Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-18
WESTWARD HO!IS
BERGER'S MOVE
JEFF'S REPRESENTATIVE ON
WAY TO COAST
WILL CONFER WITH FIGHT PRO-
MoTERs OF STATE
Scene of Negotiations In Worlds Pres
mler Struggle Shifts to Pacific
coast-Mccarey and cof-
froth Are Silent

With the announcement yesterday that
Samuel Berger, the haberdasher-man
ager will be today on his way west
ward, on matters Of import connected
more or less closely-and presumably
closely-with the Jeffries-Johnson argu-
ment. the scene of the negotiations
looking toward the arrangement Of the
date and place of meeting for the
worlds premier struggle now shifts
from east to west. With his arrival
in the western land and the conference
to follow with the coast promoters,
something definite in the way OF a
settlement of two of the most import
ant items regarding the battle may be
looked for soon. For after all the talk
and press agent breeziness has been
cleared away, after the various moves
on the checkerboard inspired by the
manipulatiors of the affair, who out
OF their exceeding wisdom are striving
to keep public interest at white heat,
the matter soon must simmer down to
a signed agreement naming the place
of the contest and the time 1t Will be
held, as we'll as the club before which
the battle will be fought.
When the news was flashed over the
wires of the matching of the big fellow
and the negro, the next question IN
stantly popped out, Where and when
will they fight?" Thus came the call
for bids, and then the towns seeking
free advertisement, the regions with
out hope of securing the bout but
looking for a chance to get into print,
came through with numerous impos-
sible offers. Then came the bids from
Australia and London, and queries or
the western promoters concerning their
position in the matter.
Two Men Silent
But through 1t all, 1t is significant
that the two foremost promoters, whose
bids. for geographical and legal rea-
son most likely be scanned the closest
when the representatives of the fighters
sit down to a final settlement these
two men, T. ]. McCarey OF Los An
geles and Jim Coffroth of San Fran
| cisco, have had nothing to say regard
ing a definite offer. Now comes Berger
hotfooting 1t across the continent, pre-
ceded by a wedge-opening tale that
McCarey has offered $4,000 for the
| bout, a story which McCarey fatty
denies, and the statement that Coffroth
is eager for q consultation with him on
the matter. Wise talk, Samuel. Like
wise, a smooth move in attempting to
| force the hands of the western fight
magnates. But until Jeffries arrives
in this country again, and is personally
on hand to affix his signature to ar
ticles naming the place and the hour,
there is every probability that neither
promoter will be drawn into any final
bid for the match.
Old Rivals to Bid
Also it is plain that San Francisco
and Los Angeles, as of old, will be rival
bidders for the big match. Under the
present arrangement, McCarey having
secured a license at Vernon, the north
! and the south stand on an even basis
with the exception that JEFF has fre-
| quntly reiterated his desire to make
his home down the battle ground, and
give the home fans the preference.
This goes not long way, however. for
| the bidder who offers the best induce
ments, If all is conducted according to
the rules Of fair play, will receive tho
match.
The announcement made some time
ago by McCarey, that he will not be
outbid for the match, has had it's effect
on the Spring street fight followers.
| There Is growing belief that the Angel
! City will see the greatest battle since
the retirement of the boilermaker, and
there is also growing an intense desire
to see the matter clinched. Los Ange-
| les WdHlS liiS DehttiC JeluiS m -
saying nothing, but is shrewdly doing
| q lot of quiet figuring, with the result
| that when least expected he will come
forth with that kind of a statement
that will quickly crystalline matters
Berger, of course, will make his first
stop at San Francisco. He will proba-
bly, have a talk with Coffroth for Sam
Is looking after home interests first,
| last and always, and he doesn't forget
| that perhaps the little "swell shop
will benefit if the fight goes to the
bay city. But that the stand taken by
the Pacific Athletic club will be mat
ter of moment to the two fighters there
| Is no question. Meanwhile we are
| awaiting the appearance Of Samuel
! Berger, the JeffrieA envoy extraordin-
ary.