New Britain herald., 1928-11-22
GARDEN OWNERS
 WAGER 0N CHAMP
Tex Rckild Puts His Honsy and
 Trust in Young Stihine

New York, Nov. 22 N@Seven of the wealthiest sportsmen in the United States, clad in immaculate evening dress, lolled behind clouds of rich tobacco smoke in the exceed ingly massive and comfortable chairs in the private offices of Tex Rickard.
 In through the closed doors filter ed the sounds that rise from 10000 bowling fans immersed in the thrills two smashing hockey teams were producing on Rickard pond in the heart of Madison Square Garden. As directors of the Garden they had just presented to the New York Rangers the Stanley cup. emblem of the worlds professional champion ship, and their work was done for the evening.
 They talked of hockey and then of fights and out of the discussion came rabid argument and finally, one of the strangest wagers ever made in sport. A pool was organized on the next heavyweight champion of the world. Each wrote his choice On slip of paper. tossed a large wad of bills or check into q hat, and agreed that the one who had chosen the ultimate winner should gather unto himself the entire pot.
 But the strpngest 0 all were the choices. Tex Rickard whose name !, A. oil h., rt-h if n the moulding of champions. placed his trust and money on the husky frame of Young Stribling. acrobatic young heavyweight from Macon. Ga. and ignored the possibilities of the one man he idoiizes as q fighter Jack Dempsey. It seemed to the rest almost breach of friendship. an admission behind locked doors that the old Manassa Mauler never again would draw on six ounce gloves, despite the ballyhood that presages another comeback.
 Dempsey had a supporter in John McEntee Bowman, hotel mag nate. Tex warned him that Jack might never return to the ring; that he had no direct knowledge on the subject; that the odds on Dempsey ever regaining the title Gene Tun- ney disgarded were long enough without adding to the uncertainty ! surrounding the former champions plans. Still Bowman took Dempsey, When the list was made up. it was found that James I. Bush, the traction magnate. also favored Stribling to win recognition as the next heavyweight king. Bush and Rickard therefore were paired in their entry and each posted the re- quired fee. Walter Chrysler, who makes automobiles, chose knute Hansen. the melancholy Dane. along with Colonel John Hammond, president of the Rangers Hockey club. A former amateur heavyweight and firm friend of Gene Tunney. Bernard Gimbel of department store fame, placed his hopes and dollars on Pauline Uzcudun, the bounding Basque from Spain. Rich- ard Hoyt, Wall street banker. chose Jack Sharkey, while Rickarh and Bush. still competing as team. took the 'field"-all the remaining heavyweights--on the payment of four times the individual wagers. When they had finished they ar- gued the matter out and then agreed to say nothing about it for several reasons, none of which mattered. But the sto-y was too good to keep and Rickard confessed the details all but the exact amount of the wagers.
 "rd have picked Dempsey" he said, except that I honestly don't know whether he'll come back. He changes his mind so fast you can't keep track of him. want to win this one just for reputation's sake. 50 l can't take any chances.
 "Stribling I really believe will be the next champion. He's young and strong and has everything. Throw out all his poor fights: he's starting | all over again. Besides, he's the only heavyweight in the bunch that will fight anyone. All the rest want to lick Johnny Risko and then be de- clared the champion"