Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-05-17
Breaking of Deadlock Comes
After Bitter Words Between
Big Black and Berger Fight
Narrowly Averted,

10 Morning Journal Special Leased wireI
San Francisco, May 16.-TeX Rick
ard. who is associated with Jack
Gleason in the promotion of the JEFF
fries-Johnson contest, and who came
into prominence fou years ago when
he engineered the Gans-Nelson fight
ut Goldfield, New, was today selected
to referee the battle between the two
heavyweights.
In accepting the place, however, the
Nevada promoter made it clear that
he would step aside if Jeffries and
johnson agreed upon another man.
This settlement of the difficulty
came at a stage of the meeting when
it looked as if it would end in another
deadlock, and after bitter words had
been passed between johnson and
Sam Berger.
johnson first suggested Richard,
but Berger refused to consider the
Nevada man at first, saying that he
would not accept him on account Of
his inexperience as q referee The
colored champion declared that he
would stand pat on the three men he
had mentioned-Jack Welsh, Eddie
Graney and Rickard-and Sam Ber-
ger replied Indignantly that he would
leave the meeting.
Then there came a further clash be.
tween Berger and Johnson. in which
ugly words were used by Berger end
threats made by Johnson.
Berger stood up as If to leave the
meeting place.
so you want Richard, do S)u?" lie
queried of Johnson.
Eyes" came the answer,
We'll, all right replied Jeffries'
1tgfaoSc commemorative nn1 thn nrnUr1
broke into a cheer rs it finally real
lied that one of the difficult points
had been settled.
Following the argument Richard
made the following statement:
"In order to straighten out this ar
fair, / am willing to act. providing nv
Lame is agreeable to all concerned. I
don't want to act and ] hope hat bees
fore the fight fakes place, Jeffries ana
Johnson will agree upon another man
If they can oin to terms I am
perfectly willing to step down and out.
But if they can reach no other gree
ment, I'll not back down"
In spite of the agreement there is
o feeling of distrust among those who
attended the session that the last
word has not been said and that soon
or or later the referee question must
again be taken up for consideration.
1t has been whispered around that in
order to give the impression that
everything is in working order. Rick
ard has been named until the con-
testants have further time to look over
the field. This feeling. in fact. has
been strengthened by the statement
made by Richard.
1t was Berger, durine the %negotia-
lions, who lost his head completely
and missed many a chance to score a
telling point. From the start he
showed his temper II toward the
close it looked for a time as if there
would be q free-for-all affair.
Just before the compromise was
reached Berger in an undertone de-
clared:
"Ill go over and hit that big black !
fellow" at the same time applying an
cpithet.
This was carried to Johnson. who
warned Berger never to call him that
name again.
Berger denied he had said anything
of the kind, but Johnson's followers
declared he did, n muttered among
themselves that If Berger repeated
what he had said he would never
You're Just an educated dog" said
Johnson to Berger. Now, come out
ana fight if YOU want to. I'll give n
thousand dollars If you will come
right out with me ana box just three
rounds
They We're finally quoted down and
the session resumed.
At the start of the meeting Berger
again named the five men he want
cd-Eddie Smith. Billy Roache,
Charlie Eyton, Phil Wand and Johnny
lIergert.
Johnson re-named Welsh and
Graney and said he would stick to
them.
All sorts of compromises were sug-
Sested. Berger said he would be Will
ing to have the sporting editors OF
the five San Francisco papers name
the referee or allow these same sport
ing editors to act in conjunction with
the two promoters.
There was a world of horse play all
me way through the session with
Johnson, as usual, playing to the gall
lcries.
When word was received 1T the
Jcifrtes training cGmp that Tex Rick
ara had been chosen to act as referee,
J~efflies said.
IF the report that Richard has
been chosen as the third man is true,
That suits me. All | want is to see
some good. square fellow who knows
something bou the game in charge
OF affairs. | know Rickard Will give
me an even break, and that is all !
nave ever asked. ] am glad the mat
Ter has bcpn settled so X /