Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-18
;ox; Lincoln and Sioux City Take Games
Tex Richard is
Chosen Referee
of Prize Fight
Promoter of Big Bout Elected After
Berger and Johnson Nearly
Come to Blows.

SAN FRANCISCO, May l7.-Tex Richard
who is associated with Jack Gleason in
the promotion OF the Jeffries-Joh nson con-
test. was today selected to referee the
battle between the two heavyweights.
In accepting the place, however the Ne
Vada promoter made il clear he would
step aside IL Jeffrles and Johnson agreed
upon another man.
This settlement of the difficulty came
after bitter words had passed betwo n
johnson and Sam Berger, Jeffries man
ager.
Johnson first suggested Richard, but
Berger refused at first to consider the
Nevada man, stating he would not accept
him on account of his inexperience. The
colored champion declared he would stand
pat on the three men he had mentioned
Jack Welsh, Eddie Grantr and Richard
and Berger replied that he would leave the
meeting.
Then there came a further clash between
Berger and Johnson, in which ugly words
were used by Berger and threats made by
Johnson. Berger stood up as if to leave
the meeting place.
80 you want Richard, do your" he
queried OF Johnson.
Yes" came the answer
"Well, all right" replied Berger and the
crowd broke into a cheer as 1t finally real
lied one Of the difficult points had been
settled.
Richard made the following statemt Mt.
ITO straighten out this affair 1 am will
ing to act, provided my name is agree
able TO all concerned. / cont want to act
and l hope before the fight takes place
Jeffries and johnson will agree upon am
other man. If they can come to terms l
am perfectly willing to step down and out.
But if they can reach no other agreement
l will not back down.
In spite of the agreement there is a feel
ing of distrust among those who attended
the session that the last word has not been
said and that sooner or later the referee
question must again be taken up for con-
sideration
Berger during the negotiations lost his
head completely and missed many a chance
to score a telling point From the start
he showed his temper and toward the close
1t looked for a time as If there would be
a free -for-all fight
Just before the compromise was reached
Berger, in an undortone, declared that I'm
go over and hit that black man." at the
same time applying an epithet.
This was carried to Johnson, who warned
Berger denied he had said anything Of
the kind.
You're just an educated dog" said
johnson to Berger. Now, come out and
fight If you want to. I'll give $1,000 if you
will come right out with me and box just
three rounds" They were finally quoted
down.
BEN LOMOND, Cal, May 1L--When
word was received at the ,Jeffries training
camp that Richard had been chosen as
referee, Jeffries said: ....
IF the report that Richard has been
chosen as the third man in the ling is
true, that suits me, All l want is to sea
some good, square fellow who knows
something about the game in charge Of
affairs. l know Richard will give me an
even break and that is all l ever asked.
l am glad the matter has been settled so
quickly"
Because of extremely hot weather JEFF
fries confined his work today to the
morning and devoted the afternoon to
fishing in company with Harry Green Of
Santa Cruz. Bag punching and hand ball
comprised the morning exercise Jeffries
perspired freely and took off something
like four pounds by his work.