Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-12
TOM JOHNSON.


The Man Who In ut the Right Hand
Of Henry George.
Tom L. johnson. the man WHO engineered
the nomination OF Henry George for mayor
Of New York city. and who is at present
his right-hand political advisor Is well
remembered in Washington. He served
two terms in the House OF Representatives
beginning with the Fifty-second session.
Tom" johnson. as he was known and
famAliarly termed in Washington. soon
brought himself before the public eye after
his entry into Congress. He was known
to be a millionaire. the owner of several
systems Of street railways In various cities,
n manufacturer Of iron and steel rails upon
an extensive SCALE and with all this to be
an advocate Of free trade and the single
tax.
first man of the House of Representatives
to ride a bicycle upon the public streets
Of Washington.
When Mr. Mills of Texas ran for Speaker
of the House Of Representatives Ton, john
son managed his campaign. Although the
distinguished Texan was defeated for the
speakership by Judge Crisp of Georgia,
the canvass brought Tom johnson to the
front Immediately, although he was only
brard-new member Of the House. The
greatest sensation which Tom Johnson Gre
ated in Congress was during the discussion
of tariff bill which was under con-
sideration in the House. Notwithstanding
the fact that Tom Johnson was a manufac-
turer OF steel rails. he boldly advocated
free trade in steel rails, as well as in
other articles He had a controversy with
Mr.. Dalzen of Pennsylvania, who stood
Tor a high duty upon steel rails. and in
the debate which followed Tom Johns IN
manifested his familiarity with tecnnical
features Of the steel rail business and held
his own to the satisfaction of the free
traders. On the other hand, however. 1t
was charged that his method OF manufac-
aat rofo Cd nd hot
free trade would not hurt him.
During this debate Tom Johnson and five
other members of the House delivered as
speeches six sections of Henry Georges
the book was Incorporated In the Con-
gressional Record. In 1892 more than
million copies of it were circulated.
1t is said that when Tom Johnson read
Henry Georges Progress and Poverty"
he was astounded at its arguments. yet
fearful OF accepting them. He turned his
book over to his lawyer and demanded an
unbiased opinion on it. The lawyer was
converted to Henry Georges theories upon
the single tax, reported favorably on the
hook, and from that time Tom Johnson
has been an established ally to Henry
George.
While in the House Tom johnson at
tempt to secure the exemption of real .s-
tate improvements from taxation in the
District of Columbia. He secured the
passage Of a resolution authorizing the
appointment of a special committee to in
vestigate real estate values and the assess
ment of land and improvements lin the
District of Columbia, and for several weeks
the committee examined property owners
and others. The committee made a report,
but no action was taken upon it by the
House.
Tom Johnson was born in Scott county,
KY. July Is. 1854. and after a common
school education entered the employ of
the Central Passenger railroad of Louis
vile. With marvellous rapidity he rose
sol n md vi, 49, 10,
mastered the minutest details of railroad
management. He invented a rail when
eighteen years old that Is now used all
over the country.
Gradually he amassed wealth. and in 1875
Obtained control of a street railway in In
dlanapolis. Three years later he bought a
small line in Cleveland. but by his extra
ordinary energy and ability in a short time
effected a consolidation of all the roads i'm
that city. his home. He is the street rail-
way king of Cleveland. and one Of its most
popular citizens. his equitable treatment of
his employees being at the bottom of this
reputation.
His street car rail developed rapidly, ard
in 1884 he formed the johnson Company Of
youngstown. Pa. one of the largest steel
plants In Pennsylvania, and outside of the
steel trust. He also controls row an Inn
mense plant near Cleveland.
Tom johnson Is said to employ twenty
thousand men in his various enterprises In
MS manner he Is democratic to the fur
theSt extreme. Though several times n
millionaire he delights to mingle with Ia
poring men and discuss the theories of sim
gle tax, populism and socialism, and the
conditions Affecting the workingmen.