Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-17

Gillett's message to Attorney General
Webb invoking the arm of the law to
put a quietus on the JeffrieS Johnson
and the Langford- Kaufman contests,
is generally regarded as knockout
blow to the fight game in California.
The issue, however. is a matter for the
courts to determine finally. and unless
Promoters Richard and Gleason con-
clude voluntarily to abandon their plan
of holding the battle of the century"
in this city. it may be several days or
longer before a definite solution OF the
chaotic question regarding the scene
of the championship contest is reach
ed.
Reno and Ely. New, and Salt Lake
City. are the alternative localities now
under consideration.
A vigorous struggle 20 defeat the
Governors attempt to stop the big fight
Is in prospect. however Mayor Nc
Carthy will come to the rescue of the
promoters he announced in a state
ment issued from Chicago last night
and the latest announcement from Pro-
moter Gleason is that the attorneys
representing him and Richard have adj
vised them to go ahead with their ar
rangements for holding the contest in
San Francisco We will act on the
advice of our lawyers" Gleason said
early today. We have not violated the
law In any way nor do we intend to-
Attorney General Webb in a state
ment issued last night. pledged him
self to stop the contest. He said:
Il am going to carry out the Cover
nors instructions. | am going to stop
the fight"
In an interview given out early in
the evening. Mr.. Webb indicated the
construction he would place on the
Jeffries- Johnson battle.
THE fact of the matter is" declared
the attorney general, that if this con-
test is one in which the contestants en-
ter the ring with the avowed intention
of knocking each other out. to use
fighting term. it is a prize fight and
against the law. If they do not con-
template knocking each other out, l
apprehend 1t is fake and ought to
be stopped
Whether Tex Richard will stand by
Gleason in contrasting the governors
order has not yet been stated. The lat
est word from Richard is that he Will
wait until the attorney generals con-
struction OF the law has been made
If we can't fight in San F"fncisco."
he said, then we will go to Rem" or
Ely, New. or to Salt Lake City. Any of
these cities will welcome us with open
arms
Jim Jeffries and Jack Johnson both
declare that if thev can't figh; in Cal
ifornia they will leave it to the promot-
ers to pick the location for the contest
as Is stipulated in the articles OF
agreement
IAN want is to fight" said john
son. IF break any o. the laws OF the
state. am willing to settle for it af-
forwards. Of course I'll go right along
with my training"
Louis Blot, who is promoting the
Kaufman angford contest. declares
that he will carry out his plans for that
event despite the governors order. He
says his lawyers have assured him that
he Is acting In conformity with the
laws in staging the fight.
BY switching the JeffrieS- johnson
fight from San Francisco to some 9TH
or point the promoters assert they
stand to lose a large sum. 1t is est-
mated that the gate receipts. if the
fight Is held here. will be in the neigh
borhcod of 100000. That sum will be
very materially reduced if it becomes
necessary to change the scene.