Compact cores of coverings (Q1807563)

If \(X\) is a subcomplex of \(Y\), \(X\) is said to be a core of \(Y\) if the inclusion of \(X\) into \(Y\) induces an isomorphism on the first homotopy group, i.e. \(\pi_1(X)= \pi_1(Y)\). The author's question -- motivated by a construction of \textit{Daniel Wise}, SUNY Albany group theory conference 1996 -- is the following: Is there a 2-complex \(L\) so that \(\pi_1(L)= G\) and the cover of \(L\) corresponding to a subgroup \(H< G\) has a compact core? The opposite question is also natural, the author's Theorem 1 is related to the latter: Theorem 1. Let \(G\) be a finitely presented group. Then there exists a presentation \(P'\) of \(G\) so that if \(H\) is a nontrivial non-free subgroup of \(G\) of finite index, the \(H\)-cover of the complex \(K_{P'}\), associated with the presentation, does not have a compact core. The constructive Lemma 2 prepares the other direction Theorem 2. Let \(P= \langle X|R\rangle\) present the group \(G\) and let \(H\) be a finitely presented subgroup of \(G\). Then there exists a presentation \(P'= \langle X|R'\rangle\) of \(G\) with \(R\subset R'\) so that the \(H\)-cover of \(K(P')\) has a compact core. Theorem 2 is less satisfactory than Theorem 1, and the author mentions some conjectures of D. Wise.