The Mena weekly star., 1910-06-23
10 STOP BIG FIGHT
GOV. GiLLETT ORDERS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TAKE ACTION
 AT ONCE.
HEAVY LOSS TO THE PROMOTERS
Mayor Mccarthy of San Francisco Fsvors Allowing the Fight to Pro ceed-To Take Matter Up With tke Governor at Once.


 Governor at Once. San Francisco, June 17--M. 5. Webb attorney general of California, has stated that he has received in- structions form Gov. Gillett to take ac- ton to prevent the Johnson-Jeffries fight on July A.
 Webb said that he would take the necessary steps at once.
 Gov. James M Gillett. in long dis tance telephone conversation with the Associated Press at 1 o'clock, said:
 q have instructed Attorney General Webb to stop the Jeffries-Johnson fight, and l shall expect him to do so."
 Large Sums involved.
 The Jeffries-Johnson fight was to be for the heavy weight championship Of the world and a purse of $i01,000 to be divided 75 per cent for the winner and % per cent to the loser. Tex Rickard of Nevada and Jack Gleason of San Francisco are the promoters who are staging the big event.
 Both the principals have been train ing hard for several weeks getting in condition for their scheduled 45-round bout
 The fight was expected to attract the largest crowd that ever witnessed puglistic event Reservation for tickets have been received from Eng land and Austrana, and hundreds of fight followers now are on the way to California to witness the battle be- tween the white man and the negro.
 No fight since the celebrated Heenan-Sayers international battle for the championship of the world held in England in 1860 has attracted the at tention that the coming battle has pro duced.
 Moving Pictures Valuable.
 The moving pictures of the big figL were considered so valuable that a syndicate already has offered $l50,0L fci the picture privileges and are will ing to take chances on the outcome If the fight were ended In few rounds or the weather was such that the men could not fight this money would be thrown away.
 Chicago, July 17.-Goy. Gillett can not stop the Jeflries-Johnson contest under the California laws. As mayor of San Francisco I am the only man who can stop it--and won't. The big fight will take place"
 This Is the statement of Mayor P. H. Mccarthy made while addressing small gathering of laboring men from an invalids chair in the North. western depot. The mayor had just gotten out of the hospital In Indianap oils where he was injured in an auto mobile accident on Memorial day. He was en route home.
 Mayor Will Help Fighters.
 'If Richard and Gleason stand pat, the contest will be held regardless of the governor If he intended taking action with view of prohibiting the bout, why did he not do so weeks ago, instead of giving out interviews say. Ing he was powerless to prevent the meeting
 The worst he could do any way would be to cause the arrest of the principals after the fight and leave the question of whether the bout was merely, boxing contest, which the law expressedly permits. or a prize fight, which I grant you Is forbidden, to jury to decide.
 T intend to take the matter up with Gov. Gillett immediately upon my ar. rival home"
 Can't Fight In Utah.
 Salt Lake City, June TIA move ment to bring the Jeffries-Johnson con. test to this city received backset when Gov. Spry positively announced that he saw no reason to changing my position. The fact that Gov. Gillett of California has refused to allow his state to be disgraced by having the fight in 1t is only an added reason why l should not change my former posi- ton. The fight will not be held in Utah if I can prevent it"
 It is suggested that the fight be held Just across the Nevada line and that the crowd be taken from this city in special trains.
 In line with this suggestion the fol lowing telegram was sent to Promoter Tex" Rickard
 Railroads here say they can handle crowd of 30.000 to fight If it were held just across line in Nevada, l20 miles from here Could leave here on morn ing of fight. returning that night"
 Poor f1ilk