The San Francisco call., 1910-05-18
Jeffries and johnson Probably
viii Meet in This City
July 4
Attitude of Oakland Authorities
Makes EmeryviIIe's Chances
One in a Hundred
Rickard and Gleason Practically
Have Completed Plans to
Stage Battle Here

Nt - 0e~~sA~ AA~A
7 MERYVILLE is clinging to the
pugilistic map by the most deli
cate thread, but the chances are
100 10 ] against the Jeffries- Johnson
fight being staged there The pro-
moters find the transbay ground so
shsllv under their feet that they prac-
tioallv have completed their plans TO
come back TO San Francisco. The
attitude Of District Attorney Donahue
and Sheriff Barnet of Alameda county
has not changed within the last "A
hours. If anything, the threatening
clouds have grown blacker and more
threatening.
Riokard and Gleason. the promoters,
arc striving desperately to settle upon
a battle ground without further delay
That they made good use of the last
a hours IS attested by the fact that
they have already laid their plans for
another invasion OF San Francisco.
They have been assured that the big
battle can be staged here without off,
ciaI Interference and they also have
been promised that the necessary per-
nit viii be granted by the police com
mittee OF the supervisors next Monday
afternoon.
Will Transfer Permit
This permit is 10 be issued to the
Broadway club. OF which James J. Grif-
IN is the manager. The promoters
talked business with Griffin last night
and the night before He practically
has accepted their terms. and if moth
ing goes wrong in the meantime he
formally VIII turn. over his permit to
Gleason and Rickard just as soon as II
Is granted by the supervisors.
John L. Herget. chairman of the
police committee Of the supervisors.
VIII not oppose the transfer Of the per-
nit On the contrary, he Will en-
courage il. Herget is an old time
fighter, referee and promoter himself.
Although he and Riclard had a tilt
several months ago. Herget seems very
willing to let bygones be bygones.
With this end in view. he viii do all in
his power to aid the promoters.
"Rickard and Gleason did not treat
me right some months ago when they
promised TO stage the battle in San
Francisco" said Herget yesterday. Il
viii admit that 7 was rufhed at the
time and the sporting public at large
sided with me. However. it is all over
now and I hold no i'll feeling toward
either Of the promoters
VIII Help City
y believe that the people OF san
Francisco want to see this great bat
tie decided here. 1t will help the town
TO q marked degree II will bring
LOT Of people and lot of money here.
As long as san Francisco tolerates
prizefghts, there is no reason in the
world why this. the fight of all fights.
should not be decided here If the
promoters keep within the law. I will
not oppose them. In fact. I Will do
What 7 can to help them.
There is nothing in the city ordi-
nance 10 prevent 2 IS round contest
The ordinance says that these bouts
must be limited. but no limit is named
Il has been a time honored custom for
the supervisors to place the limit at
20 rounds. However, as long as JEFF
ries and Johnson have signed for IS
round contest, believe that the arti-
cles should be lived up TO, and l be-
lieve that none Of the city officials will
have any objections to offer"
Rickard and Gleason even have gone
so far as TO cast about for a suitable
location for their arena. They have
two sites in view-the old Central
park property at Eighth and Market
streets and the ocean Shore terminal
grounds at Twelfth and Mission streets.
Either would suit the purpose of the
promoters, and it is only a matter of
closing with the owners. IT is under
stood that negotiations will be opened
Immediately, or at least after the per-
mit for the bout has been officially
stamped
Williams Makes Statement
Thomas H. Williams. president of the
New California jockey club and the
man from whom the promoters have
leased the Emeryville arena, denies that
he has broken faith with Rickard or
that he has failed to live UP TO his
promise. Williams admits, however, |
that he informed Rickard some days
ago that he would prefer that the fight |
take place elsewhere. but he adds that
he assured Rickard that he would live |
ep 10 every letter Of his contract in the |
event that another battle ground could |
not be found
Whether or not the combat will be |
held across the hay is entirelx in the