The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-11
Bill Rodcap, Philadelphia Sporting Writer, Is To Act
 As Referee Of Big Fight
Army, Navy and Civilian Box ing Control Board, on Re- quest of Tex Rickard, Makes Popular Selection.
DHILADE1PHIA, June 11.--Jrbe ee-

DHILADEIPHIA, June 1.-The se- lection of William H. Rocap. sporting editor of the Philadelphta Public Ledger, as referee for the fight between Jess Willard and Jack Demp- sey was announced today by Major A J. Drexel Riddle, who as president of the Army, Navy and Civilian Board or Boxing Control was requested by Tex Rickard, promoter of the fight to name the referee
 "Hfmsel ia fight promoter and a for IIier amateur boxing champion. MT.
 eocap has for many years been a close follower of both professional and amateur boxing. He has refereed number of matches the most recent one being between Kid Williams and fete hermann in New Orleans. He IS president of the National Athletic Club of this city. He is also a polo expert and acts in an official canacitv In most of the polo matches in this section.
 Rfckard, with the hearty assent of Willard and Dempsey and Mayor Cor nell SchreGber, wrote a letter to Major Riddle requesting that the board ap- point all the officials to handle the bout including referee, judges and t1rdekeeper, and also to make any changes in the plans for the bout that the board might deem necessary to the successful staging of the contest.
 Tn his letter to Major Riddle, Rick ard wrote as follows:
 T am writing to you in your capac- 1ty as president of the Army, Navy and Civilian Board of Boxing Control. For many years I have been con v1nced that boxing in this country has been handicapped because of the ab- sence of a. proper organization to look after its interests
 Boxing was in an even worse con dlt1on in England when Lord Ions dale had the moral courage to come forward and establish the National Sporting Club and a board of boxing control.
 All honor to you for having done the same thing in accepting the pres 1dency of the Army, Navy and Civilian Board of Boxing Control. winch I un- derstand Col. Roosevelt would have done, had he lived
 I feel that in being responsible for the exhibition between Willard and dempsey, 1t Is in my power to do something to strengthen the authority of your board and after discussing tba ] matter with the Toledo Boxfne Com mission, two of the members of which the Mayor, Cornell Schrefber. and Its chairman, Christopher Iall---are on your board. we have decided to in vite you to assume control in reparS 10 the appointment of all the officials the referee, two judges Qf you think them adv1sable) and the ttmekeeper. also ask you to alter any conditions under which the exhibition will ba conducted, if in the opinion of your board any such conditions are incon- slstent with the laws of humanity and the rules of clean and wholesome sport.
 Before sending this invitation to your board. I, of course, consulted
 "lHaro and Dempsey, and when I pointed out the great amount of good it was in their power to do to boxing by supporting your board, to their credit be 1t said, they readily assent ed.
 'I will be obliged if you could in form me at your earliest convenience or the eecision of your board in the matter"
 Major Riddle, a millionaire sports man of Philadelphia, always has been supporter of boxing and won some amateur glove championships him seI. He seconded "Philadelphia Jack O'Brien in the latter's contest with Stanley Ketchel several years ago.
 It was said here last night that the board would respond fayorablv to Promoter Richards appeal. Rickard said he had absolutely no suggestions to make in regard to the selection of a referee, and neither Willard nor Dempsey would offer any suggestions.
 Richards announcement came as a distinct surprise to the score or more candidates who have sought to be ap- pointed referee
 The announcement from Toledo to the eHect that the selection of a referee and other officials for the big battle would be delegated to the Army and Navy and Civilian Board of Boxing Control, was last night con firmed by New York member of the board who. declared that the propczal rom Promoter Rickard would be ac- cepted. One of the board members already has been selected as time keeper and the referee and udges will be named in due time
 This action by Rickard presages a change in the American boxing situa- ton that augurs well for the sport in future. It is not unlikely that Major Riddle will be one of the judges. and Harry Payne Whitney may be induc- ed to act in the same capacity. Not only will the board supervise the com test, but it will present a champion ship belt to the winner. under condi- tfons that will compel the holder to defend his title at stated intervals This belt will be paid for by sub scriptions, and Lord Lonsdale started it off with $1,0OO, Major Riddle fol- lowing with $500 and Tex Rickard with $500.