The evening times., 1911-08-10
MATCH AROUS|NG
BIG INTEREST
international Scramble Bids
Fair to Be Greatest Ath-
letic Stunt in Years

Chicago, Aug. 1O.-The information
al sQuabble in which Frank Gotch of
Humboldt, Ia, champion, and George
Hackenschmidt Of Russia. are to
struggle for worlds supremacy in
wrestling art in Chicago on Labor
day is arousing worldwide interest,
interest greater than has 'been
shown in any sporting event in
years. On September 4 in Comis-
keys baseball park. the largest am
phitheatre built for Americas nation
al pastime this Just termed sQuabble
will be staged.
All advance indications fully bear
out predictions that the. largest
crowd that ever saw sporting
event in America will be in attend
ance when Gotch and the Russian
lion" enter the ring. Why these pre-
dictions are made Is plain simply
because this struggle needs no boost
ing; 1t has its own power of maget-
ism. Thousands of communications
even at this early date-arriving
daily at the headquarters of the En-
pire Athletic club from all parts of
the country indicate the colossal
scope Of the match.
Already the bout Is being termed
the sporting event of the country"
Labor day will tell whether 1t is or
not. But one thing is certain and
that is that the promotion of it is
going along in a way that leaves no
room for doubt as to whether those
interested believe in its greatness.
Viewing the clash Of Gotch and
Hackenschmidt from the standpoint
Of the man who is an enthusiast of
wrestling it will be a great struggle.
The battle Of two years ago in Dex-
ter Park pavilion Chicago, hasn't
been forgotten. Neither has it been
forgotten how the champion won,
after two solid hours. of. exhaustive
fighting. The bitterness of that fray
also is remembered for Gotch en-
ployed all the rough tactics known
to the art Hackenschmidt felt that
defeat, which explains why he is re-
turning to America to meet the Iowa
farmer again.
There promises to be no cessation
Of the feud. that was opened then
The bitterness is still there and un-
doubtedly the fire has been famed
by things that have happened since
Gotch, kingpin Of them all for
years has everything at stake. ex-
cept the round American dollars
amounting to $4,000, which he de-
manded for his share and is to get
The Russian lion accordingly has ev-
erything to gain. In victory Hack
may not get the lions share Of the
money taken in at the gate, but he
does not fail to see the moneymakine
defeats Gotch.
The Gotch of today isn't the Gotch
of two years ago. but any percepti-
BILE difference would be- hard to dis
cover. He is the same strong, clever
smart fellow with a wonderful wrest-
ling head, than who there is none
other better versed in the tricks OF
the game. Trickery has been one OF
the champions greatest assets. His
tricks confused the Russian when
they met the first time. 1t remains
to be seen whether they will again.
It Is the boast of Hackenschmidt
that he learned much from that me-
morable first meeting with Gotch. He
also has increased his knowledge in
American wrestling since and has
improved accordingly. The lion con-
cedes no one superiority in strength
and believes that he is now ready for
the chance that will bring him the
worlds championship.
The fesult Of this great struggle
depends mostly on Gotch. He cer-
/ tainly is no better than when he beat
the Russian two years ago, accord
ing to those who should know, but
he still maintains that inventive
genius which made him champion of
them all. Perhaps he has invented
some new tricks to employ against
the invader. If he has and they
work" the title will remain in
America. If they fail Russia may
boast the champion of the world. One
thing is certain 1t will be labor day
for Frank Gotch and George Hacken-
schmidt in Chicago on September 4
BRESNAHAN MAY
BE OUT FOR GOOD