The Washington times., 1911-04-07

opinion, is making mistake
Ralph Pratt, secretary to Commits
| sioner Johnston: THE club is abso-
lutely right. Why should it contract
any member of the league is receiving
when, in the first week he may re-
| ceive an injury which would keep him
out of the game for the entire season.
Judgment In buying Johnson a ticket
| for Coffeyville."
Clubs Stand Right. -.
L. E: Helm. chief clerk of the records
division of the Engineer Department:
The Washington Baseball Club has
taken the right stand. johnson is Of
fered salary equal to a per cent re-
turn on an Investment, of $4,000 with
out putting up cent. II he breaks his
| arm next week he is not taken off the
pay roll. II ia my opinion that he has
| made mistake In listening to the ad-
| vice Of other players"
Daniel (. Garges, chief clerk of the
Engineer Department: 81 think John
son is displaying lack of wisdom. If he
club he is out of baseball for year,
| and $500, from the viewpoint of the
! fan Is not sum to be turned down
without consideration
Police With McAleer.
lAy VI lHt lucIllDGIS OIL inc
police force are enthusiastic fans, and
the consensus of opinion among them
is that McAleer has taken the only
course open to him in letting johnson
go.
Major Sylvester, who has been hoping
| for The last few years that Washington
would develop a first division team,
thinks JohnsOn's attitude will have a
harmful influence on professional base
ball.
My experience has been with hold-up
men and not hold-out men," remarked
the major. facetiously. therefore ! am
not in a position to discuss. Johnson S
| case. Seriously. however, | think such
| cases as these always have harmful
influence to a certain extent, and the
way Johnson has acted has done any
thing but boosted the public's opinion
of professional baseball"
Inspector Robert E. Boyle said: NC
Aleer should have done 1t long ago.
Inspector Frank Cross said: "Of
course, McAleer has taken the right
course
Inspector Robert Boardman, chief of
detectives. said: johnson has made a
big mistake. He had a chance to make
$500 a year for seven months work,
and he should not have turned it down" "
the detective corps commended McAleer
for letting johnson go. In the different
precincts the patrolmen mostly sided
with McAleer.
Good Pitcher" Says Judson.
Engtneer Commissioner Judson. who
returned today from a three weeks
visit to Panama, said: johnson is
a great pitcher I am not an author
ity on baseball. but I will be disap-
pointed IL he is not in the box at the
1 TT,I4,,hkAIl,y ha &c
valuing his services at a high rate,
but even then he is a great pitcher:
Ban Johnson also Is good man, and
] think he will prove good friend
of the District"
Thinks Action Just.
Postmaster N A. Merritt, who is one
of the Postoffces most enthusiastic
fans, said: Il think the management
did the best it could for Johnson and
acted in the right. OF course, however.
l am sorry that the affair has turned
out this way"
Among the lawyers there is strong
feeling in favor Of the club, although
some Of the attorneys feel that Johnson
should get everything possible.
Fourteen Court House attaches ex-
pressed themselves in caustic terms
against Johnson's alleged exorbitant de-
mands.
"No Ty Cobb"
Judge A R MuIlowny said:
"The club in my opinion has gone the
limit with Pitcher Johnson. 1t seems
to me that johnson has come to re-
gard himself as being as great an at
traction as Ty Cobb. do not consider
him as in the same class. His de-
mands, in my opinion, are unreason-
able"
Assistant Corporation Counsel Schultz
said: 81 shall be sorry to lose Johnson,
but l think the baseball management
knows it's own business. consider
$500 a year a good price for the length
of season and I would not blame the
club for refusing to pay more than 1t
feels 1t can afford"
Clerk of Court Sebrfng's opinion is:
Manager McAleer is right from start
to finish. There is no comparison be-
tween Ty Cobb and Johnson, and John
son is absolutely unreasonable in his
demands"
Clerk Harper, Of the District branch,
spoke as follows; johnson is a big at
traction for the Washington club, and
should be paid accordingly. But 1t seems
to me that $500 is enough"
Namesake Disapproves.
Assistant United States Marshal
Henry johnson. in charge Of the mar
shaTs office in the court, said: 81 feel
that the club did just right. have been