Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-20
Comes to Terms After Pro-
tracted Conference With
Manager Griffith.
HOWARD SHANKS FIRST OF
0UTFIEtD TO GET IN LINE
Predicts That He Will Hit in Bet
ter Form Next Season.
Base Ball Gossip.
By J. ED GR1LLo.

Catcher John Henry, considered by
many good judges as the premier catcher
OF the American League, signed con-
tract with the Nationals this morning.
Henry affixed his signature to two-year
agreement. which, it is understood, calls
for a substantial increase in salary over
what he has drawn from the local club
heretofore. Henry and Manager Griffith
were in conference for several hours. 1t
seems that Henry was not satisfied with
the contract sent him at his home at AM
herst, Mass, and that he at once notified
Griffith that he would come here to con-
fer with him. Henry's principal demand
appeared to be a two-year contract,
which Griffith willingly consented to.
though it required some time to come to
an understanding on the salary PROPOSE
ton.
While Henry was closeted with his
manager a special delivery letter arrived
from Monaco, Pa, containing the signed
contract of Howard Shanks Shanks IS
very enthusiastic about his condition. He
says that his ankle has mended entirely,
and that he is sure to play the best ball
of his career the coming season. 1t is, or
course, customary for. ball players to
Shanks' assertion carries some weight, as
he has never been known to express con-
f1dence in himself. Shanks winds up his
letter to Griffith with: You won't have
any complaint coming about my hitting
next season. / am going to do my snare
of the effective work with the stick.
IF he does" remarked Griffith, 1T s
going to be a lot easier to win games
next season than it has been heretofore. =
w. g., et fxrr,
seasons has been the third man on
Grifith's catching staff. sent in his signed
contract yesterday. Williams is winter
ing at his home in Carthage, ILL.,. and
says that he Is in fine shape and that
his arm is stronger than it has been in
several years. He says that his trip to
Bonesetter Reese seems to have brought
about splendid results, and that his
throwing will be stronger than it has
been.
According to advices from International
League sources, it is as good as settled
that some of the major league cities Will
be invaded by that league before the
coming season is over. This movement
is to have the backing of organized base
ball and Is said to include the cities OF
Brooklyn, Pittsburgh and WASHINGTON.
Authentic information is to the effect
that this will be accomplished In due
time, though so far as the Washington
club is concerned no official communica-
ton on the subject has been received
1t is argued by those behind the move
ment that the International League can
successfully comLat with the Federal IL
by reason of its circuit it can present a
league bordering on major league class
Cities like Baltimore. for instance crave
for major league ball. They want to be
In circuit with cities of their own size
and for this reason it is feared that the
Federal League would gain considerable
and Pittsburgh among its clubs. 1t is
for the purpose of Offsetting this that
the International League wants to add
the cities mentioned to its circuit. 1t
would, OF course. arrange non-conflict-
ing schedule and play in the big league
cities when the regular teams are away
from home.
1t is limited by the Philadelphia critics
that if the Federal League should blow
up the management of the Phil'ies would
turn down any effort on the part of otto
knabe to return to the team. Knabe,
if he signed the sort of contract init
mated at the time he jumped, would I'M
doubtedly try to collect his salary for
the three years. though he remained
idle, but Doom and Baker, manager and
president of the club. have gone on rec
ord on not wanting Knabe to rejoin their
team. DOOM is said to have deal up
his sleeve whereby he will secure a COM
petent man TO I'LL huADe pace, Dut ne
does not appear to be ready to make the
announcement.
The players who have signed and are
said to be negotiating with the ;Federals
are mostly those who have seen their best
days and are on the down grade. For in
stance, Chicago dispatches tell us that
Russell Ford and Ed Sweeney are both
dickering with the. outlaws" Then there
Is Howard Camnitz All have served their
time in fast company and have reached
that stage where the dropping back into
the minors is but question of a short
time.
Arthur Fletcher, the Giants shortstop,
who has been a source of much worry
to the New York club officials, for the
reason that he refused to answer any
communications relative to his signing
for next season, seems to have played a
joke on his employers. For weeks the
club has been unable to get any sort of
word from Fletcher and the r,mor was