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e . — The Old l ith AILAAIA nTiV/RUIAA A J’j VV H, Fighters Might Have Been Game, but 'They Did Not Figure as I / una.ncie.fs *QEQS POT i JL covered :expe: RTS* * Manager Buckley Receives Offer of Match From Leading French Promoter. By W. W. Naughton. S AN FRANCISCO, CAL.. Dec. 29. While Jim Buckley, manager of Gunboat Smith, is extremely confident that his heavyweight will defeat Arthur Pelky at Daly City on New Tear’s Day, his faith in the gun ner is not causing him to make the mistake of counting chickens before they are hatched. Within the last day or two Buckley has received a cablegram from a lead ing French promoter In which the gunner is offered a match in Paris with either Georges ' rentier or Sam Langford. "Did you accept?” Buckley was iasked. “Not yet,” was the reply. "It will be time enough to do that when the Gunboat-Pelky battle has been fought. I do not suppose they would want Smith if Pelky beat him.” * * * THERE’S a touch of chivalry about 1 Buckley’s action in the matter, but while he intends to be thoroughly sure of his ground before acknowl edging receipt of the offer from Paris, he has practically decided what he will do in the event of Gunboat win ning from Pelky. “If it had not been for Jack John son breaking his arm with the other Johnson, Gunboat would have looked for a match with Jack and no one else,” said Buckley. “Smith has beat en Langford once and that should be enough, especially in a case like this when every tough opponent you dis pose of means a step nearer the championship. “With Jack Johnson out of it for several months, as he will be, if, in deed, he ever fights again, it is a horse of another color. We will be quite willing to meet either Langford or Carpentier and Will journey to Paris if necessary to make a match. We w r ould prefer, though, tcj box in this country. Sam Langord is barred In New York, but I will give Carpen tier a personal guarantee of $10,000 if he will agree to meet Gunboat there ’within the next few days. If this of fer is not acceptable *it will be a case of packing our trunks and crossing tlio w ater, for there will be no one liift on this side for Gunboat*to box.” * * * 1} Ut’KLEY is more than pleased at the way Gunboat’s training is progressing over at Shannon’s. He considers the gunner lucky in having Jack Hemphill and' Bill Sloan for sparring partners. “I don’t think Gunboat ever was as well fixed in that line before.” said Buckley. “These fellows are grand workers and they keep Smith well ex tended all the time they are boxing with him. I am sure he will be in the shape of his life when he meets Pelky on New Year’s Day.” Buckley referred to the fact that Pelky is a much heavier man than Gunboat, but says that Smith has be come aocustofned to weight handi caps and thinks nothing now of con ceding ten or twenty pounds to an opponent. “We look for a stiff fight, but at the same time w*e expect to win,” said Buckley. “We are glad that Pelky has made so many friends among the sporting element since he opened shop at Millett’s. We have heard so many stories about his speed, his pluck, his great strength and hard looks that I sometimes think some of the boys are trying to scare the gun ner. I saw where one writer said that all Pelky needed was a cloak of wild animal skins, a rough whisker around his face and a war club in hi? hand to make him look like the origi nal cave man.” Players Allowed at Baseball Hearing CINCINNATI, Dec. 29.—A committee of ball players, probably headed by David L Fultz, will appear before the National Baseball Commission when it meets here January 5, to present their requests to that body in behalf of the Players’ Fraternity. Members of the commission are de sirous of having other members of the fratermty present, besides the chair man, in order that they may personally hear the replies given to their ques tions. Inasmuch as the latter will be of vital importance to the men, it seems probable that action will be taken to that end, not that they doubt Fultz in bny manner, but. simply to guard against misunderstandings which might arise. It Is thought that many of the re quests will be granted without delay, while others are deemed so unjust by the magnates that the situation will have to be clearly, not to say cleverly, presented in order to convince the mo guls their interests are not placed in Jeopardy. Frank Gotch Not Barred in Chicago ^ CHICAGO. Dec. 29.—That Frank Gotch, world’s wrestling champion, was to be barred from Chicago by Mayor Harrison because the heavyweight mat star failed to appear at a picnic of the local Democracy was to-day declared to be unfounded by those close to Chi cago’s executive. The Mayor’s secretary said no such announcement had been made. That Gotch agreed to appear at this picnic was denied by his manager, Emil Klank. before he departed for Salt Lake <’ity, Utah, yesterday. Klank said sev eral had complained about Gotch’s not appearing, but he added no agreement ■"as marie by the champion to appear end wrestle at that picnic. He said many such announcements are made to jjoost the attendance, apd this is an injustice to Gotch, And Christmas Comes Only Once a Year By ‘Bud’ Fisher Munich A BEAUTIFUL CITY- OVER THERE IVb IT the hofbrau und the LOV/ENBRAU WHAASM-L L A HAT MEAN ! he’s A FUNNA C. ( ) l r\ er • ^ '"'AS.CIIE - ASK H!N\ -what HE’S TALKIM ABOUT. V/ILL. TOO " 5 Oct is the uovbrau cnq ahead OF us HERE 'S THE GtNOSSPMM,*! 1 dot ins Y DAT KAIS6R- BR.AU UNO THE HIRH VVOULD You mind TELLINO GS V/HAT THESE BUILDINGS ARE AND what Brau MP Amc. • / oh:oxcuse rleasf•OXCUSE THEA ARE THE fanous BRtweAiesi u/ELL- VOT KIN I DO FOR YOU’ t VANYTTOOUY * HONE herb - rk;ht in Tne heart of the. city ! Sidelights on Sports By A. H. C. MITCHELL ! P RESIDENT TENER, of the National League, has given at some length his views on the umpire question. Reduced to a few' words, his belief is that the players’ side ' a case should be heard before punishment of fine or suspension is made. This plan is at total variance with that of former President Lynch, who suspended or fined a player after receiving the report of the umpire. The player had no chance to present his side of the controversy. This policy is the one originated by President John son, of the American League, who believes it is the most effective way of preserving order on the ball field. • * * I F Mr. Tener carries out his ideas next season, there will he great curiosity to see how they work out. There are many who are of the opinion that the pol icy will not last long; that ^lr. Tener will find his umpires are being overridden by the players and that discipline has gone to the dogs. * * • \\J HEN players find out that VV their side of the case will be heard before action is taken by the president of the league, it is feared they will take advantage of conditions. * » * U MPIRES, as a rule, quickly be come peeved if they think a player is trying to "show them up.” They will sometimes wave an athlete to the bench simply for his actions. Many a player using strong language will “get by" because he makes his pro test quietly and without gestures, while other players will be canned when they say nothing, but do a pantomime which is offensive to the indicator man. * * * i,T [• isn't what they say. but the 1 way they say it,” is the way a prominent umpire in th Amer ican League nuts it. * * • T HERE' is a close decision at second base in a game, say between the Pirates and Phillies. The decision is against the Qua kers. Knabe. who handled the ball, and either believes he touch ed the runner before he reached the bag or is trying to bluff the umpire, makes bantam rooster rush at the official as soon as the decision is made, and. waving his arms wildly, he jumps on the ground and otherwise tries to make manifest the fact that the umpire is rotten. The umpire, knowing the Utile second baseman of old, walks away as the best means of avoiding trouble. The chances are nine in ten that Knabe, with Ifis jaws working vio lently, will follow up the official, and. while foamin^ a the mouth, gesticulate wildly. He is seem ingly on the point of taking a punch at the man in blue uniform when that official, who can not stand Knabe’s actions any long er, jerks his thumb toward the bench. • * • T T SUALLY is takes the little player about five minutes to leave the field, but finally play is resumed, and the last seen of Knabe is when he turns as he reaches the gate and casts a scornful glance at the umpire who banished him. This happens to Knabe not once, but twenty times, a season. * * * HN the other hand, Fred Clarke, manager of the Pittsburgh, will saunter up to an umpire aft er a decision has been made against his team, and. without raising his voice or moving a muscle, will hand the umpire a tongue-lashing that makes the official's ears burn. Clarke Is not canned, however, because he has not “shown up” the umpire. * * * T IAT’S the difference between Knabe and Clarke. The same difference exists between players of the two big leagues. * * * IF President Tener allows the A players to present their side of an argument with a.i umpire, it is to be feared that there will be very few suspensions in the National League next season. The players will describe their ac tions as being the mildest sort of protests, deny using violent lan guage and assume the part of of fended Innocence. The chances are that, except in serious cases, the players of both teams will stand up for the player .nd tes tify th r what the player says Is true. CROSS IS OUT TO BEIT ANDERSON IEV YEAR’S OUT Food for Sport Fans L Princeton Crew to Puace Cornell May 23 ITHACA. N. Y., Dec. 29.—Princeton will race the Cornell varsity eight on Cayuga Lake May 23 next. It is not definitely decided yet whether the Tigers will send their freshmen eight for the regatta. Efforts are being made to make th* Jrace a triangular affair Yale has bevfi invited to send her crews, but no acceptance haa yet been received from By H. M. Walker. OS ANGELES, Dec. 29.—The “in and out” streak that has zigzagged all the way through Leach Cross’ ring record apparently has been lost sight of by the confi dent admirers of the Broadway light weight. That Cross will be backed into fa voritism over Bud” Anderson on the occasion of their New Year’s Day dash before the Pacific Athletic Club at Vernon seems most likely. Probably one reason why Cross’ friends believe that he will put up a “good” showing on tne afternoon of January 1 is the fact that another losing bout right now would set Leach down and out. The New Yorker is fighting with his back to the wall. Meeting the little chap at the theater Thursday right, I reminded him of his position, und was not surprised to hear that he had already spent many hours “doping” this feature. “I’ve lost the last two times out,” -said Leach. “And no matter how popular you have been the public soon gets tired of looking at a loser. ”1 put up a /rattling good fight against Ritchie in New York, but i lost. I came straight to California and went through the toughest twen ty rounds of my life, only to be licked by Rivers. “Right now I'm hanging on by sus picion, you might say. Don’t think that 1 am foolish enough not to see what has happened to me. If I lose to Anderson, I’m a dead one. Can you see me standing around on the comers talking to Kayo’ Brown, Young Corbett and the rest of that bunch who used to keep alive by tell ing each other what killers they used to be? No, sir, I’m training faith fully and 1 will try my best to win from Anderson. “I can outbox ‘Bud’ all the way'. The thing I have to guard against is his body hammering during the clinches, and keep a constant eye out for that sleep punch. He carries the punch, all right., and It’s the best of its kind in the market, i respect the boy, but I’ve got to beat him to keep my business going.” $40,000. "Is it realt Is it. car next?" Tinker auks with puzzled soul. “All this money that thou burnest May be but a phoney roily We fail to see how the Washington club will profit by the yarn that Wal ter Johnson will be insured for $100,- 000. Walter does not need that sort of press agent work. It would be a great relief these days to read a baseball story that is not punctuated with dollar signs. It is a lead-pipe cinch that the English fashion of wearing evening dress at the ringside will never be come popular in this country. A ringside spectator here needs a rain coat or a bathing suit. “Red Killifer is the greatest catcher in the world/' avers Red Dooin, who evidently has not heard of Jimmy Archer. New York University, which did not score a touchdown all last season, has decided to number its players. Tt now behooves New York University to tell us why. Nobody is greatly surprised at the report that Abe Langt. - intends to quit the A. B. C. The surprising fea ture of it is that he stood it as long as he did. If John McGraw really wants noise in his infield he can hire Danny Mor gan and Tom Jones at reasonable rates. Baseball has advanced so rapidly in late years that a star ball player is worth almost as much as a case of eggs. Mamutoff, the Russian Rassler, had to gain the consent of the Czar be fore he was allowed to come to Amer ica. This will be news to the Czar if he ever hears about it. THE TOE HOLD. By F. Gotch.) I love to gel a toehold on a large and healthy mutt: / love to break his limbs and make him holler. I love to put his shoulders on the padded eanvas—but / would rather get a toe hold on a dollar. If the Czar really did wish Mamu toff on us th© friendship of Russia for the United States is nothing but a hollow mockery. In spite of the fact that our cur rency has been reformed there are plenty of wrestlers willing to accept tainted money. We are ready to believe the mag nates who claim there is no money in baseball—especially when a minor league franchise sells for $175,000. THE LIFE SAVER. How dull these winter days would be without the Tinker deal! llow sad. and full of discontent the baseball scribe would feel! Without you, Joe, our life would be a slow and listless game, And so we hope you keep it up at least tilljtpring has came. Surgeons in Paris are astounded by a man who lives with only half a brain, but what would they do if they ever met Ping Bodie? The tennis critic who ranks three men higher than Maurice McLough- lin shows almost as much human in telligence as some of the gents who pick All-American football teams. It is said that Max Fleischmann once ran a semi-pro team, but we fail to see wherein he is much better off now. Joe Tinker has been in baseball long enough to know that it is a heinous offense to ask a magnate for more money. As we understand it. Miller Hug gins traded Harmon for harmony. McCarey May Match Clabby and Gibbons For Go January 17th CHICAGO, Dec. 29.- Larney Lichten stein, newly appointed manager of Jimmy Clabby, ia West-bound to-day. He Is heading for Los Angeles, where he will meet his protege. Before leav ing last night Larney declared that Wuen lie and James returned to this city Clabby would be the undisputed middleweight champion of the world. Unless plans fail. C abby’s first bout will be with Mike Giboons in Ia>s An geles. Torn McCarey wants the pair for January 17. and Larney is willing to dose the matrh providing Gibbons will permit his charge to do 148 or 150 pounds at 3 o’clock. “Jimmy Is the only real middleweight in the business, all the others are light heavyweights, but we’ll finish them all before another six months roll by,” said Larney. The latter believes he can do much with Steve Ketchel on the coast and will send for him as soon as he closes a match. Bud Anderson is Larney’s first choice. Big Crowds Watch Smith and Pelky as They Train for Bout SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 29.—Large crowds greeted Gunboat Smith and Arthur Pelky at what is practically the last open boxing they will do prior to their match on Ner Year’s day. Smith will perform this after noon for the Olympic clubmen, but ro’tride of ’ the b'Xing ->nd of the game is finished. He will likely do me usual shade boxing on Tues day, but he is already down to his Hghtlng weight, and there is no occa sion for any more of the strenuous grind. The Gunner had an exceptionally busy day, since there was a good at tendance at >hannon’s villa to watch him vork and to get a line on how he looks. He boxed three rounds apiece with Jack Temple and Bill Sloan, and when he had finished for the after noon his weight was announced at 180 pounds. “Dummy” Taylor Is After Umpire Berth TERRE HAUTE. IND., Dec 29 —Lu ther “Dummy” Taylor, for eight years a pitcher with the New York Giants and a record of nineteen seasons in pro fessional ball, wants to be an umpire in the Central League. He says he is confident he can use signs by whi£h both players and spectators will know his decisions, *ind as to the announcer’s duties, such as giving the names * of batteries and changes in players, he will, if necessary, carry an assistant at his own expense for the purpose. F’resident Louis Heilbroner believes the deaf-mute veteran Is a capable man for the position and if he can overcome the difficulties of his position—should be given a chance to make good. The Cigarette of Quality The biggest sell ing 5c. cigarette. Because it contains only selected, high-grade to bacco—mild, rich and sat isfying. Because it is made with same painstaking care. Because it is always of uniform quality. Whole coupon in each package. Ox. I JO forf)*-