Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

Griffith did not have the slightest trou-
BILE getting Milan to sign, and when he
left here for his home in the fall Milan
expressed himself as confident that John
son would be with the team next season.
He did not believe that Walter had any
idea Of jumping and it will be a great
surprise to him when he learns that his
friend has taken this step.
johnson is sure to have so arranged
his contract with the Feds that no matter
what happens he will draw his salary.
for he realizes that there is a good
chance of the courts entoining him from
playing with any club but Washington.
That option clause, which Is reproduced
in another column Of this issue. is
strong measure, and 1t is the concensus
of legal opinion that it will hold in any
court Walter is, therefore, apt to have
a, very profitable but idle summer, for
the local club proposes to go the limit
to have him stopped from playing with
the Feds.
Johnsons action in jumping his
agreement with the local club came as
a shock to his many friends and ad-
mirers here. Johnson's modesty and
vorite with the patrons of the game
here. But it was apparent from the
outset of his career that he was in
clined to have mania for acquiring
money.
Every year when the season was over
he pitched a lot Of exhibition games
against any sort of teams that would
pay him, and he kept in action all fall
as long as he could get an engage
ment.
No pitcher in the history of base ball
ever got as much salary as Johnson
| did here. He was the highest priced
pitcher on the local team from the
outset Of his career. During the last
four years he has drawn $4,000 from
the local club. pitching for three years
for $4,000, and last season he received
1000.
! In addition to this he received many
bonuses and gifts from the club and
other sources, and it Is a pretty safe
estimate that Johnson, figuring on his
| exhibition games and other sources OF
revenue. has been clearing about
| While it is not to be denied that the
Federal League will get lot Of ad-
vertising out OF the signing OF johnson,
productive experience. 1t is decidedly
Questionable If johnson will be allowed
| to play with the Feds. and II he does
it does not follow that he will be the
sensational performer he was before last
season. Furthermore, based on the at
tendance figures Of last season, there is
little or no chance for the Feds to
prosper when paying salaries of such
There Is not club in organized base
ball which can afford to pay the salary
johnson demanded from the Washington
club. He wanted more than any player
ever received johnson or no other ball
player could earn 100000 in three years,
and that Is what he wanted. His ulti-
matum being $4,000 per year for three
years with a $4,000 bonus II johnson
pitched forty-odd games a season he
could not earn that much money for his
club.
The Federals will find that some OF
the players who are in every game dur
ing a season will resent these fortunes
being paid to a pitcher who Is on the
mound Just about forty times during 9
season. The players will figure thai
they accomplish moro in 1874 games
than any pitcher can in 40, and they
| should be paid accordingly. These
high-salaried stars can create a lot Of
dissension in a ball team.
johnson Is a fallen idol, in loca,
. base ball circles at least. The fans dc
. not sympathize with the position hi
took against the club and the city OF
Washington, where he was splendidly
treated during his entire career here
The local club has lost mono of it.
prestige by reason Of its stand agains
giving johnson the club for his serv'
ices. The pitchers demands were
| exorbitant and unreasonable.
That Johnson's absence from tho
pitchiHh staff. will make considerable