The Washington times., 1914-12-04
continued from First Page

IN the Federal courts for the services
OF Walter johnson, il is doubtful if the
ans of the Capital viii ever care to
nave him identified with the Griffmen
7gain. Even though the courts enjoinI
the greatest twirler of them all from
playing with the Federal League. ne Is
lone" in Washington.
Walter Johnson has always occupied
a peculiar position in the Capital He
has never been considered merely q
professional athlete: The fans remem-
Ger his awkward appearance when he
FIRST reported to the Nationals. back IN
those unfortunate days of Joe Can
tillon's regime. They saw him develop
from a green country boy into smooth,
polished piece of baseball machinery
He was their hero. Never did they
blame him for his defeats. Always did
they cheer his victories.
Walter johnson has been a sort OF
net for the fans Of the Capital He
r now fallen idol.
Under the contract signed by John
son in the District Of Columbia IN the
pring of 1914, announces Manager
lark Griffith. he received SS,5O Tor I
his seasons work and S2,5e1 as an op-
ion upon his services for 1918 at the
came terms. This signing was under
he jurisdiction of the Federal courts. |
You may take it from me that the
Washington club will fight this case to
he highest courts in the land. The hrst
league uniform, that day will see him
enjoined from playing with the invaders. |
Furthermore. he viii be so tied up
that it is unlikely that he Wiz DO much !
niaving next summer. Perhaps the Gil |
more clan will have the fun of paying |
an idle player the highest salary ever
received by a ball player. That would /
be joke, wouldn't it
Ban johnson, president of the Amer
can League, announces from MS office
ia Chicago that johnson was a dead
one in Washington the moment he al
lowed it to be known that he would
20 where the greatest money was 20 ]
be found The car of baseball goes
even farther.
Johnson by the Washington CLUB, says |
Ban. He was offered $4,000 for three !
ears, or Sl6,0O0 year by Clark Crit !
kfith This was more than ne was 1
Lrth. but we wanted to show that
Ire was nothing niggardly with US |
ZEN had Washington signed him the I
chances were strong that he would |
nave been traded. and there was al
ready a deal on. I am glad the Fed |
erals signed him They viii have fine |
chance 10 make good on the deal, basing |
their income on what they drew last |
year.
'Supposing. for instance. that the st. |
louis Feds had signed him for $4,000 a |
year. Figuring on what they took In 1
asst year they wouldn't have enough /
left for cigar money after they got
rhrou-h paying him The fans OF St
paid a little over So coo at the gate, and |
then the Feds talk about $4,000 sal |
aries. ] hope they continue 10 sign
these $1,000 players. They will be 4!
through the quicker"
johnson has signed q two-year con-
tract TO pitch for the Chicago Federal
League club Charlie Weeghman, -presi-
dent of the Chifeds, announces that
JohnsOn's salary will be $4,000 year.
According 20 the Federal Leaguers,
the ST Louis club engineered the deal
that brought the signature OF Johnson.
late in october Fielder Jones offered
Johnson 60,c0O fcI three years. Tho
pitcher held of. hoping 10 get that much
from the Washington club and remain
90 good odOr in baseball circles. Crit
18th failed TO swallow the bait When
rhe Feds met on November IS II was
announced that they were through
nth Johnson" Manager Griffith then
'0ok back his generous offer. deciding
o." open the argument IN the spring.
Meanwhile. the Feds succeeded IN
signing Eddie Plank. the veteran south
fw the MackTen. In return Tor
blanks services the 81. Louis club
r-1rned over its claim on Johnson to the
f'hicago club. Joe Tinker was sent TO
cneyyiile and yesterday he signed the
1.aerless finger to 3 twO-year contract
- S5roe5 a wear
Walter J0hnson's chickering's with the
federal League began early last sea
an When the GriGmen were playing
% New \ ork, agents Of the new organi-
. ton took him 10 their headquarters
I'D were said 10 nave offered him 2
buIous sum 70 ioin the Brooklyn club
z the invaders Al that tine the great
llcher was working under a One-ycar
ontrsct with the Washington club. and
.Tned down the proposition.
Stories continued to appear 10 the
feet that Johnson would 20 TO the
'sderal League for the coming season,
and al last the great pitcher an
bounced that while he was still q
ncmber Of tho GriHmen. and would
airy out his obl-g atoms TO tie FOIL he
n not know whore nc would play in
II the Washington club will pay me
10y price. an be 7jtn Washington" q,
- vas quoted as saying. but II the
r"ds com" through with more than
nm viii give me. then may go to the
Ids 4 player is good for only so :
fai. years. and I've got TO consider
myself first"
This announcement did not take well
N the fans Of the Capital. ana y hea
he club returned nome FOR 4 long s-a-
Manager Griffith succeeded IT, getting
.bIHlsoh 10 tHdilse inns statement to
a0Ine extent, hoping 10 head IF adverse
1tcism. II did, too 10 some extent.
trough there Were constant rum5liugs
rnong IN, fans
As thr season Waued and johns IN s
~ycrk on IN" mound failed TO shine, more
stories appeared, particularly from Bos-
IN and Chicago. that me would be with
nc Feds in 1915 Coupling the stars poor
performances and these rumors, his
popularity began 10 fade. When lie re-
r2ined his good form in the boy and
winning regularly al the local
BAH park. the fans stayed away. even
hen he was announced to pitch. In
ne old days, when Washington had no
GOOD pitcher but johnson and collec-
ZION of spawned veterans to support |
nin1, he could always attract A large
tirong to the ball park. During the |
sst long home stay of the GrIffnnn. he
vas hardly better drawing card than
Joe Engel who had Yet 10 make good
on the mound.
Manager Griffith saw the way the
ind blew and tried his best 10 stave
- criticism 81 kis great twLler He