Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-01
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY J. ED GEILLO.

l. 1t is now asserted by those who seem
| to have been getting inside information
that an agreement existed between Jack
Johnson and Jim Jeffries on one side and
the moving picture interests on tie other
TO let the fight go ten rounds. This ex-
plains TO an extent, at least why john
son required fifteen rounds to put away
helpless man. 1t seems further, tina;
| had the tight taken place in California
Johnson would have gone down before
Jeffres after the stipulated number Of
rounds, because the fight pictures would
have been more valuable with Jefries
Il winner than with Johnson getting the
dig end of the purse. But in some way
or otner Gov. Gilett got wise to what
was going on. and the result WAS that
he ordered the fight stopped.
The switch to Reno changed some of
the plans. 1t was all right to let tire
fight go ten rounds for the benefit OF
the pictures, but the lay-down hN John
son had to be changed, for fear that
there would be more interference and
eventually the fight might not como off
al all. The promoters feared that Gil
lett would tell what he knew, and that
Uickerson might follow in his wake and
prevent the fight. SOFT was agreed to
nave the men fight on the square, but
there was assurance given that it hou d
last ten rounds
This is the story which the wise niru
are telling and there appears to be Il
lot of logic in it.
Both ma or league races promise to be
close before the end is here, though there
is better chance for IA head -and-head
finish in the American than in the Ma
tonal League. There are four teams,
any one of which mas chance on its
present standing to land at the top of
the heap. The Athletics, of course, have
a great advantage, but Boston, Detroit
and New York all have look-iH though
it may appear slight. Detroit always has
a chance. All that jennings needs is
hrace-up on the part of his pitchers, for
he has everything else that goes to make
winner. There is nothing lacking i'll
the way of hitterS, fielders or base run
ners, and in Stanage he has better
catcher than the Tigers have been blessed
with at any time since Jennings has been
in charge Recently the pitchers have
shown up better and il they can deliver
consistent work from now to the end
there IS doubt that the race will be
close and the winner in doubt right down
TO the final game. Even if Boston and
New York should not win they will he
troublesome enough in winning a lot of
games from the leaders.
1t may be hard to figure Al Kaufman
chance against Jack Johnson, but in
aSmuch as Billy Delaney has predicted
that his prOtege will in the course of a
few years be the champion, he is at
least worth taking notice Of.
There is no better posted man on ring
affairs than Delaney, and not many
identified with the game have developed
more champions. He has yet to pick up
a dead one, and he sees in Kaufman the
man who can defeat johnson. But he is
not foolish enough to send him against
the colored champion at this time. He
wants Kaufman to have more experience,
and with this end in view has arranged
d schedule for him, which will be fol-
lowed closely. Delaney proposes to have
kaufman meet some of the lesser lights
in the hope of developing speed in his
action and improve his mental conditions.
If Kaufman can win from the fellows
Delaney will pick out for him to fight
he may be matched against Johnson
within year.
The Cubs are going to be hard to beat
In the National League race. Chances
team is going along at a better clip now
than it has at any time this season. True
it has been up against the weak St
Louis Cardinals but it may show just
as well against the stronger teams
Chances machine is a hard one to beat