Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-15
JOHNSON ACCEPTS
2YEAR CONTRACT
Veteran, "GIad to Be Home, "
Signs as Mats Manager
: Before Friends.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

Walter Perry johnson is home again.
After a 13-day lapse since Stanley
Harris was relieved of the management
of the Washington Base Ball Club. the
Nationals have new pilot.
Walter, for 81 seasons the idol not
only of the fans of the Capital. but
of the followers of the diamond game
throughout the country, this morning
affixed his name to a contract as man
ager of the local club. After a brief
conference with President Clark Grit
fifth of the Nationals, the veteran whose
mighty arm pitched the Nationals to
many victories in the American League
agreed to accept the three year contract
proffered by the Washington executive.
Its great to be back home" said
Walter after the Formally of sign
ing was completed. Il was happy, OF
course. with the Newark team that
managed this year, but to me Washing
ton is the one place in this COUNTRY
After my long residence in this city-lt
began, you remember, in 1907-this is
really home"
Friends at Ceremony.
Quite a ceremonial affair was this
contract signing this morning. Few
we're present at the ceremony, but most
of them were those who have been lntl-
mately acquainted with the wonder OF
.ssc sall since he first came to WASH
ingtor a raw-boned youngster OF 19
years from the obscure club of Weiser,
Idaho, in July of 1907. Other than Pres
ident Griffith and Edward 3. Eynon, IT,,
secretary of the club, those who saw the
signing were Joe Engel, once pitcher
with the Nationals and now their scout,
Mike Martin, trainer OF the CLUB Tor 10
years and connected with the game
many years before coming to Washing
ton; Joe Judge. first baseman. who
played with Walter through many sea-
sons: AL Schacht, coach of the Ma
tionals, and small group of local base
ball writer's.
Walter at present is making his home
at hotel here, for he leased his estate
at Alta Vista, Md, just few miles
beyond the District, before he went to
Newark last Spring to assume the man
agement of the Bears.
Washington will see little of Johnson,
however, before the next base ball
season begins, for shortly he will go to
Daytona, Fla, with his family, where
he will await the training period for
the Nationals that is to start at Tampa
in the latter part of February. probably
about a week later than has been GUS
tomary. Next Spring. though. Walter
again will be resident of Montgomery
County.
While Walter signed a contract call
! ing only for services as manager of the
| Nationals, he may break into few
| games in the 1929 campaign. MY arm
| is as strong as ever" he declared, and
1 believe I will be able to use it in
emergencies Naturally / am hoping
there will be no emergencies. / feel
that the material will have in charge
will be good enough to carry on without
my physical aid"
| Although this year was Walters first
as a manager, he acquired much school,
| ing in the matter of conducting a ball
club.
No Rules, No Leniency.
"ThereH be no rigid training rules
for the club" he announced after as
Stunning the management, but there1l
be no leniency. The boys must show a
deal of spirit and hustle all the time.
will insist that every man give his
utmost to the club in every game he is
in. Sinking will not be tolerated
II also intend to establish a base
ball school. The school will be tor
veterans as well as youngsters coming
up to the club. The Nationals will have
morning drills and have them fire.
quently. 1 know of no better way to
help a ball club than the holding OF
morning drills. They do not have to
be so strenuous that they tire the men
for the game to be played in the after
noon: but they certainly develop team
play"