Evening star., 1914-12-23
BY j. ED GR1LLo.

That Walter Johnson wrote him sev-
eral letters in which he indicated that
he regretted having signed with the
Federal League led Manager Griffith to
arrange the meeting with the pitcher
in Kansas City last Saturday which
resulted in johnson signing a three
year contract with the Washington
club. This information Manager Grif-
fifth diYulged upon his arrival here last
night.
Walter has spent many 4 restleess
night after taking the jump to the
Feds said Griffith. He felt that lie
had made serious mistake and he
set about to set himself right by COM
municating with me. Our meeting in
Kansas City was the result. 1t re-
quired very little time to convince
W alter that the option clause In his
contract was binding, and this done
he signed his contract for three, years
without moments hesitation. The
contract calls for S12,50O and not a
penny more. There are no bonuses or
straig htaway contract.
Deal Pleases Walter.
!
that the matter has been Strengthened
| out. He admitted that he was mis-
cradle after having taken the step
which he took on tho spur Of the mo-
ment when he felt offended at our Of
fer. 1t is needless to say that I signed
Walter for the Washington club and
not to trade him to some other club
| in this league. He will report when
he is asked to, and 7 am satisfied that
| he'will spend the remainder of his base
| ball career az member of the Wash
| iiIgton team.
F.! Anert the reports that Comiskey
wanted to obt:rin Foster and Milan
from Griffith the latter said: ''Colniskey y
or no one else ever mentioned such q
proposition to me. Some of the papers
| started this story, but there is moth
ing to 1t. Comiskey knows, of course,
that I would not part with either OF
these players '~---- ---'----~- --.---'.---
Griffith explained how he came to
i send to Dode Paskert the telegram
trying to make deal for the Phillies'
outffeider. 1t seems that Manager
Moran Of the ~Phillies got word that the
! Federal League was negotiating with
| Paskert, and kI-'wing that the player
i was on the best. terms with Griffith, he
wired Griffith to get into communica-
| ton with Paskert and influence him not
to sign with the Feds. Griffith there
|
4 player went east and signed with the
4 Philadelphia club.
4 No Fear Of Feds.
I President Minor arrived here last
81 night with Griffith. The head Of the
local club left here for Chicago Sunday
night, being summoned by President
\ Johnson, who had most Of the clut
) presidents at a meeting. at which the
!, sale of the New York Yankees was. con-
: sidered. President Minor, in speaking
} Of the threats of the Federal League te
go to court and force Johnson to live
up to his contract with the Feds, said
"All our transactions with Walter were
legal. and there is not a possible chance
for the Federal League to make out q
case against US or him.
Griffith laughed while he told of the
7 squeal Federal League promoters gave
vent to when he signed Johnson They
tried to make it appear that they had beer
7 badly treated by US, though they seen
/ to overlook the fact that they tool
5 players away from US who did not gel
. a chance to change their uniforms Ha
Chase and Schulz of the New York club
, for instance. Walter has returned the
siX-thousand-dollar advance he re.
ceived. and the matter is closed
don't believe the Feds will be foolisf
enough to go into court, for they
haven't u leg to stand on