New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-17
RICHARD IN THE RING
Named to Act as Referee for Big
Fight in July.

San Francisco. May is-'Tex'a Rfekard.
associated with Jack Gleason in the pro-
motion OF the Jeffries-Johnson fch4 at
Enaeryville on July t. who came into uro,ni-
hence four years ago when he managed the
Gans-Nelson fight at GoldfeId. New. will
act as referee when the two heavyweichts
do hattie
In accepting the position however. Rick
ard made it clear that he would stem aside
if Jeffries and Johnson agreed later on
some other man.
This settlement came when it looked as
if the meeting TO select referee would end
in another deadlock and after bitter words
had passed between Johnson and Sam
Berger. manager for Jeffries
Johnson first suggested Richard. but
Berger refused 10 consider the Nevada
man. saying he would not accent him on
account of his inexperiehce. The negro
champion declared he would stand pat on
the three men ne had mentioned. Jack
Weleh. Eddie Graney and Richard Berger
Indignantly replied that he would leave the
meeting Then came a further clash be-
tween Berger and Johnson and ugly words
were used. Berger finally stood up If
10 leave. but said:
SO YOU want Richard do your Yes
came the answer from Johnson. Well, all
right" replied Berger, and the crowd broke
into d cheer as 1T realized that one Of the
difficult points had been settled.
Richard made the following statement:
ITO straighten out this tangle am will
ing TO act provided my name is agreeable
to all concerned. / don't want to serve,
and hope that before the fight takes place
Jeffries and Johnson will agree on another
man If they can come TO terms am per-
fectly willing to step down and out. But If
they can reach no other agreement I viii
not back down.
In spite Of the agreement there is a feel
ing Of mistrust among those who attended
the session that the last word has not been
said and that the referee question again
must be taken up 1t was said here to-
night that Richard was named until the
contestants could look the field over and
decide on another man.
Berger during the negotiations lost his
head and missed many q chance to score
telling point From the start he showed his
temper Toward the close it looked for
time as if. there would be a free-for-all
fight.
Just before the compromise was reached
Berger IN an undertene declared I'll go
over and nit that black man" at the same
black This remark was carried TO John
son. who warned Berger never 10 call him
that name again.
You're just an educated dog" said John
son 20 Berger. Now, come out and fight
if you want TO. I'll give $1,000 if you will
come right cut with me and box just three
rounds
At the start Of the meeting Berger again
named five men, any one Of whom would
be satisfactory-Eddie Smith, Billy Roach.
Charley Eyton. Phil Wand and Johnny
Perget. Johnson named Weleh and Graney
and said he would stick TO them.
AL sorts of compromises were suggested
Berger said ne would be willing 10 have the
sporting editors of the five San Francisco
newspapers name the referee, or TO act IN
conjunction with the two promoters.
There was a world Of herseplay all the
way through the session, with Johnson
playing to the galleries,