The Washington herald., 1911-03-17
By WILLIAM PEET.

Special 70 The washington heralo
Atlanta, Ga, March 16.-President
Tom Noyes, OF the Washington base
ball club, left town this afternoon
without the signed contract of Walter
Johnson, for which he stayed over In
Atlanta an extra day. and it looks now
as if the club would have to give in to
Johnson's demands.
Mr. Noyes felt sure that Johnson
would seek him out and have another
talk before he CNoyes) left Atlanta,
but the big twirler made good his
threat, and outside of a few common
place remarks, uttered in the hotel
lobby after practice. did not attempt to
continue the salary argument with the
club president.
Said President Noyes: '1 have era
powered Manager McAleer to act for
me in the matter of signing up John
son for the coming season, and believe
that Jim will be able to bring Walter
around to our way of thinking" AS a
matter of fact, the only reason Presi-
dent NOyes came to Atlanta was to
bring all the hold-outs into line. He
was successful in every case except
that of Johnson, and the actions of the
big twirler in refusing to sign has
caused DOl0 NONGS anu AlC%AISCE ~ ~
a whole lot of worrying, and the end
is not yet, for Johnson is as firm as
adamant in his decision, and If the club
expects to retain his services, it Will
have to back water in the matter OF
salary.
The practice game to-day between
Schaefer's Yannigans and the regulars
was postponed on account of the cold
weather It DcIng deemed inadvisable to
permit the pitchers to work. fearing in
jury to their arms. The players all re-
ported bright and early for practice, and
Manager MCAleer for the first time tried
out his signals. The boys made numer-
Gus blUnd2rs and the work as whole
was iar from 50 tsfactory.
Thermometer Takes n Drop.
TIE thermometer this morning was the
lowest it has teen since the boys strucl;
Atlanta, but the sun came out strong,
and, bundled up in heavy underclOthing
and sweaters. the recruits and regulars
were kept busy for three hours. Only
the lightest kind Of work was assigned
the pitchers.
A queer accident. which nearly put
Scout Mike Kahoe out of business, hap
pened early in the practice. Milan was
throwing the ball to one Of the catchers,
feet from kahoe, when the ball
slipped from Milan's fingers and
struck Kahoe in the neck. The latter
had half turned 10 speak to McAleer, and
the force of the ball swept the veteran
completely of his feet The players
rushed to aid him, fearing he had been
seriously injured. but he quickly revived
and in a few minutes felt none the worse
for the TliSh1O.
Stories published in one OF the Wash
ingtOn papers to the effect that none of
the new recruits, except Corbin and
Bunting. would likely make good have
just recently hit camp, and in Conse-
quence the work Of the youngsters has
fallen off perCeptibly. They are sensitive in
the extreme and cannot understand the
criticism. This is particularly unfortunate,
as it is easily seen that their hearts are
not in their work, and consequently they
are not able to do themselves justice
That the youngsters have not shown the
proper fighting spirit is easily explained
They were told to receive orders from
Manager McAleer, and have never taken
the initiative without instructions from
him. He has been so busy superintend
the practice or umpiring that he has oft
en- forgotten to send one or more of the
new recruits on the coaching lines, and
they seem to be afraid to do anything
until McAleer orders.
First Baseman John Somerlott is ex-
pCCted almost any day now. He wired
MCAleer that on account of eye trouble
he had not dared report, but his doctor
said few days more rest would fix
Things all right.
First Base Situation Unsettled
The first base situation is not by any
means settled. Henry and LeliveIt are
doing the honors at present. and both
have their faults. Henry cannot hit, and
LeliVelt is still weak on low hit or thrown
balls When SOmerlott reports and shows
what he can do. the question of select
ing first sacker will be in order. Until
then Manager McAleer is up a tree.
Big Chief Charley Swain. recruit ont
fielder. could hardly pull himself out of
bed this morning. He developed a severe
cold that settled between the shoulders
and extended up to his neck. He donned
a uniform, but only stayed out a short
while.
Atlanta fans are very much excited
pver the game between the Atlanta club
and the Nationals next Saturday Man
ager Jim has announced that Walter
Johnson, Dolly Gray, and Dixie Walker
will each pitch three innings and be-
cause johnson is down to twirl the town
is talking. II the weather is pleasant
big crowd is expected