Evening star., 1928-10-14
NO FETE TO MARK
JOHNSON'S RETURN
Would First Earn LaureIs
as Nationals Manager.
Signs This Week.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

N YOT later than Wednesday of
this week Walter Perry john
son will have clear claim to
4 the title of manager of the
Washington base ball club.
On that day or the day before the
man who pitched the Nationals to so
MANY victories during his 81 seasons
of service with them will pen his name
to a contract that will put him at the
helm of the club he left only year
ago. But there's to be no welcome
his laurels in action before being
feted.
Johnson. after being formally notified
he would be granted a release from
contract that still bound him for year
to the Newark International League
Club he managed this year by Paul
Block, owner of the Bears, yesterday in
New York. Immediately telephoned
President Clark Griffith he would visit
Washington the early part Of this week
TO attach himself to the Nationals. Wal
ter assured Griffith he would wire again
Monday to set definitely which Of the
wo days he would be here to sign. And
no banquet, please" he implored.
No Hitch Likely.
OF course. johnson will have a con-
ference with the Washington president
before afixing his signature to con-
tract. for the terms under which the
veteran will manage the Nationals have
yet to be arranged. President Grlfhth
already has announced that Walter Will
be offered a contract for two or three
years but there still remains to be
settled the matter Of salary.
IN ronnrf from NnU Vnrk
Johnson leaves the Bears with the as
surance of their owner that he may
return to them in event no satisfactory
arrangement may be effected here. But
that's only a careful move by man
who always has been careful in every
thing done in base ball way. There's
no likelihood of any difficultv In settling
the matter to the satisfaction Of both
Johnson and Griffith. The transfer
of johnson from the Bears to the Ma
tionals is as good as completed.
Griffith Thanks Block.
President Griffith greatly appreciates
the courtesy the owner of the Newark
club has shown in clearing the way
for JohnSop's transfer to the Nationals
and also the valuable assistance in ar
ranging the transfer given by Edward
B. Mclean. Washington publisher, who
is an intimate friend of the Newark
owner. The Washington president yes
terdav wired the following to Block:
II want to take this opportunity
to thank you and Ed Mclean for
YOUR magnanimous action in making
it possible for Walter Johnson to re-
turn to Washington as manager of
his old team.
Your sportsmanlike action typi-
fies the high standard of base ball
ownership. I feel that you have
helped Walter johnson to attain his
life's ambition and I assure YOU Of
the appreciation of the Washington
fans as we'll as myself.
Trusting / can reciprocate your
sacrifice in this matter, l beg to
remain yours sincerely.
CLARK GRIFFITH"
SHES at Banquet.
Johnson learned from the morning
press that Washington fandom planned
10 fete him upon his return to the
city md hastened to request those
heading the banquet movement to
abandon the plans. While touched by
thc implied honor, Johnson feels that
hc should not be so fetcd until he has
carned his spurs as manager of the
Nationals.
Andrew J. (Cy) Cummings. president
Of the Maryland State Fair. one of
Washington's leading fans who had
offered to sponsor the testimonial to
Johnson, yesterday received this wire
from the managerAto-be;
"On learning throughfthe morning
press that you and the fans of
Washington contemplate a banquet
to celebrate my return, I desire to
express through you my great ap-
probation of the honor, but don't
you think it would be better to wait
with banquet until warranted by
cchievement as manager on the
ball field?
Il am happy enough as it is to
return. Besides, l am a little bit
superstitious regarding banquets.
WALTER JOHNSON
Will Get Warm Welcome.
It was with reluctance that Cum
mings abandoned plans for the well
coming banquet. but he expressed his
readiness to defer to Walters request
i,,Fa lnc fol.t