The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-17
Jeffries-J OhnsOn Fight Pro-
mOters Have Bitter Quarrel.
Gleason Insists Contest Shall Be
Held in California.
TEX RICKARD OBJECTS
Says 1t Must Be Held at Salt
Lake City.
Each Insists Other Has Nothing
to Say About 1t.
TEX RICHARD OBJECTS


San Francisco, Jan. IA bitter
controversy is on between the Two
fight impresarios who are to handle
the Jeffries-Johnson championship
fight. Jack Gleason of San Francisco
and Tex Richard of Nevada, over the
selection of a battle ground.
At present there is wide difference
of opinion between the two managers
as to where the go will be held. Tex
Fickard issued a fiat statement last
night that the fight would take place
in Salt Lake City or the immediate
vicinity. In response Jack Gleason
inst as positively stated that Jeffrles
and Johnson will meet in San FRAN
cisco and, in this condition, the sltud-
ton is left dangling in mid-alr. Wnere
the controversy will end is comlps 70
be the main topic for discussion anu
ID sneculation in the sporting world.
Riclard. in his statement charges
that Gleason has not advanced one
cent in the transaction SO lar, VI the
100000 guarantee, 1t is sara only
500. 900 has been posted. Rickard as
eerfs that Gleason did not put up a
cent of this forfeit and hence cannon
assume to dictate. Gleason entrencnes
himself behind the declaration that
Richard could not have become a
mariner in the enterprise II 1t had not
been for the Gleason influence with
Sam Berger and Jim Jeffrles. me
main point in dispute, is the question
as to which shall be CHOSEN LOT the
6ght-San Francisco or salt Lake
city. 1t appears the matter mas Geas-
ed to be a contest between the cities
and has resolved itself into tussle
for authority between Gleason ana
Rickard The balance of power seems
to be with the fighters, and the san
Francisco sporting fraternity Is Almost
Of he nniniOn that the
fight will be held wherever JeHrles
Nothing has been heard from eth
err of the two principles since Gleason
and Richard fell out. 1t is ven
known that Jeffries is partial to San
Francisco. He is a Californian and
Berger, his manager is San Fran
cisco man. Jack Johnson has often
said that he had always been well
pleased with the way in which ne was
treated in San Francisco.
Gleason Is Defiant.
srWhen all is said and done, the big
feht will be held here" said Jack
Gleason last night, at the Olympic
club.
York that I should have the naming
of the place. / don't care what Tex
Rickard says about it. I know what
/ am talking about.
IT don't care to get into any con-
troversy about this thing. but l want
it distinctly understood that I am to
name the place. Sam Berger will
back me up. He knows and Johnson
and Little both know I am content to
leave it with them. They will tell
who was given authority to choose
the battle ground. The fighters want
to go to the place where the sight
can be most advantageously handled
and 1 guess that before long the
world will know whether that is San
Francisco or Salt Lake. Jeffries will
be here in ten days and then we will
see.
eff Richard does not care to live
I'D to this agreement will take the
fight off his hands. I am ready at
any time to take the whole thing. /
can handle this fight and intend to
handle at least my end of 1t. say
again that if Tex does not want to
go through with it as we agreed to
do, I'll relieve him of any further re-
eponsibility.
Jeff would never have consented
to sign those articles with Richard as
one of the partners in the affair If ii
had not been for me. I'm not going
to stand for Richard being the auto
Graf, and neither will Jeffries. That'l
about settle the dispute"
Many sporting men here are skepti-
cal about the meaning of the contro-
Versy between Gleason and Rickard
Some think it is being done to keel
the interest in the match alive. This
however, is Indignantly denied by
Gleason. Fight fans are at a loss tt
explain the positiveness with which
Richard states that the fight will be
held in Utah, in face of Gov. Spry's re
cent statement that he would use al
the means at his command to prevent
the battle being pulled off in Utah.
RIckard Ready to Sign Utah Contract
Salt Lake City, Jan. 17.-Rickard. Wit
said last night that he would sign
contract today for the amphitheater a
Saltair beach for the Jeffries-Johnsol
fight would make no comment on tn
statement of Governor Spry at Chicago
He seemed to attach Importance to tn
word flight" by the governor.
Richard insists his entertainment i
a high class sparring match and moth
ing SO vulgar as prize fight.
In a lengthy reply to Jack Gleason
of San Francisco last night Rickar'
saws he has a private contract will
Gleason in which he guarantees Glea
son against financial loss and is to pos
the whole of the $101. 600 purse. "GIea
son was forced on me by Sam Berger,
said Richard, mot by Jim Jeffries, an
If had held out. as I should have done
I would not have taken Gleason in a
a partner told him at the time w
signed up / expected to bring the con
test to Salt Lake and If the laws @
Utah permitted. 1 was to have the nam
ing of the place of the contest in Utat
If we could not stage the go in Utah
I will go to California and Gleason wa
to have an equal say as to where
should be staged. I did agree wit