Evening star., 1914-12-21
P[EASES BALL MEN
Johnson's Latest Move Graft
flying to Gotham Magnates.
MAY INFLUENCE CALDWELL
Held Greatest Victory Of Fight Be-
tween Organized and Inde-
pendent Interests.

NEW YORK. December 2l.--W alter
Johnson.s voluntary return to the
Washington Americans. as announced
from Kansas City SATURDAY., is the
source OF greatest satisfaction to New
1ork's colony of major league ma g
mates. James L. Gaffney, William +.
Baker. Charles II. Ebbets and Frank
J. Farrell all interpreted Clark Crit
fith's successful negotiations as the
greatest victory of the fight between
organized and Independent base ball
interests. John Conway Toole, the
lawyer who has advised the National
League in many OF it's legal battles
against the outlaws. characteriZes the
latest action of Walter Johnson as a
complete vindication of the Cincinnati
or new type Of major league contract.
On the other hand Federal League
sentiment, as typifed by President
Robert B. Ward of the Brooklyn club.
appears one of resentment. Mr.. Ward
stated yesterday that if Johnson had
really deserted back to Washington
he and his colleagues were prepared
to force the fight to the highest courts.
II cannot believe that johnson has
us in the best faith" said Mr.. Ward
''He accepted $4,000 advance money on
term contract that called for Il sal
AIRY of $1,000 q year Like all PLAYERS
u
every assurance that the Washington
club had absolutely no further claim
upon his services.
May Worry Walter.
johnson viii not be allowed to re-
gard lightly his obligations to as The
Federal League Will fight for hinl to
the last ditch. And ] think we will be
able to prove to the satisfaction of
w Hf '.av. =
club arbitrarily sacrificed any claim
it might have lad upon his expert
services.
We have IN our possession letters
from the executive heads of the Wash
lugtop club which state that Johnson.s s
services were not commensurate with
the $1,000 year the Federal League
agreed to pay. That. I believe. will
knock the prop from under any pos
sible counter claim OF Minor and I;rif-
fifth that Walter Johnson'S expert serv-
ices We're Indispensable to Washing
ton"
Mr.. Ward was asked if he did not
consider the latest twist of the John-
son case direct parallel TO that of
Catcher William Killifer of the Phil
lies. A year ago Kiilifer returned adj
vance money he had accepted from the
Federals. disregarded q contract he
Leld. with the outlaws and resigned
with William F. Bakers club The
Federals eudeavored to prevent the
players return. but lost the case The
court ruled that the independents did
not come with clean hands"
In Different Light.
Johnson stands in a different light -
said Robert 3. Ward. HE sought the
Federal League. lie was bound to the
Washington club only until October II
last. II is true that the Washington
u;
for 1915. but il is equally true tina
Washington refused point blank to ey-
ercise that option by Offering him a
remuneration that rival was wiIlinr .
Washington wilifuliy abrogated the or
tion in question. II so, then Johnson
cannot refutc his contract with rs
Certainly We shall enter the fight for
him with clean hands,"
John Conway Toole said: ."rhc virtuf
Of the American League victory.
| think. lies chiefly in it's moral influence
il will tend toward the sober reflection
OF players negotiating with the inde-
pendents. From "A legal point ! cannot
sent any strength of claim to tbi.
| pitchers services. johnson admits
after consulting legal advice. that he
owes Washington legal and moral ohli
cations for the $500 in cash he re-
ceived for an option on his Ia1, s.r,,
ices. That he and his employers wero
bic mutually to agree upon a SALARY
| for three additional years proves c,ear-
| ly that he and those employers had no,
| had ample opportunity to discuss diff
ferenceS of opinion as to remuaera tion
before the Federal League interfered
II truly believe under the circun-
| stances of Johnson's voluntary return
| to Washington that that club will have
| q much stronger case than Philadel-
phia did in it's claim for Killifer. Nc