2
WOLGAST FOOLS
ALL FIGHT FANS
Michigan Lad's Defeat of Lew
Powell Changes Pres
ent Card.
WOULD NOW SEEK NELSON
Cadillac Boy Says He's Battler's Bet
ter and Only Desires Chance to
Prove Assertion Quiet
Month In South"' ." "
BY HA RRT B. SMITH:-'-" te
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. .. TSpwclal.V
!Another shortender came" horde ttie'other
night when Ad Wolgast:. ;.. at . CartiHae
Mich., won a 20-round decision oyer Uw
Powell, the local man who" had' been" totft
ed as the chap to beat; pivttllng -elou
for the title. San Francisco fight funs
knew little. If anything,-regarding "Wdl
gast and his fighting ability. They ' did
know Powell and liked his recent flehts
bo much that they made him a 10 .to; 6
favorite. t
At this price the Wolgast 'stipport man
ifested Itself until it was coming so thick
at the finish that the price went" back "to
JO to 7. Just how Wolgast won is mcrre
or less a matter of history. He certainly
tlid the Job up brown, so there was no
chance to dispute.
And take it from me that Wolgast ye
"some fighter." As a boxer he has many
things to learn," but for a man. of his
inches and his weight he is a wonderful
little lighting machine. Likened in some
respects fo 'Battling . Kelson, because lie
Is an in-fighter, he combines the charac
teristics of other scrappers. r,
His viclousness is awful when sending
his opponent around the Ung with short
arm jolts, fashioned after the work of
Terrible Terry McGovern, and he has the
same overhand right swing to the kid
neys that Joe Gans affected.
Unfortunately; however, he apparently
lacks the necessary punch to get away
with a tough chap like the Durable Dane.
Although Powell received considerable
beating about the body, Wolgast was un
able to put' him away and was a tired
l-oung man when the fight was at an
end.
Powell a Disappointment.
Powell was a complete disappoint
ment, and his friends say he did not
make his customary fight. It was fig
ured that with his advantage In the
weights and hrs cleverness as a boxer,
Powell would be able to withstand the
rushes of the Eastern man. But the
very first round saw Wolgast swamp
ing the Californlan with his wicked
onslaughts, and he was beaten then
and there. -
Wolgast and Manager Powell left the
middle' of the 'week for Los Angeles,
' where the young scrapper Is signed
for a ten -round go with Frank Pica to
on Tuesday - night, December 14. He
has won before from Picato and does
not apprehend that he will have any
difficulty on this occasion.
. After the Picato match It is possi
ble that he will go to New Orleans for
a 20-round fight with Roy Bronson. who
recently boxed a 20-round draw with
Packey McFarland. In the meantime,
he- has Issued another challenge to
Battling Nelson.
"I have always wanted another fight
with Battling Nelson," he says, "as I
know I am his master. I have traveled
from ocean to ocean to prove that this
chance ought to be given to me, and
certainly I have earned the match I
will box Nelson at the lightweight limit,
133 . pounds ringside, any number of
rounds, and wli. bet him 2000 on the
side. Nelson has promised that he will
give me the first chance, and now. I
am going to see that ha comes
through."
Monte Attell and Manager Harry Fo
ley, who have -returned-from-Los- An
geles, where Attell fought Dannv WeJ-
ster in what a majority of the news
papers held was a draw, are very much
disgusted with -their treatment. Foley
says that Attell won all the way and
that he was robbed of the decision. .
Webster was in San " Francisco this
week to see Wolgast fight, and an ef
fort was. made to induce him to sign
with Attell. for n. 20-round right in San
Francisco this mdnth. He imposed all
sorts of v-eight conditions, and when
they were finally agreed to, he ran out
altogether.- Evidently, Webster wants
no more of Attell.
Foley says he will take Attell back
to Los Angeles and let him fight Web
ster another ten-round affair to -show
that the Southerner Is not In the same
class.
Hccembef a Quiet Month.
December promises to be a quiet
month for tne fight fans, in spite of
the fact that there are to be two clubs
holding bouts.' One permit was given
by the Supervisors to be used as a
benefit for Johnny Murphy, a San Fran
cisco lightweight who Has consump
tion, while the other goes to the North
Knd Club, -which holds the regular
date. - '
mdK S1?? - Murphy's manager, who
villi hold the benefit, will probably put
?h. ??V1ua ten-runJ matches, while
the North tndcrs have not been known
to put on a classy card. Their match
maker simply doesn't know what the
boxing game is. and picks out third
raters, because they cost him. less
money. .
WILLAMETTE makes 'money
'Football Shows Surplus, Thanks : to
Sweetland's Strict System. '
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY, Salem,
?r'W For the first time in years
football at Willamette University has
paid expenses. Under the present man
agement a surplus will be turned over to
the athletic council of the university
Coach G. J. Sweetland, by a -strict 'sys
tem of checking and responsibility, has
placed the athletic department on a
sound basis. When the season opened he
could not outfit a dozen men; but before
its close he had outfitted about 40 In
other years the ouflt of the team gener
ally disappeared; this year every suit was
turned in, checked ofT, .cleaned up and
stowed away for the coming year.
MONEY MADE ON' FOOTBAiri
' i.
Vnlverslty of Washington Clears
$2250 for Season. V .
SEATTLE, Wash., Dec. 4. Football en
riched the University of Washington ath
letlo fund by $2260 this year, according
to the report of Graduate Manager Victor
Zedntck: The receipts amounted to:
417.S3. while the expenses totalled J7100.
The splendid showing this year has In
creased the balance in the treasury to
JfiOOO. - Oflt of the tTlOO spent, many Im
provements, of a permanent character
liave been made.
Washington's profit In the Thanksgiving
day game with the University . of Ore
gon was -J4900. "'"
An athletic stadium to cost 40.000 Is to
be constructed on the university campus
to hold 20,000 persons within which Is to
a quarter-mile track, a gridiron and
uuoeuM.it neia.
JEFF CAN NEVER COME BACK
Gans Says He Is a Has-Been as
Against Johnson.
NEW YORK, Dec. 4. Joe Gans, former
lightweight champion who came to New
York this week to witness the signing
pf articles for the Jeffries-Johnson fight,
believes that Johnson will be an easy
w unit r.
r'Jcffrles Was a world beater in his
prime." said Gans. "but like myself, he
can never come back. Johnson is the
cleverest big man in the world. He is
more scientific than Jim Corbett and Is
a harder hitter. vr will tir Toffi-i
and will be the winner in less than 25
rouiws, -
League Meeting Will Be Short.
CHICAGO. Dec 4. President R R
Johnson, of the American League, said
yesterday i that at the meeting of base
ball officials In New York business would
be transacted In a hurry. He. said the
National .Commission . would meet De
cember .11.; and on Tuesday, December
14. the American .League meeting will
Degin anq win continue on the "16th.
GOOD BOUTS PROMISED
BOXERS A?TD WRESTLERS TO
CONTEST' AT ATHLETIC CIiT7B.
Various" Athletic Organizations of
..- Portland AV1U Be Represented-'.'
In Tournament.
Tomorrow night at the clubrooms,
Williams avenue and Morris street, the
Catholic Young Men's Club will hold a
championship boxing and wrestling
tournament which promises to be the
equal of any- event of the kind held
here in the past.
The programme consists of 10 events
in which the best young boxers and
grappiers of the various amateur or
sanitations in the city will be reore
sented. The Catholic Young Men's
Club, organized more than a year ago.
is seriously thinking of changing the
name oi tne ciud to a non-sectarian
one.
Tomorrow night's entertainment will
undoubtedly prove one of the amateur
treats or the season, for In addition
to the entries from the club promot
ing the matches, the Multnomah Ama
teur Athletic Club, the Portland Turn
Verein. the Portland Y. M. C. A. and
-.tommy Tracey's Athletic Club have
sent in several entries.
The Multnomah Club hau entered
Richie Hewitt and Merrltt McCarl, the
crack young 105-pound boxers, who
nave made such a strong Impression
on the fans in their two previous bouts.
as well as Gene West and other clever
exponents of the boxing game. E. E.
Vinson, the clever wrestler of the
winged "M," who Is a deaf mute, is
also likely to meet Steeples, the Y. M. C.
A.- heavyweight grrappler, who recently
scored over the Multnomah man In a
return match. This grappling bout has
not yet been decided upon, though it
is more than likely to be staged, as
both principals are anxious for a re
turn engagement. .
Dan O'Brien, the clever 135-pound
boxer of the East Side organization, is
scheduled , to meet Gene West, of the
iuuiiuoman jiuo. . though It may be
necessary to secure another opponent
for him, as Boxing Instructor nmni.
Sf Vlt Multndmah Club, is somewhat
uuuunui a iu wnetner west will be in
shape for such a bout at this time, and
will not allow his entry to go on un
less he is iu bhspe. Danziger, who has
..jvyeu, great success with the Mult
nomah Club classes, is anxious to
match West with O'Brien,
Frank O'Brien, brother to Dan.
met Oimar Dranga at the recent city
.,,,0.111,0, win not enter the 125
pound class this time, for he Is better
able to make 115 pounds and will go
iii to this class.
GHIGAGOANS MAY GOME
FOOTBALIi GAME BETWEEN EN
GLEWOOD AND WASHINGTON.
High School Teams Negotiate for
Gridiron Battle During the
Christmas Season.
A football game probably will be
Played In Portland some time during
the Christmas holidays between Wash
ington High School, the champion teVim
of the Portland Interscholastlc League,
and the Englewood High School of Chi
cago, the Chicago interscholastlc pen
nant winner.
Manager jj'razier, of the Washington
High team, and the Englewood High
manager, have been corresponding for
several days in regard to the proposed
game, and last Thursday Frazier re
ceived a telegram from the Chicago in
stitution saying that the team would
come West if two more games could
be arranged with the proper guaran
tees. If present indications mean any
thing, the team will -come West and
Play games In Portland, Tacoma and
Seattle.
The Ann Arbor High School about
two weeks ago sent a request for a
game with the champion Portland
team, but arrangements were not com
pleted and, as nothing has been heard
from this -school in the last few days
it is not thought likely the team wili
make the trip. . .
The Chicago" school asks a $1500
guarantee from the Portland team. Tha
expenses of the trip will be at least
$3000, and the management desires a
positive guarantee of that amount from
the different Western . schools with
which games are being negotiated.
The Englewood school is also arrang
ing contests with the Lincoln High
School of Seattle and the Tacoma High
School. The three games will all be
played during the Christmas and New
1 ear's holidays. ' -
In order to raise the necessary $1500
guarantee, the gate receipts necessarily
will have to be considerable, and the
attendance will have to be as large as
ot .most of tie college games which
have taken place nere.
The Washington, High team has not
been practicing during the past two
weeks, but will put in at least two
weeks, of strenuous rehearsal before
the game, It It. Is arranged for. It Is
thought the matter will be decided
definitely this week.
-..Hermann to Address Elks.'
. ROSEBURG, Or.. Dec. 4. (Special.)
Elks' annual memorial services will be
held here Sunday, December 5. The
speakers are Binger Hermann, of this
city, and Archdeacon Chambers, of
Portland. Roseburg has the largest
lodge In the state outside of Portland.
TIIE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAND,
TWO CLEVER YOUNG-BOXERS
BEHIND -SEEN
Rickard and Gleason. Not Alone
in Promoting Battle.
COFFROTH REAL PROMOTER
Immense Size of Bid Will Make It
. Necessary for Fight to Pravy Ear
Greater Crowd Thaii Any
- E-xr Held Previously. -
BfW. J. PETRA1X; .
James J. Jeffries and Jack Johnson
have finally decided upon the combina
tion of promoters who will have the
handling o their coming fistic encoun
ter for the. world's heavyweight cham
pionship, and also the date of the mo
mentous occurrence in the fistic world.
Jack Gleason and "Tex" Rickard are
awarded the bout, while July 4 Is the
date named when the two big men will
enter the ring.
The bid of Jack Gleason and VTex"
Rickard of $101,000 for this big fight
seems like an outrageous figure to be
paid for a fistic engagement, yet these
promoters evidently know their busi
ness, and If they fall short of the re
quired amount to make goo3,- Jt -will be
their fault alone.
If $101,000 would be the entire ex
penses to be incurred the promoters
could rest reasonably sure of at least
an even break, but when one figures on
advertising, rentals, preliminaries, help
and other Incidentals, the.. expense of
the big battle will reach half again as
much coin of the realm, and in order to
reap any benefit themselves the pro-
oters will need a house" valued at
$175,000 or $200,000 to pay them for
their pains. If they get this much they
will break all records.
Coffroth's Hand Discerned.
Jack Gleason, or John J. Gleason, as
the San Francisco "turkey-cock" pre
-s- ' ' - ---- j? s
If '.txA,;. , J """ " - -: :
Vx r . y 'I, j Ns
Tff&&' I ;.?.' t . 1 v '::S;:''-::b:::
ft-- : . - I , t
.. . . 4 :ttt,j
Mi
PERCENTAGE OF FOOTBALL FATALITIES IS
COMPARATIVELY LOW, SAYS W, J. PETRAIN
Death of Byrne Due to Fact That He Went Into Game in Unfit Condition Compilation of Inaccuracies as to
"Football Accidents Is Cited.
BT W. J. PBTRATN.
Ever since the death of Cadet Byrne,
of the United States Military -Academy
team as a result of participating in a
football game, a constant series of at
tacks upon the American intercollegi
ate game has been waged by. the 'anti"
faction, and this one-instance is cited
above all others In the effort to excite
public prejudice toward the present
style of play . -
Naturally the death of Cadet Byrne
is a regrettable occurrence, but simply
because of that one instance the ob
jectors should not make such broad as
sertions nor go to the extreme of
stretching the truth to bear up their as- I
sertlons. But they have done so, for it
Beems a part of their preaching to In
crease the dangers of everything with
which they, are not In accord, to ex
tremes. - - . -
Admitted that Cadet Byrne died as the
result of football Injuries, his death was
not and cannot be attributable to the
game itself, but to the rules of the
game which permitted him to play when
he was undoubtedly unfit -to -. particl-"
pate in such a contest.
Fatality Percentage Xiow.
Considering the number 6f toiayers in
volved in football every year, and the
number of accidents, the game can' be
said to be freer from fatalities or per
manent injuries -than any -other branch
of, sport . with- the possible-, exception of
baseball. Baseball has its accidents,'
bue because of the greater number of
players Involved and the lphgor season
enjoyed, the percentage of fatalities
and accidents Is probably milch less
than football-.
At Whitman College. Walla Walla.
It is reported that the faculty has or
dered tha abolition of football, which, if
so, -means-the practical eliminatioa - of i
WHO WILL APPEAR BEFORE CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S CLUB;
fers to be styled, 'is not a promoter of a
great deal - of experience, and "Tex"
Rickard gained a great deal more fame
In pulling oft one; fight than was ever
accorded another promoter In the his
tory of the game; so it Is quite percep
tible that the fine Italian hand of one
James J. Coffroth is back of the whole
business.- For some unforeseen reason
Messrs. Gleason and Rickard announce
that Coffroth will "probably" be taken
into the combination, "because he owns
several moving-picture . machine pat
ents" needed in thl8 branch of the fistic
game, for Jeff and the black must be
grabbed in action by- the camera In
order to insure meal tickets for some
time after the bout. '
It's an even-money bet that Coffroth
has more to say about' the big. bout than
any single individual hailing from any
where near the Golden State. -
Long Walt Ahead.
Getting'to the big fellows themselves
it seems that both were "delighted" to
arrange the meeting for such a far
away date as July 4, and probably both
used good Judgment in doing so, at
least as far as the betterment of their
condition is concerned. However, the
poor public, which is always the "goat"
in such matters, will now be compelled
to listen to the chirrupings of the big
white and the burly black for some
thing like seven months before the
satisfaction of seeing either of them
licked is to be had.
Setting the date at such a remote
period may be good for the fighters, but
the poor suckers we bet - a couple of
nickels or so on the outcome will re
main on the anxious seat a good long
time. . In the meantime they will scan
every item relating to the condition of
Jeffries with the-utmost eagerness.
Hardly any attention will be paid to
Johnson's condition, for npne of the
wise ones care whether he is fit or not.
Jeff , is the man nine out of every ten
you meet wants to see win. and all of
them will do their level best to ar
range matters so that they can be at
the ringside when the "lovely" strug
gle comes off.
Big Jeff will be watched closer than
any -fistic marvel of past or present
standing, and his every action between
now and July 4 will be chronicled to
the world. He will be praised, toasted
and pampered and shunned for the next
six months, for he Is depended upon to
uphold the supremacy of the white race
agrainst the black, and as he displays
class or the opposite he will be so dealt
with by the experts and near-experts,
all of whom will have a fling at the big
that institution from consideration as
far as athletics are concerned. The
other Northwestern institutions have
not even considered the proposition to
place football under the ban, and if
Whitman has enacted such a drastic
rule it stands alone in the Northwest.
President Campbell, of the Universi
ty of Oregon, has put himself on record
as favoring the intercollegiate game,
but requests a modification of the rules
in certain instances.1 President Camp
bell has always maintained a most
favorable attitude toward all branches
of athletics, and it has been througn
the medium of this attitude on his part,
that Oregon has enjoyed such wide
spread success as an athletie as well
as an educational Institution.
Compilation of Inaccuracies.
For ' the benefit of ' those who. have
read the published reports of the dead
resulting from football in 1909, the
following list of inaccuracies compiled
by O. H. Luck, a football authority of
Albany, or., who follows the Eastern
events thoroughly, show the Injustice
done the game: - N
Langdon Babcock. 'Buffalo, N. V.. included
In the 1909 casuality list, was dear! threa
months before the 1909 football season be
gan. He died of pneumonia said to have been
contracted from injuries received In a game
played under the "old "rules" In the year
1905.. Uujustly chalked up against 1909
football.
Charles B. Jacks, Denver, Colo.," included
in 1909 casuality list. Died four months be
fore the season of 1909 began. He was a
football player in 1906 and had not played
since November, 1906. The 1909 rules were
"not to blame for this.
Domestic Define. Massillon, O. Included in
1909 -casuality. list. Died of consumption
live and one-half months before 1909 foot
ball season beiwn. Said to have contracted
consumption during football season of 1908.
Unjustly included in 1909 list.
Morrill Ricketts. Forest, 111. Died eight
Um previous lx taottuM easoa o l&uli.
DECE3IBER 5, 1909.
fellow during the coming period of sus
pense. In Eastern - snnrtin o if.iaa 1.
seems to be quite a clamoring for a
matcn oetween jack Johnson and Sam
j-iangrord, which same bout Is desired
held previous to the battle between
Jeffries and Johnson. ."Boston" Sam
has been camping on the trail, of John
son for many moons, and has been
much peeved of late because of his
dusky brother's apparent Indifference to
his presence on the pugilistic map, and
as Sam has unearthed an "angel" who
announces his readlnensa tn mtno-iA a Ha
posit of 10,000 "plutes," the Boston black
luiiiKa me colored gentleman from Gal
veston way should consider his bellow-
mgs, at least temporarily.
CRONIN : CLCB'S HEAD AGAIN
Hunt Organization Re-elects Him
' President Unanimously.
Ambrose M. Cronin, president of the
Portland Hunt Club for the last x-ear
was unanimously re-elected by the ' club
at the annual meeting held in the offices
or ur. William Wood in The Oregonian
building last night. The members were
agreed that the services of President
Cronin had been of such heneflt tn th.
club that it was essentia! that he bt
retained in office another year. Despite
his objections he was forced to accept
me oil ice.
The nrinclnal riunn fnr tiio .u!nnin
of President Cronin for a second term
was tne success or the recent horse
snow, wnich, to a great extent, was due
to the untiring efforts of the club's chief.
Harry L. .Corbett was nhnspn vlpp.nveui.
dent, succeeding William M. Davfcs, who
"'""u iciiuminauon. t. ts. Lamson
and Sydney Lowenberg were elected sec
retary and treasurer respectively. James
Nicol was selected as master of hounds,
and Dr. R. J. Chipman and William War
ren were elected directors.
The reports of the various officers and
committees showed the, xinh
flourishing financially. The prospects for
me coming year are orlght as the club
expects to open Its new clubhouse soon.
Stock on Range Suffers.
ONTARIO. Or.. Dec. 4. nn, ,,.,..
falling here about 7:3 , and the wind
-1 .-. V. . V. T I i .
" utuwuig iieavy gaie all day.
Stock on the ranges is suffering great
ly, as the thermometer registers about
15 degrees above. Trains are all de
layed four to -six hours.
His name is unjustly included in 1909 list
Charles Becker. Findlay. O. An 11-year-old
boy. Was tackled in a back lot by some
. - - - " j " " -' lumuaii ruies are not
to be blamed for this. He died during the
unjusny inciuaea.
Samuel Moore. Camden. N. J. Died eight
months previous to football season of 1909
Reports charge that he "died suddenly" as
Vh rT'U t.ot bJolns kicked in the groin on
Thanksgiving day. 190S; fact is he died
January 21 1909, yet his name appears un
justly in the list for the season of 1909
which began In September.
John McArthur, Wabash, Ind. Injured at
football la , 1908. Died nve months before
season of 180O. Unjustly recorded in list
Of casualties for season of 1909
Walter J. Lufsey. Jr.. Richmond, Va. A
football player who died of pneumonlt said
to have been contracted during thi season.
Violence under 1909 rules not to blame
Frank Trimble. Bloomlngton. 111. A foot
ball player who died of blood poisoning re
sulting from a small scratch that was not
cared for. The 19ft9 rules not to blame His
name U unjustly included. .
Verne Merrill. Janesvllle. wis. - Died of
blood poisoning resulting from -uncared for
Injury In 1909 football. Unjustly chalked up
against 1909 rules.
Russel P Heckel, Pittsburg, pa This
boy refused to tell how and where he was
hurt. The coroner's Jury has charged the
Injury to 19t9 footbal. which U probably
correct but not absolutely certain.
m" 'oii " . "r1"' Ma" or November
20. 1909. claims only five victims of foot
ball during the season of 1809. This would
be a remarkably low record for any sport
The above shows 12 out of the 26 deaths
not entitled to a place iri the list.
The above list of fatalities was given
out in a recent publication of the
deaths claimed due to the game dur
ing the past season. The list was
manifestly inaccurate, else such glar
ing errors could not have occurred.
However, most agitators against foot
ball do not care to what extremes
they go to accomplish their end, and
because of this they are quite likely
to be rebuffed, and the truth usually
comes U light eventually.
rars loss is
LAID TO JEFFRIES
Enmjty Prevents Acceptance
of Bid From Los Angeles
Fight Promoter.
JEFFRIES' STOCK TUMBLES
Stories ftom East Go to Show. That
Former Champion Is Far From
' Being In Pink of Condition,
lie Breathes Like Horse.
CHICAGO, Dec 4. (Special.) Sporting
rrien. returning from New York say that
Tom McCarey, of Los Angeles, lost the
Jeffries-Johnson heavyweight battle be
cause of Jeffries' animosity toward the
Coast promoter. Jeffries took' that means
of .setting even with him for competing
with him two years ago- in the fighting
game in-Los Angeles.
McCarey's bid looked 'to be the best
of the lot that was thrown Into the pool
for the fighters consideration. It carried
with it a flat offer of a purse of $125,000
and half of the picture privileges. v
According to all of the stories that
have been told of the opening of the bids,
McCarey's offer never stood the .ghost, of
a chance of -being accepted, there evi
dently being something back of the mat
ter that did not appear on the surface.
Now it is said that Tom lost because of
Jeffries' deep-seated enmity.
Johnson People Assist.
It is said that Jeffries, through Sam
Berger, went to the Johnson people and
asked them to stand with him in the
rejection of whatever bid McCarey might
make. It Is said this pact was put
through, and that McCarey could not
have obtained the fight, no matter how
strong he went.
Ail is not such clear sailing for the
Jeffries troupe of - giant athletes
through the East, it would appear from
the dispatcnes from that section of the
country. Jeff's "condition has evident
ly not impressed some persons who
look upon such matters with the cold,
gray eye of the gambler.
Jeffries' Stock. Tumbling.
A story from Philadelphia regarding
a sort of inquest that six learned phy
sicians .held on .the. bis fighters is to
the effect that they decided that
Jeffries is due-for one -grand whaling
when he meets the colored man. They
decided that his' condition' Was imper
fect, and. that. It. could not be bettered
any at his time of life.
Out of- Boston, sneaks the tale that
Jeffries' condition there after a lively
bout with Sam Berger was so bad that
Jeff's distressed breathing made many
believe a horse with the ueavea was in
the house. Boston is not going broke
on Jeffries, the way It once did on
John L. Sullivan, that's plain.
PURSE . TO BE SPLIT EVEN?
Humor Is Jeffries and Johnson Have
Private Agreement.
NEW YORK, Dec. 4. The secrecy of
the meeting of Jeffries-Johnson and the
fight promoters in a Hoboken hotel Just
before announcing the signing of articles
of agreement is now believed by many
sporting authorities to have been for the
purpose of -making a second and private
agreement In which the- principals stipu
lated to split the purse of $101,000 evenly
Instead of 75 per cent to the winner and
25 per cent to the loser.
The reason ascribed for this secret
change In the published division of the
purse Is that at 75 and 25 per cent each
contestant was betting the other three
to one that he would win, while as a mat
ter of fact, no such odds prevail now or
are they expected to be offered. It is now
considered an even-money chance.
The night after the bids for the fight
were opened and the day the Rickard
bid was accepted, "Tex" Rickard spent
eight hours in Jeffries' room.
RULES WILL BE REVISED
MANY FOOTBALL ACCIDENTS IX.
SUHE CHANGES.
Suggestion Made by Champion Jef
fries Likely to Be Adopted Calls
for Shorter "Rest" Time.
BY OBSERVER,
tvtih . the close of the football season
of 1909 those Interested in the future of
the popular college sport have already be
gun to speculate on changes in the rules
which will make for more open playing
ana eliminate, as muen as possible, the
element of danger that resulted in so
many serious Injuries this season.
The problem that confronts the rule
makers this Winter Is a hard one. With
the opening of the present season, the
third under the revised rules, it was
thought most of the knotty questions that
threatened the very life of the old game
with its heavy mass plays and frequent
injuries, had been solved. The very con
trary has proved the case, and the big
casualty list has given opponents of foot
ball, most of whom never took part in
the game or even seen more than one or
two contests, a chance to renew their an
nual agitation for the abolition of the
sport.
Undoubtedly several changes should be
made in the rules, but at the same time
it can be said that the case against foot
ball, as played today, has been greatly
exaggerated.
"Mass" Playing Most Go.
However, it is agreed everywhere
that some changes in the present rules
should certainly be made, and the
problem before the rules committee
will be to eliminate the last vestige of
"mass" playing, which cropped out un
expectedly this season after it was sup
posedly reduced to a minimum, and to
open up the game still more, without
making it so open that it resembles a
modified game of basketball. It is this
later objection that lovers of the Amer
ican college sport have to Rugby foot
ball. This game is so extremely open
and full of activity that it palls on the
average American spectator, who ' is
used to the more concentrated effort
of the college sport.
One of the most sensible revisions to
the rules so far suggested to eliminate
njunes comes from Jim Jeffries, the
prize-fighter. After seeing a contest
at Chicago this Fall. Jeff declared that
one phase of the game made it more
brutal than anything in the prize-ring.
vvnen a man goes down in the rinir.
he has only 10 seconds to come back
before being counted out." said Jeff.
"In football, you jrive him two minutes,
and he' can "confe" Back as often as he
Is able to totter, to his-feet. When
man once has to take time for an In
Jury, take him out and put in another
player in his place."
This suggestion of the big' pugilist's
was such a pertinent one that it has
almost unanimously met the favor of
men like Coach Stagg, of Chicago, who
is . enthusiastically for its adoption.
Coach Forbes, of Oregon, Yale, and Ail
American end in 1907, also has this to
say about such a change:
"A rule like that would do more to
eliminate serious injuries than any
other that could be passed. Look
ing back over the present sea
son, you will find that most of
the serious injuries were received by
men who had been previously hurt and
were In no physical condition to play.
If they had been taken out the minute
time was first called for them and sub
stitutes put in their places, they would
have been all right. Byrne, the West
Pointer, and the University of Virginia
pl.xyer who was killed, and Wilson,
of Annapolis, who suffered a broken
back, were all hurt after having pre
viously taken out time for minor hurts,
which weakened them so that their
muscles were no longer In physical
condition to protect them in the scrim
mages. "At Oregon this season, the same thing
proved true. Nearly every man who was
injured to any extent was hurt after hav
ing taken out time. I would go further
than making it compulsory to take a man
out In such a case, by providing that he
could not again play football until a phys
ician had examined him and declared him
physically fit. Such a rule would also
remove the objection so often made to
football, that it Is a game for a few men
only. Larger squads would have to . be
developed, and many more would get the
physical benefits that the game would
bring under such restrictions."
Many Changes Suggested.
Many changes have been suggested for
promoting more open play. Of these the
ones that meet most favor with old foot
ball men and coaches have to do with
Increasing the yardage to be made on
downs and taking off many of the present
restrictions to the use of the forward
pass.
Coach Stagg has come out In favor of
Increasing the present 10 yards in threw
downs to 15 yards in three downs or 10
yards 1n two downs. When the rule mak
ers three years ago increased the dis
tance from five yards to 10 yards in three
downs, as at present, much was done
towards opening up play. This new revi
sion would go still further in that direc
tion. Some such legislation Increasing the
distance is almost certain. An additional
radical change prohibiting straight line
bucking except inside an opponent's 20-yard-Iine
would make mass-playing of
any sort Impossible on the greater part
of the Held, and would limit even the
most modified forms of it to a few
downs near the goal line.
Plan to Stop Crawling.
Many players have been injured trying
to crawl with the ball after being downed.
At present a rule penalizes members of
the defensive team who pile up on a pros
trate player, but if the ball were called
down the minute the player was on the
ground, whether a tackier was holding'
him or not, crawling would be stopped
short and its attendant danger of injury
entirely eliminated.
These are the principal changes In
the rules which most of the critics con
sider necessary, and which are most
likely to be subjects of legislation by
the rules committee, but countless
other revisions have been suggested.
One of these is to prevent the running
back of punts, and the injuries often
resulting to the runner " from fierce
open-field tackling, by providing that
the ball must be in play on the spot
where it is caught, end with a fair
catch. This, however, would eliminate
onei of the most spectacular features
of the game, and would give a good
kicker a tremendous advantage. Again
it is suggested to do away with cleats
on the players' shoes, a prolific source
of minor cuts and bruises, to abolish
the straight-arm, to limit interference
to one or two men in compact forma
tion, to prohibit the defensive player
from using his hands on any part of
his opponent's head, and many others
of like nature. These will doubtless
receive due consideration by the rules
committee, but it Is not likely many of
them will be acted upon.
There will always be Injuries in any
active, lively game like football, which
all the legislation for open play in
the world can't legislate out of being.
In fact, the lesson drawn from open
play so far seems to be that it actually
results in more injuries, but usually of
minor nature, seldom resulting seri
ously, while the men hurt in mass
plays are usually seriously laid out.
This season's playing in the Northwest
bears this out. Dudley Clarke, Ore
gon's kicker, whose loss handicapped
that team for the whole season, wa
put out with a sprained ankle received
in an open formation in practice. Keck,
of O. A. C, received a sprained ankle
running in from the field. Louis Pink
ham received a broken rib in tackling
a runner in the open field in the Wash
ington game. Kiltz, one of the Ore
gon ends, was hurt in an open play
and Mitchell, the center, was put out
in the same way. On the other hand.
Cadet Byrne, of West Point, and most
of the football players killed were hurt
in heavy mass plays.
Football Rules to Be Revised.
NEW YORK, Dec. 4. Captain Palmer
E. Pierce, of the United States Army,
who Is president of the International
Athletic Association, has1 announced a
call for the annual convention of that
body in this city . on December 28, and
has announced that the subject of foot
ball revision will take up a considerable
portion of the programme. The associa
tion's recommendations as to the changes
which it deems wise for the elimination
of undue roughness and resulting seri
ous accidents will be turned over to its
rules committee, the members of which
sit with the old committee to formulate
the official code.
Indians Win Football Game.
CHEMAWA, Or.. Dec. 4. (Special.)
The Mute School basketball team was de
feated by the Chemawa Indian School
team this afternoon at Chemawa by a
score of 23 to 15. in a fast, clean game.
Fifteen and 20-mlnute halves were
played. The first half the score wos 8 to
4 in favor of the Indians. It was not un
til near the end of the second half that
the scoring again commenced. In this
half the Indians made 15 and the Mutes
11. Souvignlr. Olsen and Nelson were
the stars for Chemawa.
Denver Defeats State College.
SPOKANE, Dec. 4. Playing in two
inches of snow, Denver University de
feated Washington State College today
11 to 6. -
EX-PRIEST'S WIFE IS DEAD
Emilie Jane Loyson, Who Wedded
Pere , Hyaclnthe, Passes.
PARIS, Dec. ' 4. Emilie Jane Loyson,
wife of the ex-priest, Charles Loyson,
died today. She was born in New York
in 1833. Her first husband was Captain
Edwin R. Merman, an American.
Charles Loyson, known as Pere Hyacin
the. had been long known as a French,
pulpit orator when his marriage brought
him international fame. At that time lie.
was informed he would have to sink to
the position of layman. He protested and 1
continued to officiate at an Anglican
Church in Neuilly.