The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-20
JEFFRIES OUGHT TO
GET HIS MONEY UP

Bat Masterson writes: What to me
appears somewhat peculiar at this
time is the fact that neither Jeffries
nor Johnson have been making any
reference whatever to the alleged for
feits both are supposed to have I'M.
While both have INDUCED in consider
able fight talk since Jeffries went IN
Europe, at which time both averred
they had deposited forfeits as an evil
dence of good faith for a match Meth
err has mentioned the matter since.
said then, and / again repeat. / don't
believe either man put UP a dollar.
The whole thing was a big bluff on
the part OF both. Jeffries gave 1t out
Just before starting for Europe that
he had deposited $4,000 in the hands
of local sporting editor as a forefeit
for a match with the negro champion.
stating at the same time that he would
be prepared to talk business with Mr..
Johnson as soon as the latter mad
covered his money.
Not to be outdone in the matter of
big talk and publicity, Johnson very
promptly came forth and had 1t an
nounced I'm the newspapers that he.
too, had put up an amount equal to
Jeff's in the hands of another sporting
editor in Chicago. Also that he would
be prepared to talk fight as soon as the
retired heavyweight covered his money
and there the matter stands.
This mucn both Jeffries and John
son must be given credit for They
certainly look upon the sporting fra
ternity of this country as fine aggre-
cation Of yokels. The idea that any
one with common sense would stand
for such a con game as they have been
trying to play is too ridiculous to talk
about.
1t may be safely stated that there is
not one person in hundred who has
read the slush about the forfeits that
regarded it as anything more than
newspaper bunk. 1t would be a safe
betting proposition, if there was any
way to prove it, that neither man has
up dollar and that neither mas any
'-.ttortion Of putting up a dollar in any
event.
But so far as that goes it isn't nee
essary that either should put UP for
feits in order to have a fight. If both
are on the square they can get to-
gether in the ring and decide the uues-
ton Of supremacy without forefeits
being put up, unless it would be to
insure their appearance in the ring.
which from present indications would
seem to be a necessary requirement.
It is the con talk about forefeits both
have been INDUCING in that is OBJ
jected to.
So far as Jeffries' statement to the
effect that ne would be ready in time
to fight Johnson is concerned, it really
amounts to nothing, The only proof
we have that he intends to do so is
the fact that he has said 500. -
: No articles Of agreement nave been
signed by either man. There has in
fact, been nothing done on the part Of
either that would lead any one to be-
lieve that they ever intended to fight
AS a matter of course, all who know
Jeffries believe that ne means to do
what he says, but there is little nour-
ishment in talk. In behalf of Johnson
1t can be said that he is in the country
and ready so he says. to ratify
match at any time Jeffries Is ready.
When Jeffries left this country he
announced that his manager, Sam
Berger, was authorized to go ahead
and make a match with the black
champion. From the way Berger has
been acting, however, it is doubtful If
he was given any sucn authorization.
At any rate, Manager Berger has not
ventured to go ahead. All Manager
Berger has been doing lately has been