The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-30
BILL BROWN BEING BOOSTED
 FOR REFEREE

Toledo, May 3O;-There is but one of the more important matters still to be settled in connection with the Jess Willard-Jack Dempsey bout for the worlds heavyweight champion ship at Toledo, O., on July 4-the naming of the referee. Always a vital question in affairs of this kind, of contention than in the past It is known that several prospective ref erees have at least informally been discussed, and enough has been inti- mated by all those concerned to give insiders to understand that all is not "cut and dried.' There is much yet to be said by the rivals and ere a final selection is made a wrangle of no mean proportions is imminent.
 Mat Hinkle, of Cleveland; Jack Fitzgerald of Connecticut; Bill Brown of New York, and even Tex Rickard himself have been unofficially men toned as candidates. Whether Rick ard would accept if requested by both men to act in the capacity is prob lematical. He is said to be un- alterably opposed to doing the hon. DTS" as the third man in the ring, but AA iS NefAAAt AO ci p4ilell anu lIle DIlIEl- pals could agree on no one else there is just a chance that he might recon sider his decision and act.
 Spying into the innermost sanctum of those "'in the know has divulged the fact that there is one of those who has been suggested who stands a better chance than any of the others at this time. That man is Bill Brown Old Man Reliable Source has butted into the discussion with the informa- ton that Brown would be accepta- ble to both boxers and to the pro- motors. O. M. R. s. declares upon danger of having his rubber neck twisted that this is no buncombe, that it is positively "the goods.''
 And there is a reason to believe it. None has a better reputation or has had greater or longer experience than Brown. He has been refereeing for upwards of 30 years. and in that time his actions have never been question: ed Perhaps none enjoys as much prestige or is as popular with the boxing fans as Bill Brown. It was upon a concrete basis of fair play that he laid the foundation for his little club in West 23rd street and built it up to one of the best clubs in New York city. He kept the club go- ing for 12 years. and it was during that time that but few clubs were able to survive under the stringent enforcement of the laws in New York.
 He knows boxing and all its angles. He knows all of the little tricks that boxers resort to while in the ring They can't fool him. They can't put anything over on him. He has still more to recommend him for this par ticular bout. He is big and strong and would be able to handle both men. There is danger Of this bout being slow because of the inability of Will lard to get going quickly. He is what is known as slow starter and there probably will be a deal of clinching. It will take a strong man and an active one to keep them apart. Brown is the man who can do it.
 It Is also known that Tex Rickard is favorably inclined toward Brown. He realizes that naming Brown as the referee would be an added attraction Not that the bout needs any added at- traction, for it is big enough 10 draw a capacity house in itself, but with Brown acting as the third man in the ring the public would entertain a pleasing feeling of confidence in his ability to make 'em box" That's what the fans want and that is what they must have in this instance.
 The question of naming the referee will formally be discussed in the fnf- mediate future, and those who pro- fess to know openly declare they will not be surprised if Brown is the final selection.