The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-21
Warfare Starts AfreSh
When Walter Hops Back

willing to meet the demands of his star
pitcher in the way Of an appreciate
increase in salary, but was overruled
by President Minor, Of the Washington
club.
johnson had previously stated that
he would accept the best offer for his
services, no matter who made It He
therefore felt himself free to sign with
us after he had given his old club op-
portunity to retain his services. This
question as to how far an option is
binding undoubtedly will be taken to
the courts by our organization.
In commenting on the claim made by
Griffith and others that the reason
johnson repudiated his contract with
tne chicago Feds was because his in
telhgence finally told him he had done q
legal wrong in deserving Washington.
Mr.. Ward said ne failed TO see how this
intellisence" had led johnson 70
change his mind about playing with the
The Washington club offered John
son Sl2,JO year. We offered him
$500 and a $500 bonus. Now, intelII-
Sence on the pitchers part would GER
tainly direct him to accept the best
offer. This he did. Now, why does he
suddenly decide to play ball for the
america. american League for sum 5000 less
than We were ready to pay him? The
"hoIe thing is frame-up."
John Conway Toole, the New York
attorney, whose advice is generally
sought whenever the National League
Is in trouble, remarks:
Tho virtue of the American I,esrr,.
victory, I think, lies chiefly in it's moral
influence. It will tend toward the sobe,.
rejection Of players negotiating with the
lnnRTNnndanse
cannot see where the Federal League
can present any strength of claim TO
thls pitchers services. Johnson ad-
inits, after consulting legal adj
hGce' mat he owes Washington legal and
moral obligations for the S, 500 in cash
ne received for an option on his 1915
services. That he and his emnIoyers
were able mutually to agree upon q
salary for three additional years nroves
clearly that he and those EMPLOYERS had
not had ample opportunity to discuss
olherences of opinion as to renunera-
ton before the Federal League inter
fered.
Il truly believe under the circun-
stances Of Johnson's voluntary return
10 washington that that club will have
much stronger case than Philadelnoia
dld IN Its claim for Killifer. No definite
sum was stipulated as an option obliga~
ilon IN the document signed by Killifer
named
Johnsons 1914 contract, giving Wash
lngton the privilege of renewin, the
contract IN 1915 at the same terms nro-
Nlued the TWO interested parties Could
not mutually agree upon new salary
terms"
James Z. Ganney. og-nar -. .,o
worlds champion Boston Braves Sos
a great legal triumph for the forces Of
organized baseball.
Possession is uine-tcnths Of The Law. "
says Gaffney. johnson returned of his
own free VIII to fulfill contract obliga-
tons Those obligations were not ono
whit modified by the Federal League
negotiations. He returns the Federal
league money; as did Killifcr. and the
case Is closed"
Frank Farrell. who was directly in
tcEested in the Johnson case because of
Ray Caldwell. hopes that Walters ac-
ton may influence his stray pitcher 70
avoid legal proceedings.
81 would not be at all surpriced." said
MT. Farrell. IF great many major
league players are influenced by Walter
Johnsons action TO abrogatc their deal
ings with the Federal League hackers -
Jim Gilmore says that Walter johnson
was free to sign a contract with the
that now the Federal League will fight
FOR him in the courts. In q way. the
situation Of a few days ago has been
reversed. Then. the Grinmen were
waiting for him to play his first game
as Chifed before seeking an injunc-
lion. Now the Feds are waiting for him
TO open the American League campaign
in the box. and then they will seek the
i"junction.
The war Is still on. Indeed. the o. r
sac has captured the Feds trenches in
The vicinity Of Coffeyvillc Kan