Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-29
WILEY jim AND careful JACK
How the Two Big 'Uns Are Dodging
a Fight.
PUBLIC Is PAYING FOR THE FUN
Properly Managed Maneuvers Bring
Many Dollars to the Box office
and the Meeting Is sim
Far OFF.
'LIC Is PAYING FOR THE FUN

optimism is a mighty good thing to be
imbued with. Especially so is this quality
desirable when a calm student Of things
fistic reviews the Jeffries-Johnson situa-
ton. 1t Is over a half year now that the
giant Galveston negro administered a
sound trouncing TO willy Tommy Burns at
R~ushcutter's Bay, Australia. Immediately
a hue and cry was raised in sporting cir
Giles, here and abroad-but more so on our
own shores-for James J. Jeffries, the UNI
defeated champion, to come to the eau
casion race.
At first Jeffries refused TO heed the
clamor. He wanted to be let alone. to
enjoy secluslon out at his California alfalfa
farm. But the public would not have II so.
So Big Jim came out of the woods with a
blare of trumpets and commenced a most
lucrative theatrical tour. Would he fight
Johnson? Well, it was too early to say;
besides the tour was good for twenty
weeks, and it would have been foolish to
relieve public suspense, while he and big
Sam Berger, his manager-sparring partner,
were coy and reticent with large audiences
as to whether Jim would champion the
White race" Interest in the eternal ques-
ton augmented and box office receipts in
creased. Next came a lull, the public
grew wary, and then the fine master hand
VI an tHleTpIlSlnB press agent was out
lined behind the affair when it was an
nounced that Jeffries would declare his
intention OF fighting Johnson az a local
vaudeville theater. The information was
furnished in advance, thanks to genial
Samuel, the far coast haberdasher, and
great was the crowd that attended.
But then came another luIl and things
looked bad again. But Berger Is a most
handy man to nave around and the sport
ing world awoke one morning in July to
hear that Jeffries' manager had declared
that his charge was hopelessly out Of con-
dition and that a bout with the negro was
out OF the question. Once more the crowds
f'ocked to witness the histrionic stars,
only to hear a denial of the report. Mean
while the situation was throbbing with in
terest. And then Jeffries posted a 5000
forfeit for a match with the negro.
Things indeed looked rosy for the bout. But
the so-called forfeit means nothing. 1t
Is not binding in any way. and If Jeffries
does not fight he can withdraw the money.
However, 1t is reassuring 20 a certain ex-
tent and the hearts of the enthusiasts beat
joyfully within them. Incidentally the
con pletely fareical aspect of the so-called
forfeit was shown In the fact that John
son refused to forward his 5000 to New
York, but handed it over to a Chicago
sporting man.
Now Jeffrles has gone to the old world
presumably to take the baths at Carlsbad.
Veteran sporting men who nave followed
the erstwhile boilermaker very carefully
for the last half year state that his wind
Is I'm deplorRble shape, VIII he ever round
into condition? Mike Murphy, the traine
of the last American Olympic team, is au.
thOrity for the statement that he will not
And Murphy has come to be looked upon
as an authority In the art of handling
athletes. If Jeffries really takes the baths
while abroad and strives hard to get into
condition, the enthusiasts may take a new
lease on life and congratulate themselves
once more on the fact that there will be q
battle between the negro titleholder and
Jeffries.
Recent developments in the situation
however, have placed Sam Berger in q
ludicrous light and made the world fistlt
rather sceptical when Jeffries departed
for foreign strands he is said to nave told
Berger TO talk over matters with tn,
promoters and to deal in congratulations.
Now Samuel is a most enterprising youth
and would like nothing better than to SCI
his idol squared off against the big negro
Accordingly Berger journeyed TO Chicag,
TO meet Johnson, signed up a set OF articles
that half bind Jeffries. All looked yer!
fine for 4 bout when the cable clicked
over from England the doleful tidings tina
Jeffries had ~repudiated every act of Der
gers upon his arrival at southampton.
And as just how the matter stands. JEFF
fries and Johnson are no nearer TO meet
ing than they We're when the now n~otoriou.
controversy was inaugurated many month";
ago. VIII they meet? Only a seer coul'
tell, but not until James }. Jeffries of To
Angeles, and Jack Johnson Of Galveston
meet in a ma~tch-deciding conclsve vii
something tangible be Offered to the pub
Hes gaze. At present the heavyweight
pugilistic situation Is a very confused MAJ,
of foolish defies and enterprising pres
agent notices.