The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-19
JOHNSON PASSES
 OUT OF MAJORS
Washington Fans Mourn The Loss Of Star
 TWirler
fRy Associated Press l

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S-The de- posit at Oakland, Cal, by Walter John son of his first payment for the Oak land club of the Pacific Coast Baseball league, is accepted by Washington fan dom as definitely meaning the loss of the star pitcher to Washington, al though his formal release from the local club has not been granted.
 In passing from major league base ball Johnson has brought to pass some thing that has seldom happened in com petitive sports-the retirement of an athlete at the top of his form and at the point of his greatest glory.
 Few Champions have surrendered their crowns until they became sadly askew from the solid wallops of some youngsand pestiferious opponent And nearly all of them have waited until they no longer could meet the issue be- fore they were willing to make their exit from the arena.
 Voluntarily Gets Out
 Walter Johnson came to Washington IS years ago, and today, having finished one of his greatest years, winding up with a worlds series victory that thrill ed the nation, he has taken his mighty arm voluntarily from the ranks of American league players, where it has been a dread for all of those sea- sons. There was no question of his ability to stand the strain for several years, and there was no question of his title to a salary of bank president pro- portions. Rather, Johnson, with long ambition fulfilled-that of triumph in a worlds series for Washington chose the life of a club owner in the minor leagues instead of the difficult role of a hero in the majors.
 The departure of Johnson from Wash ington means the passing of an institu- ton asd a tradition. Just as the White House or the Washington monument are first thought of in the mention of the capital city, so Johnson has been linked up with the baseball fortunes of the town. Nobody thinks of the Washing ton club without thinking of Johnson.
 In all of his years in the American league Johnson worked only with the Washington club and through lean sea sons, and the very few fat ones, he has been the towering mainstay which has more often than not kept Washington from the greatest baseball degradation that of cellar champion. When John son came to Washington, raw youth of twenty, he proceeded to show the triumph. for the time being at least, of matter over mind. No strategy, science, deep thinking or other facilities ordi- narily reputed to be available. to the successful big leaguer bothered him. He had a mighty whip and he turned 1t loose.
 Becomes "Smart Pitcher"
 In later years, discretion gaining hand in his methods, he became what is known as smart pitcher" using a variety of curves, change of pace, and other devices brought into play to save the iron arm.
 But. for all that he retained the lightning speed, or at least the greater part of it which has been his big asset and he demonstrated this cOnclusively in his last game in the worlds series.
 Washington people only today realized that Johnson's passing had robbed the city of an idol and an asset in the base ball world. There had been reports that he would retire to the less strenuous life offered him on the coast. but 1t re- uuired the final consummation of his plans to bring the situation home to them.
 To the small boy the situation has de veloped into a tragedy. Johnson and his family, including two little boys, were popular in their neighborhood and to the youngsters it was a great honor to be a friend of Barney Johnson's kids"