The Washington herald., 1914-11-03
Johnson Legally
Bound to L ocals
Clause III Walters Contract
Makes Him Legally Bound
to Grifmen for 1915.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP
~ wILLrAm PEEr.

With ali this talk about walter johnson
| topping to the Feds one very important
feature Of the case appears 10 have beer
entirely overlooked by the local Spori
writer's
The majority Of washington fans prob
ably do not know that the Washington
ball club has boni-nde. legitimate claim
ON Johnson's services for the season OF
Is15. A claim that II carried to the courts
viii. according to the best legal advice
restrain the pitcher from exhibiting his
wares In the Federal League should the
big fellow decide to try q change OF
scenery.
One year ago this fall or to be correct
few days after the close of the 1913 sea-
son. Griffith signed up johnson to a con-
tract. the total compensation named in
the instrument being 5000.
II was clearly stipulated In the contract
that In return for 8, 20 OF this sum Cviz
5000. johnson sold an option on his sery-
Ices to the Washington club for the sea-
son OF 1915, agreeing TO sign another con-
tract calling for the same amount Of an
Increase. leaving that question in the
hands Of Clark Grifdth.
The balance OF $50 was paid him for
his work as q pitcher. He finished the
terms Of this contract on October Is and
was paid In full.
Ahc AAic4lCAu Lei que AllOfneyb are con-
hdent that this clause VIII stand an at
tack Of the courts. They claim that any
player who accepted full pay with this
clause In his. contract is legally obligated
to do business first with the club he
played with in 19lL
IL johnson jumps he will doubtless
claim that he had a legal right to sell
his services to the highest bidder. and
that contract for one year expired at
the close Of the season for which he
signed.
The bonus clause. as contained in
Johnson's contract. Is a new angle. II
has never been tested in the courts.
II is admitted that organized baseball
men are anxious to have the legality OF
this new option clause finally determined.
The Washington baseball club will not
hesitate to take legal steps II johnson
jumps. and II has been learned upon
good authority that johnson IL he de-
serts the Nationals viii find himself in
volved In endless legal proceedings. Fur
theruore that the case win be carried
to the United States Supreme Court ri
necessary. Consequently Walter johnson
VIII be Of little use to the Feds next
summer should he decide to cast In his
lot with them.
At present there is no use becoming
alarmed at the prospects Of Waiter John
son pitching for any other club than the
Nationals next year. The big hurIer has
written Manager Gricith that he has only
listened to propositions made by the Fed
eral League agents. and the various news
paper reports to the effect that he had
signed with the so-called outlaws was
without foundation
over in PhiIadelphia an independent
team sports the name OF victors
It's easy enough to say The Victors
what II they lose?
ses
Manager Hickey. of the st. Louis |
Browns, has signed young college player
named Vandercammen. His name will |
never reach a box score IL the scribes |
md linotype operators can prevent H.
BIG BAN RETURNS.
Few loud speeches have BEN spok-n,
Baseball talks been rather slack:
But that silence win Be broken.
Nov that Ban B. Johnson's back
A Boston baseball writer informs US
hat the fans want peace. Why so? What /
10 the fans care as long as they can see I
/ good game and have the price of ad-
mission In their pockets. The guys that
'eally want peace are those who have
heir money invested The fans should
yorry ....