The Washington herald., 1914-11-04
not A CHANGE
TO GET WALTER
Johnson VIII Sign at Griffith $
Terms When the Time
Comes.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
Boston Red Sox Probably VIII Buy
Plank from the Athletics.
News and Views.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
BY WILLIAM PEET.

All this bunk about Walter johnson
issuing hts ultimatum to the Washing
ton club makes fine reading for the stove
league. but fails to impress the average
fan.
johnson win pitch for the Nationals
next season, and he win not dictate his
terms to Manager Grifhth. The true
story OF Walters refusal to sign with
the st. Louis Feds has at last leaked out
When Fielder Jones tackled the famous
pitcher with an ofter of $4,000 a year
and q three years contract he struck an
unexpected snag. johnson demanded
more money and notified Jones that the
ct. Louis Feds would have to hand over
years salary in advance. also putting
the salary for 1916 and 1917 in the bank
to his credit. Jones consulted with the
ST. Louis Feds hackers, who promptly
advised him that they would not post
Johnson's entire salary before he signed
with them johnson, when told Of this
decision, informed Jones that he would
end the negotiations then and there.
as he did not intend to run risks. Mean
while Johnson received an inside tip from
somebody In organized baseball that the
Feds were anxious to make. peace and
that he would be returned to the Wash
ington club II he took the jump. As John
son did not care 10 antagonize the fans
in Washington he decided to remain on
the fence indefinitely. He viii sign with
Clark Grifhth at the proper time.
Manager Griffith last night stated that
he had heard no word from johnson and
did not expect. to hear from him. The
Old Fox added that when the time ar
rived to sign up the great Walter, that
the incident would be closed In q few
minutes Further than that. Griff would
no talk.
This one Is so good that we cannot help
but print It. Here goes: Parental OBJ
lection" covers many pair of cold feet.
SAYS Joe villa. Of the New York Even
ing Sun:
1t is not improbable that the Boston
Red Sox will refuse to waive on Eddie
Plank, the Athletics veteran left-hander,
who will not be retained by Connie Mack
next year. Manager Carrigan. Of the Red
SoN, believes that Plank can help his
team next season and Il is reported
that he has asked President Lannin to
buy the noted southpaw at the waiver
price, S2-5Oo Plank is not at the end of
his career by any means, and CarTigan
thinks that he has at least two more
II the Red Sox make this deal IL is
believed that they will have a splendid
chance to finish on top in the American
League race OF 1915.
The Athletics, by the way, are compeIl-
ed to reduce expenses. The club IL said
to have lost nearly $50 900, instead Of be-
ing $1,000 behind when the worlds Sc
ries began. Mack and the Shibes. who
own the club. figure that they cannot
make money next year unless the salary
Is greatly reduced The games In Phila-
delphia command a smaller tariff than
in other major league cities, hence small
er receipts, and the owners, in view
of. the poor patronage this year, are
forced to protect themselves in addition
to Plank, Bender and Coombs, II Is said
Mack will soon ask waivers on o!dring
and also may sell Eddie Collins to, the
highest bidder. In short. Philadelphia
fans probably have seen their last pen
naAt winner in Ban Johnsons circuit for
some time to come.