Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-14
BY j. ED GRILLO.

Special Dispatch TO The Star
ATLANTA, Ga, March 14.-After a
three-hour conference between President
Moves. Manager McAleer and Walter
johnson, the star pitcher of the Nationals
failed to sign his contract yesterday.
Johnson now appears in the role of a
hold-out more than he ever has before.
1t seems that the club was willing to
split the difference with him. but this
Johnson refused, and after much talk.
oil of which was along pleasant lines.
the difference between the club and the
player is just as il was heretofore.
Johnson wants 81, 600 more than the club
in willing to pay. He demands a salary
of $500 for the season, which is a
three thousands dollar increase over what
he received last year. Not only does
he want this increase, but he gives no
tice that he eYgects a greater salary
next season. An effort to have him
sign a three-year contract failed. for
his demands were so excessive that Pres
ldent Moves refused 10 give the mat
ter any consideration. AS matters now
stand, the club feels that II must come
10 some definite understanding with
Johnson as to the future If he is to
demand an increase every year he will
be getting more money than the club
owners after year or two. Johnson
Ii obstinate in the matter. He is making
no threats, but indicates that he pro-
poses to get his price or he won't pay.
President Moves thinks that he has Of
fered Johnson every cent that he can
afford to pay. and he Is not apt TO back
down.
There the matter stands. There will
probably be another conference late this
afternoon, but whether or not the two
sides can get together remains to be
seen. In the spring of 1897 Johnson
signed with the Takoma tWashO CLUB
for $50 a month, and after pitching one
exhibition game was released. He went
TO Weiser. Idaho, where he received 500
per month. and when he came to Wash
ington he surprised the club by his de-
mands, receiving a salary the first year
equal TO that paid any pitcher on the
team. He was increased every year, and
the contract offered this year called for
5000. Walter is not satisfied with that,
however. Neither would he agree to sign
q three-year contract for anything like
that figure, so that the indications are
it Is going to be no easy matter to bring
him into the fold. President Noyes had
no trouble in signing Milan. Gessler,
Hughes and Groom yesterday afternoon.
In almost every instance the club made
slight concessions.
II is as good as settled. that not one
of the young outfielders now being tried
out will be retained by Manager Nc
Aleer. Not one of the lot has impressed
the manager as being intended for fast
company. He said very plainly this
morning that he did not like any of the
crop, and inferred that left field would
be covered by either Conroy or Schaefer
the coming season. There is only a slight
carried for utility purposes. and that
probably will be Miller, who is showing
a penchant for making base hits.
McAleer is disappointed because he
h int1- oil q
outfielder out of the bunch Of youngsters.
He had hoped 70 get one good man to
round out his team, yet he believes that
Schaefer or Conroy hill come nearer TO
giving satisfaction than any one vino
played the field last season. Conroy
has played the field before. and Schaefer
10 showing much improvement in the
position. So McAleer feels that after all
he will be better fortified than he was
last season.
Conroy Is a valuable man for any team
TO carry. He can play the in or out field
and besides Is cracking good man on
the bases. He and Schaefer are sure
Of their jobs, though IL Is not likely that
very often.
Schaefer made a most favorable i'm
preston in the first of the series OF
games between his Colts and the regu
lars He played left field. got two hits
enc a triple-made a sensational catch OF
Cunningham long line drive. for which hi
had TO cover q lot OF ground. and, Incl
dentally. displayed a good throwing arm
when he nailed Miller at the plate try
ing to score from second base on Gun
ninghams single TO left. There Is M
reason why Schaefer should not develop
into firyt-ciass man for left field. H,
seems to have all the requirements. Hi,
speed is only second to that of Milan
lie can hit and throw. and with tim,
should become very fair fielder.
Walter johnson was far from beini
himself in the game yesterday. He die
not have his usual speed. and was hi
rather freely. The cause of this was tn,
fact that johnson worked out severa
times before the game. and put in full,
half an hour fielding hunts. He was tiret
when he started to pitch and could no
get his speed. I'll do that no more
said he when he was through. II though
/ could do q lot of work before the gam
and then give a good account OF mysel
pitching, but find that II is not polio,
to work that way, and hereafter / will
take things easy when l am going I,
pitch"
IL might prove Q serious mistake Il
let Doc Ralston get away without
thorough trial during the regular season
The big lad from Akron may deyeloI
into q drst-claSs bali player one Of thes