The Washington times., 1917-09-17

Between acting as Santa Claus for
soldiers, East and West, and issuing
denials that his club will be trans
ferred and his star players sold to IN
viting customers, Clark Grifith Is a
busy bird these days. The sale Of
Walter Johnson to Cleveland is the
latest Baltimore tale bringing a
hasty, II not emphatic, denial from
the Old Fox. Really, these things
are becoming a habit with him. =
please say for me that this John
son story is merely another Balti-
mora joke" said Manager Griffith
wearily today. Il am thinking seri-
ously Of having some ofncial denials
printed, leaving blanks for names
and dates, and handing them out ev-
cry time those Baltimore friends Of
mine get busy"
According to today's Baltimore
Sun, the sale OF johnson has been
settled-that is. all but making the
official announcement Well, here's
the vital part OF the SUMS story:
walter Johnson, pitcher of the
Washington American League team.
will wear the uniform OF a Cleveland
Indian next summer. unless some lit
tie miscue should crop up in the deal
which practically has been consum-
mated between President James
Dunn. OF the Cleveland club. and the
management Of the Senators.
"It can be said on the best OF au-
thority that the deal has been dis
cussed for some weeks and that II
was finally put through only few
days ago, with the proviso that no
announcement of II was to be made
until the close OF the season. This
agreement was reached to safeguard
the interests OF the Washington club,
for Il was felt that the fans OF that
city would not take kindly to the an
nouncement. just as they have not
taken kindly to the rumor that their
franchise is to be transferred to an
other city.
Fans to Quit at Once.
There are some who believe that
should an announcement OF the sale
OF johnson soon be made the Wash
ingtonians will at once give up all
hope Of retaining the team, for Wash
ington without Johnson would be like
Hamlet" without Hamlet. The fans
OF the Capital would not take kindly to
the rebuilding OF a team, while no
objection would be made on this score
to the city which would secure the
franchise"
There Is some truth in the para
graph Immediately preceding. II John
son is sold to Cleveland the Georgia
avenue park will be a desert wnste
next season. The Washington club,
without Walter Johnson, would be
picked to finish around the bottom of
the ladder, and picking a team for
cellar honors never yet did much to-
ward bringing out the fans.
1t is possible that some difficulties
will arise before Johnson signs his
1918 contract. His wartime contract
ends next month, but the big fellow
is not inclined to stand for much o:
a cut in his present figures, though
he Is not radical in his demands. II
Manager Griffith is allowed free rem
to deal with Johnson, Washington
will have him hurling the opaninS
game next year. Grir understands
Johnson and Johnson understands
Griff.
browns are Here.
Fielder Jones' Brownies are here
tomorrow for a series OF three games,
the last of the season between these
teams. The Griffmen are intent on
finishing as high as possible. They
realize that they are but q step or
two behind the first division ana
that it is mathematically possible
for them TO nose out the Tigers for
fourth place. If only on this account,
Clark Griffith's lads may be sure to
show all they have in the way OF
hard fghting. The Brownies are dis
organized, following Phil Balls al
legged bawIing out OF the players, and