Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-15
BY J. ED GRILLo.

bx y. Ell 0kt44AOs
Special Dispatch to The Star.
ATLANTA, March 15.-f Walter john
son plays with the Washington team this
season it will be at the terms the club
has offered him. Manager McAleer de-
clares that he will not raise the salary of
his star pitcher 1 cent over the amount
he has offered him. On the other hand,
| Johnson has little to say about his case,
further than to express determination to
get what he wants, and there the matter
standg
comforting by the club officials with
Johnson unless the player seeks it. The
club has given it's ultimatum and it is
up to the player to act
Rumor has it that johnson intends to
leave for his home at Coffeyvile, Kan.
within the next few days If he does not
succeed in getting President Noyes and
Manager McAleer to come around to his
way of thinking. Johnson refuses to ad-
/ init or deny that he contemplates such
move, however.
When the. team first reported here,
Manager McAleer had a talk with john
son anent his salary, but Johnson's de-
mands were so high that McAleer In
formed him he would have to do business
with President Noyes upon his arrival
here. This conference took place. but fail
ed TO close the breach. The club figures
that 1t is willing to pay Johnson all 1t can
AFFORD, and even II it should have to go
without his services the figures will not
be raised. Johnson probably could get
contract for period OF three years. at
5000 year. but this he refuses and it
IS because Johnson signifies that he pro-
poses to get more money every year that
, the club breads to do business with him
on one-year basis at his figures. At the
rate Johnson demands increase year after
year. he would In very short time be
dra wing more than the profits of the club.
1t is pointed out, and while his value to
the team is appreciated. the club does
not feel that it should sacrifice every
thing to satisfy the big pitcher.
The failure to sign Johnson has cast a
gloom over the entire team. To go into
the next campaign with johnson outside
OF the breastworks is regarded as a
topic of their entire conversation on the
ball field and about the lobby of the
hotel is the Johnson case.
But matters have come to such turn
is willing to start the season without it's
star pitcher rather than to make any
further concessions.
President Noyes is figuring on leaving
for Washington this afternoon, and it is
extremely doubtful if he will have an
other chat with johnson unless the player
invites It,
1t is a fortunate thing for both Cum
ninghan2 and the team that the season
does not open until four weeks from to-
day. for it will take nearly all OF that
time to get the youngsters into good play
Ing condition. There IS no comparison
between the Cunningham who finished
the season with the tear last fall and
the one who is in training here now. The
winter months have slowed him up con-
siderably and the weight which is handi-
Gaping him Is not giving away as easily
as was expected. There is no doubt
that eventually Cunningham will round
into shape. but 1t is going to require
weeks to do 1t.
Had Cunningham not shown his mettie
last fall he would not be very Impress
I've infielder right now. In fact, were his
ability not known, he would hardly be
figured as one of the regulars for the
coming season. Cunn!ngham's condition
is a source of much worry to McAleer.
He had banked on this player doing much
to improve his team. and while he has
not lost faith in him he regrets that he
did not report in better condition.
The argument has been advanced that
Walter Johnson Is as much of an attrac
ton around the American Leabue circuit
as Ty Cobb, and that for this reason b Is
entitled to as much money as the Tigers
great player which is. $4,000 for three
years. but this is met with the statement
that Cobb figures to play every day or
154 games in a season. His drawing power
Is prevalent every day, while Johnson,
who Is a pitcher. appears in but thirty
ave or forty games. Johnson seems to
believe that he is entitled to as much
money as Cobb, and arguments have fall
ell to convince him on this point.
team for. ter days or two weeks, accord
Ing to message received from him by
Manager McAleer this morning. The
ailing eyes with which the big first base
man has been suffering have improved
but little and he wired that under in
structions from his oculist he is unable
TO report before that time.
Somerlot's absence is giving Henry and
Lel.velt a splendid chance to get practice
at first base, and both are showing con-
or two little faults In playing the position
as n result of his inexperience. but he is
showing up as remarkably good man for
the place, and In less than a season.
should be finished first baseman. Leli-
Welt is not far behind him. and, like his
rival, is doing better every day.
Either Friday or Saturday the Ma
,ionals will hoop up with the Atlanta
Southern League team. The exact date
has not yet been decided upon. and 1t will
be the first game the Nationals have been
pitted against a well organized team this
spring.
Clyde Milan's home run in the second
inning was the cause OF his retirement
from the game. The hit which put the
Vets in the hunt was to right center. and
Milan had to make the circuit at top
speed in order to reach the plate safely.
He was exhausted when he reached there
and on the advice of Manager McAleer re-
tired In place Of Keefe. Running at full
speed for 125 yards is still q bit too much
for most Of the players. though this sort
Of exertion will not he apt to bother them
10 any extent a week from now Milan has
not been doing much running for the rea-
son tina. he wants to hold what weight he
has. and consequently he Is not as hard
as he might be.
1t is extremely doubtful II Somerlot
would get his place a. first base II he
reports. McAieer is decidedly sweet on
Henry, and II seems determined to start
the season with him playing first base.
Not until these youngsters get UP against
the real thing in the championship sea son
can a correct line be got on them. Con-
ditions are entirely different when the
season opens and the slightest misplay
counts. 1t remains TO he seen in trying
out a youngster If he displays nervous
ness under fire. and IL he has the nerve
to take chance when much depends on
his every movement Henry seems TO
give indications that he is of the right