The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-11-22

Every imaginable kind Of letter
or memento has reached the little
frame house in Reno. carrying the,
sentiment and good will, not only
Of thousands Of baseball fans, but,
from an army Of friends. who love
Barney without knowing thing
about baseball, from the wilds of
the Canadian Rockies, down into
the heart of Mexico, where the
radio had heralded the triumph of
the Washington veteran.
Messages have come to make the
big fellow happy. If it were not
for his princely motor car, the gift
of Washington fans, few would
recognize the modest hero, as he
strolls the streets of this plain little
Western town. u
Father-inlaw Roberts is mayor Of
Reno and Barney is frequently
seen in Dads office at the old
brick city hall.
Coming down the steps last week,
he was stopped by a friendly
stranger, who questioned him, "I'Ve
seen you before, / know" Barney,
believing the party had seen him
in baseball uniform readily agreed
until the stranger added, II imagine
you're here to take the cure?"
Taking the cure" in Reno means
relief from marriage, and Barney
immediately corrected the error of
the stranger, and, incidentally, told
him who he was.
But, there is one man in Reno
who knows Walter Johnson. and
whose job is to shadow him, every
day and night. while the Oakland
baseball deal hangs in the balance
and while offers come from other
baseball leagues.
This man, armed with a contract,
q fountain pen, and a bank ac-
count hopes to make. the world
series hero change his mind. The
man is Joe Engel, famous baseball
scout. who dug UP such stars as
Bucky Harris and Earl McNeely
for Washington and who is here
with Instructions from Clark Grit
fifth to bring Barney back to the
ball club at the highest salary ever
paid a baseball pitcher.
Walter johnson is not too old to
pitch winning ball in the American
League. His powerful right arm
won many games in 1923 and Bar.
ney is appreciative of his loyal
Eastern friends.
But to us his own words. 1--WE
got four children. and owe them
q future. / can give them a bet
Tow 7
settle down. than If i continue as
a pitcher. travelling around with
q ball club. That's why / want to
buy ball. club in California, when
I'd really love to 20 back and help
the boys win another pennant."
The news OF JOhnsOn's plans
leaked out prematurely. He was
not ready to decker when the
widespread publicity brought Of.
fers from every direction.
A banker in Oakland requested
a conference, and negotiations were
soon under way.
The Wichita franchies in the
western League and the Newark
club in the international League
could be Johnson srif he wished.
The franchise Of Seattle, cham.
: pions of the Pacific coast, could
be bought by Johnson and today
a telegram arrived from a big city |
in the American Association asking
him to negotiate.
The largest bank on the Pacific
coast has voluntarily offered to
finance him in the Oakland deal,
while wealthy fans and friends have
come forward with offers of FIN. |
ancial assistance. u
But baseball clubs are not Wa. |
ter Johnson's only means of future |
Livelihood, for ownership interesf
has been offered him in grocery
Rtsras. pool balls. oil well leases,