would bring more people and
more money into this city than n worlds
fair. there Is not n business man IN the
city who would be asked 10 dig up a
cent. There is not business man in the
United States that I have talked to but
what has said that the city lucky enough
20 land this contest would reap more
benedt from n financial standpoint than
1t could In hve years from any other
source.
For instance, the brokers and rich
men OF New York City say that it has
been their wish for long time to make
thorough investigation Of the mining
Industry OF the west. but up to the pres
to dc lit II. They W. would i'd all L. he Wiling to
come in July. tho dull month In New
York. for their vacation; No one can
estimate the value In advertising To Utah
that such visit by the nations richest
men would mean To this state.
Rich People Would Come.
The business men of Salt Lake say
that they all dug up for the Grand
Army encampment but only few
.t.,E I'D 81
contest TO me- they say that 80 many
rich people would come here. not only
Tor tho contest. but TO remain here for
a while. that all business would become
more active. Then again, the fight pic
lures would advertise the city for years
10 come These pictures are shown In
come from Salt Lake. l was surprised
10 what high pitch the most prominent
bankers, mining mon. rcal estate men
and others had been worked up on ac
OF me not TO allow IL TO go anywhere
else. 1t seemed TO be the sentiment of
the entire community that it was the
greatest opportunity I 'tah has ever had,
and from what the business men say,
they arc not going TO allow the contest
To slip away from them.
Law Is Defective.
"One Of the most prominent attorneys
OF this city Told me that the law upon
our statute books WAS defective: that
it was an exact duplicate Of the Califor-
mia Law, which has been tested in the
aupremc court several times and de-
feated, As a matter of fact. it Is said
that the California law was made I'm 1876.
before boxing glove was made. and
the courts have no Jurisdiction over
boxing contest, and l am told that |
could go ahead and promote this match
without interference, but this / am not
going 10 do.
II can pull the fight off in Nevada.
and should the business men here decide
.l..a-
California. The business mon have prom
ised TO take hold OF the matter and let
me know within thirty days what their
wishes in the matter. / personally
told them To take this length OF time in
order that no mistakes would bc made,
This Is an expensive proposition. and
cannot afford to have any mistakes
made. I WAS told today 10 go right ahead
with the contest, regardless OF a meet
ing Of the business men, but This re-
fused to do | give them thirty days TO
decide whether they want IT.
Best City in West.
II is being reported that San Fran
cjsro Iyili send agents TO this city to
aSitatc opposition against the contest.
so tllat the coast city can secure the
match. but several business men said
last night that II they caught any Of
the ngitators in the. city limits there
sWould bc something doing.
Eiclard said that while he was In the
east press reports hod reached him that
ne had 1Xed the state officials and that
he could go ahead and promote the
contest.
This is 4 mistake" said Hickard II
did rot see the governor OF any one
else. Wncn / CAME 10 this city and said
thQt WIS going east 10 get the fight.
several business men approached me and
asked me why not get ID for Salt Lake ?
Told them that 7 would do this IL they
so desired, as ! fully rcali2od that Salt
Lake vas in the heart OF The world s
srcates; mining district and would be
Tie best place 10 hold the match. Promi-
rIf.s.H s.l.f
present law was defective. They said
irl, II was made TO govern prize fight
ing and ia no say governed the pres
ent-d da;- el9ve contests. With this under
standing aad ASSURANCE from the richest
neoplc or tao cisy. ] went cast TO get
the contest for Salt Lake A. tho law
rcopic: there. no doubt. VIII oa some
opposition by few until they learn
where tho% are III. Bus when il comes
TiShi TO the point and the attorneys ad.
Vise Tie governor :iia tho contest can
bc held under the present law. then
know there will he no interference. A,
any rate ! am not worrying about that
Inc business men OF this city have the
matter In clEtrSe They are looking ~
The laws and are making preparations foI
the match. IL will be held somewhere
and would Ike 10 see this city get the
benefit lts M 10 the business men.
Good Reasons.
When the eastern. newspaper mei
asked nc Why had SWUNG the fight
mere tpln tuEln tiNdL ui1 II Slmpl!
because Salt Lake City is the livelies'
and bcst city IN the west to-day, ! sal,
That salt Lake hsd The biggest boon
IN tliis part OF the country. aud Thai
te people olt here had the money AN,
were good s!r"ndess. And ,,he paper;
bocstcd Salt Lake tiiy fine top.
~ matter of fact, don't thni
that oar estimate Of 10000 tickets viii
he enough. The seats VIII range in pric.
from s. 20 $50 running So. $40. SIS. so
sud SIS. then jumping 10 $50 FOR ring
side places.
Il; seemed IN New York as iho,IsI
everybody wanted To come out here l,
see this ilen5. Mr.. Thomas president ~
'he automobile company of that name
asked me To give him eight seats in ex
change for $1,000 bill
Everywhere it'a Salt Lake. Sal
Lake. al of tho Time. 7 certainly di,
my best to boos; this town. and take,
nbout Salt Lake everywhere / wen
"a The cast. The newspapers prute,
interviews. in which Dragged about Sal