Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-30
Strong Leaning to Opinion That
New Yorker May Yet
OffiCiate.
RENO, New. June 30.

A ENCOURAGEMENT last night or
IA the appointment of Charles
White, of New York. Jeffries's
choice and longtime friend, to fill the
position of alternate referee of the JEFF
fries-Johnson fight has stirred up a
vast amount of interest.
The appointment of White followed
quickly the receipt of a telegram by
Tom Flanagan, Johnson's manager,
which stated that Francis Nelson, of
Toronto, Can, Flanagan's choice for
second referee, could not serve. Mel
son said other engagements prevented
his attendance.
Flanagan carried the message to
Richard and stated he would accept
White, who was proposed by Sam Ber-
ger, Jeffries's manager. Richard cast
his vote for White and the
ment was formally made
White was declared to be the dark
horse among the candidates for the
position of referee at the time h
! the two fight principals had their can
didates and a hopeless deadlock seemed
to exist.
Then came the naming of Tex Rick
ard as referee and the strong indorse-
ment of the promoter of both Jeffries
and Johnson. The official declaration
regarding Richard was believed by
many as only a ruse to give the In
terested parties further time in which
to agree on an experienced referee who
would be satisfactory to all concerned.
Rickard Explains.
\ Richard himself is giving not the
slightest heed to all the talk over
kyhItaf. .oointn1nn When gOiIRht our
by the correspondents he said:
"'Why, there's absolutely nothing in
the appointment of White, except that
we must take precautions against my
accident to myself that would prevent
me from serving. n so we have APP
pointed White as an alternative. He
will be right at the ringside, of course,
but he won't have anything at all to
do with the fight unless it happens
that I'm unable to fill the job"
Charley White is a sporting celebrity,
whose prominence in New York n
the east generally has made his name
more or less familiar in this section OF
the country. He is looked upon by the
fight crowd here as one of the most
experienced ring men of the period.
Efforts were made to get In u
with White last night, but no replies
were received to the man. urgent
messages sent from Reno asking If ne
would accept the appointment, n 1t
Is thought he had already left New
York for the West.
Betting has been light so far.
Not Much Money in Fight.
No great amount of Johnson money
has come forward. even at the tempt
irg odds Of 10 to 0 and 10 to Z, and
for hat matter there Is not a great
amount of Jeffries coin In sight. Just
why the price should stand at the pres
ent quotation no n seems able 10
explain. Much grumbling is heard in
the Jeffries camp over this condition,
as all Of Jeffries's trainers n COM
panions say they are eager to lay
heavy wagers on him.
Jeffries himself cannot figure that he
is properly the heavy favorite. and IS
said to have~made the statement that
there is no apparent reason why his
chances for winning should be placed
above those of Johnson, considering his
long absence from the ring, and the
general uncertainty of his ability to
come back.
According to a statement by the au-
pervising contractor today the arena
is practically finished, and IL necessary
could be turned over to the promoters
by tonight. AS 1t now stands, seats for
10000 spectators have been placed, and
nothing remains to be done except to
fix the planks for the remaining
benches.
This is how Governor Diclxerson COM
pares Jim Jeffries and Jack Johnson
after seeing both fighters work out:
"Jack Johnson, In my opinion, Is a