Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-30
JOHNSON AND JEFFRIES SIGN
Articles Call for Finish Fight Not
Later Than July 0, 1910.
DIVISION OF THE PURSE
seventy-Five Per Cent Goes 60 the
wInner-Club Making the Best
offer to Secure the
Fight.

NEW YORK, oct. 29.-Jack Johnson and
James ]. Jeffies-Cthe negro insisted that
as present champion. his name should go
firs)-signed articles In New York late this
afternoon binding them TO fight forty-five
rounds to a finish. not later than July g.
1910. before the club offering the best I'm
anciai in~duoement. the winner to take a
side bet OF $1,000 and seventy-five per cent
Of the purse, the loser to a k twenty-five
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 to the minute, but Johnson
elbowed his way d~ilfidently through the
crowd ten, minutes lat. At the table, as
the men took their places, eat Jeffries'
with Bob Vernon at his left and Sam
Berger, his manger. at his right, Johnson,
George Considine, Honest John Kelly,
Sam Harris, Samuel Nelson. Bob Murphy
and other we'll known sporting men.
Jeffries eyed the negro curiouEly, but
did not meet his glance. Johnson wal at
fable, but showed his nervousness by his
frequent grins and his constant clicking
of two red dice, which he carried half con.
cealed in the palm OF his right hand.
Negotiations Begin.
Both principals posed for the photo
grapher and when the smoke OF the flash
lights had cleared, promptly got down to
business. Jeffries let Berger do his talk
ing. but Johnson broke in frequently on
his manager with suggestions and objec-
tions. nevertheless II was remarked as the
articles took form, that Jeffries was win
ming nearly every point for which he con-
tended.
It was agreed without dispute that the
men would box for the heavyweight
championship OF the world" At this
point Johnson Insisted that the present
champions name should Precede the re-
tired undefeated champions name in the
written agreement. To this Jeffries quickly
assented. Berger then suggested that the
fight go to the club making the highest
responsible bid within the next thirty days.
Little agreed, but Johnson, shaking his
head obviously, asked that each bid be
accompanied by a 5000 forfeit, as a guar
antee Of good faith. Jeffries nodded and
Berger gave his assent.
SO far 1t had been easy sailing. but when
the question of q referee was raised. the
crowd edged forward expectantly. Little,
for Johnson, wanted to name his choice.
For the first time Jeffrles broke In.
Let the club that gets the bid have a
word" he ordered. They've got as much
at stake as we have. Let it walt"
Little was for arguing the point, but
Johnson was all Cancellation. well, let 1t
60" he urged. that's all right
Fight to n Finish.
The number OF rounds was next in order
80 far as 1 CO." said Jeffries, Il don't
care IL it's six, ten, twenty or a hundred
rounds; but 1 know what the public will
demand, and / am going to see they get 1t
lit means a finish"
At this the crowd cheered until Bob MUIR
ply had to outroar them for order. But
Johnson was not satisfied. He feared a
San Francisco club. where only twenty
round bouts are allowed, might get the bid,
and in that event insisted that twenty
rounds should be specified.
Then Frisco won't get the fight" an
nounced Jeffries decisively. Make 1t
forty-five rounds or more Swallowing his
objections, previously voiced, the negro
agreed volubly.
There was still the rock on which most
agreements split-the division Of the purse.
To the surprise of the crowd both men said
that they were willing to fight, winner take
all, or 80 and 40 per cent, or IS and q per
cent, and on the latter basis It was sattled.
The side bet caused more difficulty.
Jeffrles wanted to wager 5000. Johnson,
more cautious. offered 5000. Little, his