Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-20
Griffith Sought Meeting.

Johnson and his wife came to Kan
sas City following the receipt of a
telegram from Manager Griffith asking,
the pitcher to meet him to talk over
the option attached to Johnson's last
seasons contract
II wrote to Johnson and told him the
option was binding" said Manager
Griffith tonight. Under it the Wash
ington club paid Johnson $500 for the
right to contract for his services after
last season. johnson wrote to me, say
ing if l could convince him that the
option was legal he would return to
the Washington club. l Immediately
arranged for today's conference.
I'VE had legal advice while we went
over the option clause, and at the end
Of the day Johnson became convinced
that he was legally under option to
my club. He is a square young fel-
low. He wanted to do the right thing,
and SO he signed up"
Griffith said Johnson explained that
when he signed with the Federal
ment was not binding.
"Of course said Griffith. "as Johnson
was under option to play with US, he
could not legally sign Federal
League contract"
No Bonus for johnson.
bonus for returning to the Washing
ton club?' Manager Griffith was asked.
''I did not" he replied. He realized
after our conference that the Washing
ton club had legal right to his serv-
ices. and when he became convinced
of this fact he signed my contract"
The new johnson contract contains
no "ten-day clause" Manager Griffith
said.
AS soon as Johnson ended his meet
ing with Manager Griffith he left the
hotel. accompanied by his wife. Man
ager Griffith said the pitcher had re-
turned to his home in Coffeyville, Kan.
Johnson came into town from Coffey-
vile this morning with Mrs. johnson.
To newspaper friends he averred that
his visit was for Christmas shopping
purposes only. That Clark Griffith
was here was not then generally
known.
AS to what organized base ball might
intend with reference to himself. John
son said he had no idea whatever
80 far as I know he said, "the
contracts I have signed with the Fed
eral League for next season will stand
and l will be expected to play accord
ing to their provisions, and to be paid
according to them.
Wife Went Shopping Alone.
According to the story told later, Mrs
stayed right in his hotel room, and
soon a knock at the door announced
the arrival of Griffith and his attor-
neys.
well. Walter, are you ready to talk
business" Griffith asked. it was re-
ported.
At noon. according to the story. Mrs.
Johnson telephoned and asked if she
might borrow her husband to take her
to luncheon. Johnson could not leave,
it was said.
1t was late in the day before the
party left the room. No one was will
ing to say just what the arguments
used had been, but johnson issued his
statement that he had signed again
with the Washingtons.
Club Here to Make Legal Fight.
COFFEYvILLE. Kan, December 49,
The Washington club has agreed to as
sumo the responsibility in any legal
fight that may arise as the result OF
the breaking OF Waiter Johnson's Fed
eral League contract. This was the
assertion made by the pitcher upon
his arrival home tonight. when he con-
f1rmed the announcement that he had
signed contract with Washington for
a term of three years in Kansas City
today.
II refused to sign until Griffith as
sured me on that point" he said.
johnson reiterated Grifiith's state
ment that the salary was $i2,500 a
year. but refused to state definitely
bonus. He intimated. however, that
the war chest had been opened.