The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-21
JEFF ARRIVES TO-DAY
Sam Berger Says Articles
Will Be Signed.
MAY FIGHT IN DECEMBER
BOilermaker, According 20 His own
Statement, Is Down 10 $50 Pounds,
and There should BE No Delny in
CIInching johnson Mateh-FOrty-
five Rounds Would Suit Fans.

New York, Oct 20-James j. Jeffries
Is expected to arrive here on the Lusi-
tania tomorrow. For nearly three
months he has been in Europe. but he
has not allowed pugilism to escape his
mind. Even at Carlsbad. while taking
the mud baths. he could not get away
from the question:
will you fight Jack Johnson
In Paris and London Jeffries answered
this query in the affirmative and added
that he would whip the big colored
champion easily but he did not hint at
the possible date and also intimated that
a purse Of $15O,0C0 would be the only in
ducement for him TO go back 10 the prize
ring.
At least all these things have been
cabled here. with the result that public
opinion seems to be divided as to Jeffries
plans regarding the Johnson mill
Sam Berger, Jeff's manager, arrived IN
town to-day. and gave out the usual
long-winded statement TO the effect that
Jeffries would surely fight and would also
knock Johnsons block of. He declared
that Johnson's victory over Ketchell
didn't mean much. inasmuch as # was
an outrage to allow the little white man
TO go 10 certain defeat He also laughed
at the story that Jeffries would never
fight again. and said that as soon as the
boilermaker stepped down the Lusitania' s
gang plank he would convince everybody
that he intended to take Johnson on at
he earliest r,oeeghla ruounpnf
It's squareIy Up to JeR.
II Jenries is anxious TO put an end 70
the doubling Thomases who have been
discrediting his promises for months. he
Will reach an agreement with Johnson
without haggling. Jeffries has $500 in
cash posted in this city. and he viii prob
ably call Johnson's attention TO It. Fair
minded sporting men, who are eager to
see the big battle arranged. say that Il
the pugilists are sincere they can get TO
gether under an agreement OF this kind:
4 contest of fOrty-five rounds OF three
minutes each. With four-ounce gloves,
FOR the largest purse offered by a re-
sponsible promoter. with a side bet of
$1,000. to be posted IN fun as a forfeit for
appearance, the date to be not more than
three months after signing articles.
II Jeffrses and Johnson afix their sig
natures To such a tentative agreement
and post forfeits. there will be numerous
offers for the mill. but there is only one
place in this country where Il can be
pulled or without interference, and where
enough money can be taken In 90 cover
the amount Of the purse and expenses.
California is the logical battle ground,
and James Coffroth, Of Colma. stands
ready to hang up $4,000 purse in real
money. A foTty-five-round bout is legal
In that State. and COffrOth owns the best
equipped arena Tor the contest. Johnson
says he IS ready 10 clinch the match.
Jeffries, before sailing for here last
Saturday declared that he weighed 90
pounds and never felt better In his life.
He has been exercising in a mild sort
of a way ever since last March, and has
taken off nearly forty pounds. according
to his own statement
BOilerm5ker Weighs $50 Pounds.
In a word. If JEFF really weighs 80
pounds now, after eight months OF light
exercise. il seems unreasonable to sup
pose that he needs six months more TO
fit himself for a fight with Johnson.
The negro could not have improved
upon his condition when he beat Ketchell.
and is ready TO fight Jeffries some time
10 December, he says. II seems 10 be
up to Jeffries. therefore. to agree to an
early date and TO refrain from anything
that looks like unnecessary delay
Jeffrles. when fit. was the greatest
heavyweight the ring ever knew and il
he saws he can be as formidable rs ever