The Washington herald., 1910-03-11

The selection OF a site for the erection
of an arena wherein Johnson and Jefrries
will fight for the worlds heavyweight
championship on Independence Day has
cleared the pugilistic atmosphere It IS
now possible for both the principles and
the promoters to complete their plans
for the preliminary work, and 1t marks
a long step toward the actual staging of
what is already conceded to be the
greatest pugilistlc contest ever waged.
Until the announcement was made at
San Francisco on Tuesday night that
the race track at Emeryville. just out
side OF Oakland, was 10 be the scene Of
the title bout the arrangement OF details
incidental 10 the affair was at a stand
still. From now en-. however, 1t VIII be
possible for those most interested TO map
out their work up 10 and including the
day when the two gigantic boxers meet
for supremacy IN the ring.
So far as the actual site Of the fight IS
concerned. there appears TO be few OBJ
jections 10 the race course at Emeryville.
Since for obvious reasons it was not pos
sible to hold the fight within the city
limits OF san Francisco. the place Sc
lected appears to be suitable in every
way
There IS room FOR an arena large
enough to accommodate all those who
may desire to witness the battle, and the
transit facilities from both Frisco and
Oakland are ample to accommodate a
throng as large as 250oO0. While it is
not expected that this number OF per-
sons will be In the arena, it has been
estimated that almost as many will
gather outside the immense inclosure as
will be seated inside.
No More Wrangling.
As has been predicted. harmony and a
perfect understanding has replaced the
wrangling among the promoters Of the
affair. and another shrewd advertisement
dodge to keep the coming battle before
the public has been fled away TO make
room for interesting and authentic news.
The latest reports from the Pacific Coast
are to the effect that the promoters have
reached a most harmonious state. and
viii proceed with necessary arrangements
for the erection of an arena which will
accommodate from $1,000 to 100000 specta-
tors. The combined population Of Frisco
and Oakland affords almost three-quar-
tiers OF a million to draw from. and the
trip by boat, trolley, and third rail will
not consume more than thirty minutes
from the most central parts Of the two
cities. Every aid and assistance possible
will be given by the city officers Of EN-
eryville and Thomas II. Williams. the
president of the California Jockey Club.
Mayor Christie, Of Emeryville. is well
pleased with the turn things have taken.
He is said to be attuned 10 anything the
race track may desire. Christie has been
elected mayor OF EmeryvilIe eleven times,
and what he says usually goes. He
promises that his city council will vote
the permit on Monday night. Emeryville
Is a manufacturing town as well as
racing town. Christie remarked that
the big fight is Just what we need to
advertise US around the world"
TO Handle Big Crowd.
Moreover. the fans are pleased The
Southern Pacific and Key Route ferry
companies say they can unload the crowd
Of 10000 persons at the race track gates
In two hours time without crowding or
inconvenience. Steam and electric trains
run from the ferry TO the grounds. Street
car lines from all points in Oakland and
Alameda County reach the track. and
the overland Pacific and Santa Fe trains
pass the gate. The Eastern fans. If they
SO desired, might get on an overland at
Chicago and stay on until It reaches
Emeryville. From the Frisco side Of
the bay to the race track is a thirty
minute trip.
Arrangements for the transporting Of
fight enthusiasts to the scene OF the bat
tie, the sale Of tickets, and scores of other
details have already been provided for.
Within a month the sale OF coupons for
the fight will be opened in the principal
cities OF the country. It is the plan OF the
promoters TO sell these coupons In ad-
vance at prices ranging from $40 to 500.
the same TO be exchanged at the various
entrances OF the arena on the day OF the
fight for regular seat reservations. It is
hoped In this way that the possibility OF
tickets falling into the hands Of specuIa-
tors viii be reduced to a minimum and
that every spectator, no matter from
what portion Of the country he halls. will
have an equal chance
That large portion Of the spectators
are expected to be residents Of other sec
lions OF the country aside from San Fran
cisco and its vicinity is shown by the
arrangement which the promoters are
making to handle an immense transcon-
tinental pilgrimage both before and after
the battle. 1t is understood that Rick
ard and Gleason will have a controlling
interest in these tours, although the ac-
tual details are In the hands of J. P. Nc
Cam. head of the tourist agency Of this
name.