The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-30
JEFFRIES-JOHNSON
 SIGN FOR THEF|GHT
Will Go FOrty-fve Rounds or
 More to Finish
CONTEST BEFORE JULY 5
Club Offering Best Terms Will Get
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New York, October Johnson and James J. Jeffres-t egro in sisted that, as champion, e should go frst-slgned articles ork late today binding them to T more rounds to a finish. not July 5. 1910. before the club o best financial inducement, the take a side bet of S10.oO0 and [ of the purse. the loser to tals ssy t.
 The preliminary discussiolS ad. uled for o'clock in the 4fssd.t Of the Hotel Albany. Jefrrses and his man ager were punctual to the minute, but Johnson elbowed his way diffidently through the crowd 10 minutes late. At the table, as the men took their places, sat Jefrries, with Bob Vernon at his left Samuel Berger, his manager, at his right, and other sporting men. Jeffries eyed the negro curiously, but did not meet his glance.
 Johnson was affable, but showed ner- vousness by his constant grins and the display of two red dice.
 Both principals posed for the photog- rapher and when the smoke of the fash lights had cleared promptly got down to business.
 Jeffries let Berger do his talking, but Johnson broke in frequently on his man. ager, George Little, with suggestions and objections
 It was agreed without dispute that the men would box for the heavyweight championship of the world"
 Johnson Wants Name First.
 At this point Johnson insisted that the present champions name should pre- cede the retired undefeated champions name in the agreement TO this Jeffries assented. Berger then suggested that the fight go to the club making the highest responsible bid within the next 30 days. Little agreed, but Johnson, shaking his head dubiously, asked that each bid be accompanied by $5OOO forfeit as a guar antee of good faith. Jeffries nodded and Berger gave his assent.
 And have a man on the ground with the coin," stipulated Johnson. The sten- ographer inserted a clause to that effect.
 So far it had been easy sailing, but when the question of a referee was raised the crowd edged forward expectantly. Little. for Johnson. wanted to name his choice. For the first time Jeffries broke in: Let the club that gets the bid have a word,'' he ordered. They've got as much at stake as we have. Let it wait" Little was for arguing the point, but Johnson was all conci1iation. Well, let it go,' he urged. That's all right"
 The number of rounds was ntxt in order.
 ''So far as I go,'' said Jeff, q don't care if it's G. 20 or 100 rounds; but I know what the public will demand, and I am going to see they get it-it means a finish fight"
 At this the crowd cheered until Bob Murphy had to OutrOar them for order But Johnson was not satisfied. He feared a San Francisco club, where only 20 round bouts are allowed, might get the bid and in that event, insisted that 20 rounds should be specified
 Then Frisco won't get the fight" an- nounced Jeffries decisively. Make it 45 rounds more.
 The negro swallowec his objections.
 Division of Purse.
 There was still the rock on which most agreements split-the division of the purse. To the surprise of the crowd both men protested that they were willing to fight, winner take all or 60 and 10 per ceDts or 75 and 9 per cent, and on the latter basis it was settled s The side bet caused more difficulty. Jeffries wanted to wager $200O0. Johnson, more cautious. offered 5000. Little, his manager wanted to lay the money, ring side odds, "as a business proposition" AS a compromise they agreed to let the s5O00 already posted to secure today's meeting stand, with $5000 additional to be added for both.
 "All right" assented Jeffries plaintive- iy But I wanted that $20000.'
 great roar of laughter went up from the crowd and Johnson grined. Bob Murphy, manager for the Hotel Albany, was chosen as temporary stakehoIer,