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

1t develops that the jumping to the
Feds Of Walter johnson was not uneX-
pected by Manager Griffith or President
Minor. They have known for some
time that the big pitcher was sure to
take this step. Only few days ago
Johnson sent in his ultimatum. He de-
manded $4,000 a year, a three-year
contract and a bonus of $4,000 for sign
ing. That proposition, of course, was
turned down by the local club. which,
though it had made an offer last sea-
son of forty-eight-thousand dollar
contract for three years, had with
drawn it and notified Johnson that he
would have to sign for salary similar
to that he received last season in ac-
cordance with the terms of that con-
tract.
the story sent out of st. Louis, in
which Owner Ball of the st. Louis
Fed club made the statement that Wal
ter Johnson had been willing to sign
with Griffith for $4,000 for one season,
$4,000 for two seasons. or $4,000 for
flvc seasons.
johnson never made any such propo-
sition," said Griffith He made his
final demand a few days ago. 1t was
for $4,000 per year for three years
and six-thousand-dollar bonus for
signing. That, of course, we refused
Court proceedings against Johnson
for violation of contract were set under
way yesterday when the local club sent
Johnson a contract in accordance with
the option which his agreement of last
season provided for.
This contract will call for $4,000.
1t develops that while Johnson &C
tually drew $4,000 from the local club.
his contract only called for $4,000. OF
this amount $4,000 was paid for the
privilege of giving the club the option
on his services. Johnson received
$500 for signing the contract and
$500 additional when 1T had expired, SO
that his total compensation was $4,000
The option clause on which the local
club will apply for an Injunction
with the Feds follows. 1t was copied
from Johnson's original contract in
President Minors Office this morning:
Contract dated March 2, 1914.
That I'm confederation of the mutual
obligations herein and hereby assum-
ed, the parties to this contract sever
ally agree as follows:
]. The club agrees to pay the player
for the season Of 1914. beginning ON OF
about the 18th day of April, 1914, and
ending on or about the I4th day Of De-
tOber. 1914. salary Mt the rate Of
1880 for suck season, and an addl-
tiOnal sum at the rate OF $1,000 for
such season, said additional sum be-
ing In confederation of the option here
In reserved to the club In clause ~
hereOfs said additional sum to be paid
whether said option Is exercised or not,
making the total compensation to the
player for the season herein contract
ed for $4,000.
Clause 10 is as follows:
The player will. at the option of the
club. enter into u contract for the sue
ceedinE season upon all the terms and
conditions Of this contract, save as tn
clauses 1 and 10. and the salary to be
paid the player in the event of such
compensation provided for the player
In clause I hereof, unless 1T be In
creased or decreased by mutual agree
ment.
According to reliable advices from
Chicago johnson signed contract
with Tinker calling for $17,500 a year
for two years, and in addition he re-
ceived a bonus of $4,000. which brings
his pay for the two years up to $41, 600
The best offer Johnson was made by
the Washington club was early last
season, when Griffith would have paid
him $4,000 a season for three seasons.
But when johnson refused to accept
this and continued his negotiations
withdrawn. Since then the local club
has made no offer to Johnson for the
reason that it thought it useless since
he had turned down its original prop
osition. Furthermore the club officials
contend that in accordance with the
option clause in Johnson's contract the
club can legally sign him for the same