Evening journal., 1909-10-30
BIG FIGHTERS
ARE SIGNED UP
JeffrieS And Johnson Will
Fight As Rounds Not Later
Than July 5

binding them to fight As or more
rounds TO a finish, not later than July
8, 1910, before the club Offering the
best financial inducement the winner
10 take a side bet Of $4,000 and 75 per-
cent of the purse. the loser TO take
% per cent.
The preliminary discussion was
scheduled for 3 o'clock in the banquet
hall of the Hotel Albany. Jeffries and
his manager were punctual 10 the min
ute, but johnson elbowed his way
difhdently through the crowd ten min
utes late. At the table, as the men
took their places. sat Jeffries. with Bob
Vernon at his left and Sam Berger.
his manager, at his right: Johnson,
George Consldine, Honest john Kel-
ley. Sam Harriss, Sam Nelson, Bob
Murphy and other well-known sporting
men.
Negro Carries Dice.
Jeffries eyed the negro curiously. but
did not meet his glance. Johnson was
affable, but showed his nervousness
by his frequent grins and his constant
clicking of two red dice. which he car
ried half concealed in the palm OF his
right hand.
Both principals posed for their photo
graphs and, when the smoke of the
flashlights had cleared, promptly got
down 20 business. Jeffres let Berger
do his talking, but Johnson broke in
frequently on his manager with sug-
gestions and objections Nevertheless,
Il was remarked as the articles took
form that Jeffries was winning nearly
every point for which he conteuded.
II was agreed. without dispute, that
the men would box for the heavy
weight championship of the world"
Negro Wants His Name First.
At this point johnson insisted that
the present champions name should
precede the retired undefeated champ
ions name in the written agreement.
To this Joffres quickly assented. Ber-
ger then suggested that the fight go
to the club making the highest re-
sponslble bid within the next 30 days.
Little agreed, but oJhnson, shaking
his head dubiousy. asked that each
bid be accompanied by $1,000 forfeit
as a guarantee of good faith Jeffries
nodded and Berger gave his assent.
Stenoerspher Counted Out.
"And have a man on the ground with
the coin" stipulated johnson. The
stenographer inserted a clause TO that
effect, but when asked to read his notes
was seized with such bad case Of rat
ties that he had TO be excused while
a newspapr man took his place.
So far II had been easy sailing, but
when the question of the referee was
raised the crowd edged forward ex-
pectantly. Little. for Johnson. want
ed TO name his choice. For the first
time Jeffries broke in.
Let the club that gets the bid have
word" he ordered. They've got
as much at stake as we have. Let II
wait" Little was for arguing the
point but Johnson was all concillatlon
"wen. let It 60" he urged; that's all
right"
Jeff Wanted Finish Fight.
The number Of rounds was next in
order. 80 far as I go" said Jenrles,
'I don't care II it's c. 10, 20 or 100
rounds; but l know what the public
will demand. and I am going TO see
they get it--it means a finish'
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"
announced Jeffries decisively make
II As rounds or more" Swallowing
his objections previously voiced. the
negro agreed.
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
We're willing to fight winner take all
or 50 and 40 per cent. or 75 and %;
and on the latter bases it was set
tied
jeff for $4,000 Side Bet.
The side bet caused more difficulty
Jeffries wanted TO wager $4,000 John
son more cautious. offered $1,000. Little
his manager. wanted TO lay the money
at ringside odds, "as a business prop.
osition.' As "a compromise they agreed
20 let the 5000 already posted TO Sc.
cure to-day's meeting stand. with $500
additional % ho added forthwith.
"All right assented Jcnries plain
lively, but I wanted that S2O.0O0.'
great roar Of laughter went up iron
the crowd. and even johnson grinned
Bob Murphy, manager Of the Hote
, Albany. was chosen as temporary
stakeholder. the final stakeholder to b'
chosen by the club.
"No, suh,' said Johnson. Il has
, say where my money goes"
THE club has more 10 say thar
either of us put i'm Berger.
'No man has more TO say about ~,
money than ! have" affirmed johnson
shaking his head, yet he yielded whil'
, protesting.
Bout 10 be in Open Air.
Now only one crucial point remain
ed: When would they fight? AS
finish fight was agreed on il was tn,
consensus of opinion at the match
makers table that either Nevada Of
California must get the winning bid
With 80 days for the bids to come il
and go days more for the men TO con
dition themselves in the weather at tn
earliest would be too wet in Cali
fornia and too cold in Nevada. Boil
men agreed that, TO accommodate tn
huge crowd sure TO attend the bou
0ust be held out OF doors. Berge
further urged the necessity for ampl
training time. and IL was finally set
. tied that a day mot later than Jul,
! s. 1910" be chosen. The deal wa
. closed
Again the principals posed for IN
\, fashlight men. champagne was serve
! while the articles were being type
written and at $40 the binding sigma
! lures were affixed aud witnessed
! The Real Article at Last.
/, The article follows:
An agreement entered into this da,