The Washington times., 1911-04-09

Though the Nationals are at nome
once again minus the services CT
Walter johnson. the premier HEAVIER
OF the American League, who Is suik-
! Ing In Kansas over a matter of salary.
those on the inside of affairs believe
he Will soon join the team, and be
ieady to do yeoman service on the
mound.
johnson may not report this week,
or next. but that he will report is the
opinion of Manager Jimmy McAleer,
and particularly of little Zeb Milan,
who was closest of all to the big
pitcher.
Johnson was due to arrive at his
Coffeyville home last night shortly
before midnight Unless he wires the
club here nothing will be heard from
him. either. as no effort will be made
to have him return. But johnson is
expected to wire his acceptance of
President Noyes' terms or take a
fying trip here himself to settle mat
ters.
When Walter Johnson was ordered
home from Atlanta he was greatly
surprised to learn that home" did not
mean Washington.
"Why don't you let me go to Wash
ington?" he asked McAleer. up
there 1 can see Mr.. Noyes and per-
haps get what / want"
Walter. why don't you take my
word for 1t when I tell you that 1t is
an impossibility for you to think of
getting that money you ask?" asked
McAleer. You're not going to Wash
ington- You're going home to that
Kansas farm Of yours"
Milan Sorry to Lose Him.
OF course. Milan was sorry to have
his roommate leave the camp and
showed II in his actions. He had a
long talk with Johnson about the
trouble and wound up by saying:
We'll. Walter. II you're really going
home to Kansas, whatll / do about
taking a large room up at Washing
ton? 1 s'pose a small room will do
for me all right"
well. Zeb." replied Johnson. you
get that large room up there, same
as We had last year. I'll pay for my
share-after 1 come back"
Milan hasn't told this story to
everybody, but 1t is a straw as to the
state of mind of johnson.
Johnson himself admitted that his
financial expenditures on his farm
last season were such that IL was
almost a necessity that he play ball
at least one more season. He said
that Noyes and McAleer were aware
Of this and that eventually he would
be compelled to sign at the clubs
terms.
johnson is pretty much of a big boy,
when all Is said and done, and he was
planning on making a grandstand -four
ish short time before the opening of
the season here. He thought that, even
though unable to obtain what he wished
in the matter of salary. he would fright
en- the club bit up to the last moment.
The sudden uitimatuIn Of Manager Nc
Aleer broke up his little opera bouffe,
and he is now left to his own resources.
I haven't any idea how long Walter
will stay out" said Manager McAleer,
last night, on the train from Atlanta.
Hes determined lad, and may stay
out long ttme-just how long 1 can't
say. However, think he'll come back
and sign at the money offered, and pitch
&C cd ball again, too.
when he gets home he'll be the hero
OF the village for a week or SO, and
those old rubes out there will say,
There's one big fool, to lose $500 in
he may see the point. too. and decide
to join the club.
Won't Stop the Team.
johnson Is a great pitcher. and I am
not undertaking his ability in the slight
est, but his absence doesn't mean that
we can't open the season next Wednes-
day or that we can't go right on and
play out the schedule. The Nationals
may stagger a little at the start, but
we're in this fight to the finish
So there's the situation now. johnson
is at home asking his $3.50. President
Noyes is here. offering his $500. Be-
tween Coffeyville and Washington are
many miles. Either johnson Will tire
of inactivity and agree to the terms
offered or he may come to Washinston
for still further palaver before affixing
his name to the contract. But whatever
the move, 1t will come from johnson,
not from the club.
IT have the full support Of the club
says Manager McAleer, "and / know