New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-20
Star Pitcher Regulates His
Contract Made a Few
Weeks Ago with
Chicago Feds.

Kansas City, Mo-. Dec. 19.--Walter
Johnson will pitch for Washington next
season. The great pitcher who hoped
from the Senators to the Chicago Feds
only a few weeks ago will hop back 70
The Senators again. according TO an
announcement made late to-day by
Clark Griffith, manager of the Wash
ington American League team. After
an all-day talk between the player and
Griffith, Johnson issued the following
statement:
after q conference with Griffith and
legal authorities | am convinced the
option in my last years contract with
the Washington ball club was binding,
and am going to return TO the Wash
ington ball club and fulfil my agree
ment and at the terms offered me by
that club"
johnson is convinced that our OPP
ton is legal. He signed with us "a
your figure" was the message which
Griffith sent 10 Benjamin 5. Minor.
president of the Washington club.
Griffith said that Johnson's new con-
tract with the Senators called for
salary of Sl2,500-an increase of only
$500 over the stipend which the pitcher
received last year. The new contract
day notice of release.
The pitchers contract with the Fed
eral League called for salary Of Slt,-
600 a year. and an initial payment of
$4,000 was made to the player by Joe
Tinker, manager of the Chicago Feds.
Gritiiths said that Johnson would re-
turn this money Immediately to the
Chicago Federal League club.
Johnson and his wife came 10 Kan
sas City following the receipt of q
telegram from Griffith asking the
pitcher 70 meet him 10 talk over the
option attached to Johnson's last sea-
sons contract.
~ wrote to Johnson and told him
the option was binding" said Griffith
tonight "Under il the Washington
club paid johnson $4,000 for the right
to contract for his services after last
season. Johnson wrote to me, saying
If could convince him that the option
was legal he would return to the Wash
ington club. Immediately arranged
for to-day's conference.
ave had legal advice while We went
over the option clause, and at the end
of the day Johnson became convinced
that he was legally under option to my
club. He is a square young fellow.
He wanted to do the right thing, and
so he signed up
Griffith said johnson explained that
when he signed with the Federal
League he believed his option agree
ment was not binding.
"Of course" said Griffith, "as John
son was under option to play with us
he could not legally sign a Federal
League contract"
"Did you agree to pay johnson
bonus for returning to the Washington
club!" Griffith was asked.
Il did not" he replied. "He realized
sitter our conference that the Washing
ton club had legal right to his ser
vices, and when he became convinced
OF this fact he signed my contract"
As soon as Johnson and Griffith fin
ished their conference the pitcher left
the hotel, accompanied by his wife.
Griffith said the pitcher had returned
to his home in Coffeyville, Kan.
Chicago, Dec. l9.-"I don't believe
IT," asserted President James A. Gil
more of the Federal League, when told
that Johnson had signed contract to
play three years with the Washington
American League club.
"JonnsOn signed a contract a coupia