Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-26
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

"HATTANOOGA, Tenn,
March 26.-If Goose Cos
lin wants to play ball with
the Washington club, it is
I'D to him. The club feels it has
made every effort to get the balk-
ing outfielder to talk business, and
that the next move must be made
by him. President Clark Griffith
believes the Washington club has
been absolutely fair in its previous
dealings with the Goose, and de-
clareS it has no intention of deal
ing harShly with the player in the
present salary controversy. But
Griffith holds that now 1t is time
for Goslin to make his bid or pass.
Breaking the silence concerning the
controversy between club and player he
had maintained since issuing formal
statement at Biloxi Miss, on March 3,
Grifith this morning, in conference
with the Washington newspaper men
accompanying the Nationals. issued an
other formal statement with the eX-
pectation it will correct erroneous i'm
pressions that seem to have resulted
from obviously biased reports and gos-
sip in circulation in washington.
In his statement the Washington pres
ident brands as untrue the report that
the Goose failed to receive a bonus the
player had earned He also denies that
q question of economy enters into the
salary controversy. He calls attention
to the great effort the club has made
to discuss terms with the Goose and
declares the club is ready to pay the
player as well as last year provided the
player earns such an amount.
Salary Not Sole Issue.
Grifith in the statement also admits
for the first time that evidently some
thing other than. objection to the salary
offered is causing Goslin to spurn the
club. The only letter received by Grit
nth in response to the many letters
sent the player, the president declares
indicated another than the salary issue
prevents GoSlin falling into line.
The club president does not say this
other issue concerns Goslin's reported
objection to playing with the Nationals
while they are managed by Walter
Johnson report GoSlin has denied
but In this second statement Griffith
does not say as he did In his statement
Of March 8, 81 do not believe Goslin
ever made such q remark"
Here's what the washington club
president handed the newspaper men
this morning:
I'm order to clarity some misleading
reports that have been in circulation
regarding the Goose" Goslin salary con-
troversy, wish to make the following
statement:
First, Goose" Gosiin, never earned
any bonus with the Washington club
that he did not get. 1t Is hard for me
to believe that Goslin made such a
statement as reported.
Salary Never Exceeded $4,000.
Second, Goslins salary has never ex-
ceeded the sum of sixteen thousand dol
lars ($16,000), although on occasion
It has been printed as more.
"In regard to salary for this season,
the Washington club has only asked
Goslin for service and that he earn
rules and regulations Of his contract
and his club. In fact, the Washington
club has left 1t open to Goslin to earn
the same amount that he received last
year in the event he plays ball up to
the standard which entitled him to his
big salary.
There is no question of economy in
this matter. All we want Is value re-
ceived for our money and we would
rather pay Goslin $4,000 than $40, 900,
but he has got to show that he can
earn it before he gets 1t.
ITO show that the washington club
has made every effort to arrange terms
with Goslin, wish to direct attention
to the fact that before sending Goslin
any contract at all, wrote him letter
telling him that had certain ideas in
my mind regarding his contract for
this season and would like to talk mat
tiers over personally with him and asked
him to come to washington at my ex-
pense to do so. After waiting two or
three weeks without hearing from him,
I wrote him again, telling him was
sorry he could not see his way clear
to come to Washington to see me and
that it would now be necessary for me
to outline to him In this letter the
ideas had in mind regarding his con-
tract which did and inclosed him u
contract in accordance with same.