The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-21
BALL MEN PLEASED
OYER JOHNSON CASE
local Magnates Express Great
Satisfaction Over Latest
Move of Pitcher.
TO REOPEN RUPERT DEAL


from Kansas City Saturday, is the source
OF greatest satisfaction to New Yorks
colony Of major league magnates. James
r.. Gaffney, William +. Baker. Charles
H. Ebbets and Frank ]. Farrell all In
terpretcd Clark Grlffiths successful ne
gotiations as the greatest victory OF the
fight between organized and Independent
baseball interests. John Conway Toole.
the lawyer who has advised the Ma
tional League In many OF its legal bat
ties against the outlaws. characterizes the
latest action of Walter Johnson as a COM
plete vindcation of the Cincinnati or
new type of major league contract.
on the other hand Federal League
sentiment as typifed by President Rob-
ert y. Ward of the Brooklyn club. APP
pears one OF resentment. Mr.. Ward stated
Yesterday that II Johnson had really de-
serted back to Washington he and his
colleagues were prepared to force the
fight to the highest courts.
Il cannot believe that johnson has tried
TO repudatc n contract made with us
in the best faith said Mr.. Ward. He
accented $4,000 advance money on term
contract that called for salary or w.
500 a year. Like all players from Or
ganized baseball he gave us every as
surance that the Washington club had
absolutely no further claim upon his SER
vices
johnson will not he allowed to re-
Federal League will fight for him to the
last ditch. And | think we will be able
10 prove to the satisfaction OF any court
of law that the Washington club arbi-
trarily sacrificed any claim 1t might have
had upon his expert services
I'VE have in our possession letters from
the executive heads of the Washington
club which state that Johnsons services
were not commensurate with the $17,-
500 a year the Federal League agreed
10 pay THAI | believe, will knock the
prop from under any possible counter
claim Of Minor and Griffith that Walter
Iohnson's expert services were indispen-
sable to Washington"
Mr.. Ward was asked IL he did not con-
slider the latest twist OF the Johnson case
a direct parallel to that of Catcher Will
lam killifer of the Philles. year ago
Killifor returned advance money he had
accepted from the Federals. disregarded
"a contract he held with the outlaws and
resigned with William +. Bakers club
The Federals endeavored to prevent the
players return. but lost the case. The
court ruled that the Independents did not
come with clean hands,
johnson stands in different light"
said Robert II. Ward. He sought the
Federal League He was bound to the
Washington club only until October 10
last 1t is true that the Washington
club held an option on his services for
1915. but ii Is equally true that Wash
ington refused point blank to exercise
that option by Offering him a remunera-
ton that a rival was wiling to pay. I
am sure we can prove that Washington
wlfully abrogatod the option in question
II so then Johnson cannot refute his con-
tract with us Certainly We shall enter
the fight for him with clean hands,"
John Conway Toole said The virtue
OF the American League victory. | think.
lies chiefly in its moral influence. 1t will
tend toward the sober reflection of play
crs negotiating with the Independents.
From a legal point | cannot see where
the Federal League can present any
strength of claim to this pitchers ser
vices. Johnson admits. after consulting
legal advice. that he owes Washing on
legal and moral obligations for the Sc
500 in cash he received for an option on
his 1913 services. That he and his en-
ployers were able mutually to agree upon
salary for three additional years proves
clearly thai he and these employers had
not had ample opportunity to discuss diff
ferencss of opinion as to remuneration
before tho Federal League iuterfered.
II truly believe under the circumstances
Of Johnson's voluntary return to Wash
ington that that clue will have much
stronger case than Philadelphia did in its
claim for Kilifer. No definite sum was
stipulated as an opt on obligation In the
document s';ned by Kllifc-. A specified
sum of $500 was named Johnsons
1914 contract, giving Washington the
privilege of renewing the contract in 1915
at the same terms provided the two in
tercsted parties could not mutually agree
upon new salary tcrms."
James r. Gaffney and William r.
Baker could see nothing but great legal
triumph In Johnson's return.
Possession Is nine -tenths OF the law y
said Gaffncy. johnson returned OF his
own free will to fulfil contract obligations
Those obligations were not one whit
modified by the Federal League negotia-
tons. He returns the Federal League
money. as did Killifer and the case is
closed"
Frank Farrell who was directly in.
terested in the johnson case because OF
Ray Caldwell hopes that Walters action
may influence his stray pitcher to avoid
legal proceedings
~ would not be at all surprised" said
Mr.. Farrell yesterday, III great many
major league players are Influenced by
Walter Johnsons action to abrogate their
dealings with the Federal League back
crs"
The fact that Frank j. Farrell has no,
been advised rs yet by Ban johnson that
the negotiations of Col RUPERT and
capt Huston for the New York Americans
nave Dctn permanently CLOSED lnClneS the
president Of the New Works to the belief
that Mr. Johnson is still working toward
the end of change in ownership.
\ tclc"ram from indianapolis last nigh,
stated that Nessrs. Rupert and Huston
spcnt the day there with President II. y
II mpstcad OF the Clans. II was intimated
that the pair were going to Chicago for
further talk with Ban johnson.
- believe that within day or two
shall know definitely whether my interest
iu the club is to continue said Mr.. Far.
rcil yesterday afternoon My only reason
for thinking there has been no final split
IN the present NEGOTIATIONS is that | hav,
received no such word Certainly
should have been apprised OF the fac,
ihmcdately."
While MI Farrell had not heard di
recNy rom French Lick he was inclined
10 the opinion that negotiations would h.
rcopeued to-day in Chicago. This i'm
preston was borne out by wire from
capt. Huston to IA friend here. The can
tan iutimatcd that serious complications
had arisen III the negotiations, but tina
another effort would be made to stra tei
them out in "A meeting at Chicago to-day
according to capt. Huston. the question
~ mHnapcr has been satisfactory,
settled, hut President Johnson has no
been able to guarantee the players tn
WOuluhe owners demand of him