The Washington herald., 1914-12-16
minor fires
Opening GUN
Local Club President Notifies
Weeghman to Keep Hands
OFF Walter Johnson.
OTHER SPORT GOSSIP
Lawn Tennis Association Meeting in
Gotham Friday-Mack Knew
Athletics Were Slipping.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Contrary to the general belief there
will be no attempt by the Washington
club to enjoin Walter johnson from
playing with the Federal League next
year by seeking action through the
Federal court of the United States here
in the District of Columbia.
The Federal court is far reaching in
many respects, but in Johnson's case
the question OF territory is involved.
and the injunction will have to be OBJ
tanned either in the State of Kansas or
In Chicago. Ill.
The officials of the Washington base
ball club are undecided just when TO
start legal proceedings, but President
Ben S. Minor stated that he had al
ready notified Charles Weeghman. of
the Chicago Federals, that johnson was
the property of the Washington club
and warned him to keep on the grass.
Not only will the Washington club
protect its property by enjoining
johnson from playing with the Feds.
but will more than likely prosecute
weeghman for tampering with a ball
player under contract" said Mr.. Minor.
during an interview last night.
Walter Johnson's letter, published in
a local newspaper yesterday, did not
help his case a whole lot with the
Washington sporting writer's, who ex-
pressed their opinions anent his recent
jump. and condemned him for taking
this leap.
Walter has always been exceedingly
popular among the baseball writers,
who never failed to say a good word
for him whether or not he had a good
day. and his pOt-shot at the newspa-
per men will not do him any good.
johnson forgets that other folks are
entitled to their opinions and in most
cases the baseball writer's are familiar
with the facts concerning both sides
of any controversy.
The MEETING Of the United States Lawn Tennis
Association in New YORK next Friday promise.
70 be tbe most imuortsnt ever held in this eg1n.
tD. 1t is possible that before the close Of that
gathering the rules applying TO play in the Davis
Cup matches will be changed completely. 1t vas
suggested some time ago by Wtlding and one or
two British players that the matches be held in
the various countries contending in rotation, in
stead Of in the country where the cup happened
TO tennis players will be discussed and decided be-
fore the close Of the session on Saturday eTening
The following is from the zen n Billy weat.
baseball writer on the Philadelphia Telegraph
Until Connie Mack took the action that he did
against three Of his pitchers and sold Eddie Collins
release to the Chicago American League club it
was the opinion Of baseball men that the Athletics
No0lu CONe u4CA next year ana ETOpaDy WIN
the pennant. Nov that never BE proved
Only last week. al banquet given by John
McGraw in New York, George StallinEs made
speech in which he said that he found nearly
every perscn in baseball and every fan did not
believe that his Braves could q eat and win the
National League championship next season. Stall
ings asked that those who pTeSnt Who thought
differently to raise their right hand. Not one
man present had enough confidence in the Braves
20 do 50.
II the threc famous pitchers ard Collins had no;
been Lost TO the Athletics confident that every
one Of those famous baseball men present would
have raised their right hand asked the question:
Can tho Athletics repeat in the American League
IN l9l5i'
Many Arguments have arisSn as To whether or not
fall have gone hack in their playing and also the
Eams is true Of those Who are left The genera
opinion Is that the men EaJe not gone back. That
Is Why there has been much surprise At Mack
letting them 60.
But right here is who're it seems to me the fol
lowers Of the game have not got the iEht cIe
They figure that the players have not gone back and
they have been looking at each man individually
The PLAYERS may not have Gooe back but THE
TEAM did 90 hack.
Mack undoubtedly has been looking at the situa-
tioD frun the standpoint ot the tam A team
the Athletics lost their sip during the worlds series
CT perhaps before that time. Mack saw it. but the
fans did not detect the change. Knowing the inside
workings of his ormbinHtion better than the critic
and the public could possibly do. Connie saw eyi-
Was lacking Harmony had taken WinEs. There were
factions in the team. That Is what is meant by
saying that it THE TEAM and not the players
that back