Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-18
RICHARD ANDCLEASON IN ROW
Fight ImpresssriOs Quarrel Over
Location Of Big Mill,
SPORTING MEN ARE sKEPTICAI
Many Frisco Fans Think Quarrel
IL Framed Up 60 Keep In
terest I'm the Match
Alive

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. IA bitter
controversy is on between the two fiSht
impressarios who are to handle the JEFF
fries-Johnson championship fight, Jack
Gleason OF San Francisco and Tex Rick
ard OF Nevada. The dispute is over the
selection Of a battle ground.
At present there is q wide difference of
opinion between the two managers as to
where the go will be held. Tex Richard is
sued a flat statement last night that the
fight would take place in Salt Lake City
or the immediate vicinity. In response
Jack Gleason just as positively stated that
Jeffries and Johnson will meet in San
Francisco.
And, in this condition, the situation is
left dangling in mid-air. Where the con-
troversy will end Is coming to be the main
topic for discussion and speculation In the
sporting world.
Rkckard Furnishes Cash.
Richard. In his statement, charges that
Gleason has not advanced one cent In the
transaction 30 far. or the S101,00 guar
antee, only $4,000 has been posted. Rick
ard asserts that Gleason did not put up a
cent Of this forfeit and hence cannot as
sumo to dictate. Gleason entrenches HIM
self behind the declaration that Richard
could not have become a partner In the
enterprise II 1t had not been for the Gla-
son influence with Sam Berger and Jim
Jeffries.
The main point in dispute is the ques-
ton as to which place shall be chosen for
the fight-San Francisco or Salt Lake City.
It appears that the matter has ceased to
be a contest between the cities and re-
solved itself into a russell for authority be-
tween Gleason and Richard.
The balance of power seems to be with
the fighters, and the San Francisco sport
ing fraternity is almost unanimously Of
the opinion that the fight will be held
wherever Jeffrles dictates.
Nothing has been heard from either of
the two principals since Gleason and Rick
ard fell out.
Statement OF Gleason.
1T Is well known that Jeffries is par
tial to San Francisco. He is a Californian
and Berger, his manager, is a San Fran
cisco man. Jack Johnson has often said
that he has always been well pleased with
the way In which he was treated in San
Francisco.
when all Is said and done. the big fight
will be held here,' said Jack Gleason to-
night at the Olympic club. Il say so, and
1t was agreed In New York that l should
have the naming of the place. l don't care
what Tex Richard says about 1t. I know
what l am talking about.
81 don't care to get into any contro-
versy about this thing, but / want 1t dis
tir city understood that 1 am to name the
place. Sam Berger will back me up. He
knows and Johnson and Little both now
1 am content TO leave it to them. They
will tell who was given authority to choose
the battle ground. The fighters want to
go to the place where the fight can be
most a-dvantageously handled and ! guest
that before long the world will know
whether that is San Francisco or Salt Lake
Jeff will be here in ten days and then we
will see.
Ready to Take IL All.
III Richard does not care to live up &c
this agreement I will take the fight of
hts hands. 1 am ready at any time tC
take the whole thing. 1 can handle thi,
fight and 1 intend to handle at least m
end of it. l 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
responsibility.
JUL "SaA0 AoN1A navy SOAAHOAANNN I Z
sign articles with Richard as one Of the
partners in the affair If It had not beer
for me. I'm not going to stand for Rickart
being the autoorat and neither will Jeffries
TLat'n about settle the dispute"
Many sporting men here are skeptica
about the controversy between Gleason anC
Richard. Some think that it is being don,
to keep the interest in the match alive
This, however, is Indignantly denied b,
Gleason. Fight fans are at a loss to ex
plain the positiveness with which Rickart
states that the fight will be held In Utal
in face of Governor Spry's recent state
ment that he would use all the means a
his command to prevent the battle beIn.
pulled off there.
JOLIET, H., Jan. 1.-The light will b.
either in San Francisco or across the ba!
at Oakland" said James j. Jeffrles, witt
was here tonight II much prefer the coast
and that's the understanding. l have no
any faith in the Salt Lake boom, and dom
think there is the slightest chance of IT.
being held there"
Governor spry Says ''Nay.S
CHICAGO. Jan. 16.-There will be nj
fight in Salt Lak City or any other plac
In Utah. The authorities will take what
ever drastic steps necessary to prevent II
Governor spry of Utah, who arrived II
Chicago late tonight, made this statement
1T have made this assertion before,
continued Governor Spry, but / repeat /
now with renewed emphasis. There is n
use of these sporting men keeping up tn
talk of oveTthrowing the law in, Utah. ]
would be absurd II a couple of fight pro
moters could nullify the law at their con
ve~nience. The law is against the fight an
we simply will not permit II.
II don't think 1t would be necessary t
call out the militia to prevent a fight, bu
we would take whatever drastic action tina
would be necessary. 1t is generally under
stood that the fight Is to take place in Cal
! ifornia, and we do not think there Is an
danger of our state being invaded, AS 10
the supposed guaranty having been put u
by Salt Lake business men, 1t had no OF
fetal sanction"
II you have anything TO sell or exchang
advertise it in The Bee Want AID 30
= umns.