The independent., 1904-01-21
Three Cent Fares


twenty years ago, when the writer
first had the pleasure of making Mayor
Johnson'S acquaintance, he was i'm
pressed with the fact that here was
man of more than ordinary attain
ments, and made the statement at that
time that, given health the history OF
this country would never be written
without prominent place having been
given to Tom Johnson. Continued
years of acquaintance have verified
this prophecy. Today, unmihGful OF
reverses, Indifferent to criticism, rur-
suing the straightforward pei sistent
policy of a man who has definite end
in view, Mayor Johnson is apply ing
himself to tile task that he has laid
down for himself.
Almost any day, il you are in Cleve-
land, you can see Cleveland's chief
executive wlishing up to the city hall
at about IL o'clock. BY this time he
has disposed Of his days coirespon-
dence. He receives NO mail at the
mayors office; all this is delivered at
his home, where he has his workshop
| and secretary. SO before he starts
| out on his days duties, he has already
| disposed of a large correspondence,
and the tremendous amount of work
/ that comes to a man who carries a
| load of responsibilities. Once at the
city hail. every energy is bent toward
| the accomplishment of betterments for
Cieveland's future, which he never al
/ lows to become obsenred. Silently,
persistently, he brings every power
Of his large experience and resource
full originality towards the accom-
plishment of these purposes.
The newest p..ase in these efforts
was the late passage by the city coun-
| ell of two new franchises and an orii-
nance to place fares at cents upon
the existing railway lines within cer-
tain limits. The car lines Of Cleve-
land are arranged somewhat In the
form of a half wheel, the hub being
at the public square, where all lines
converge. A franchise had been
granted company which proposes tc
operate road at three-cent fare, with
other favorable stipulatlons as tc
transfers and ultimate municipal own
ership, on Denison avenue, west side
street running as cross-town line
This was tapped at the center point
by branch representing one of the
spokes of the wheel. and leading tc
the public square. Another spoke
represented by WOODLAND avenue, now
under operation by the old street cal
lines. which franchise expires next
September, was granted in this new
franchise to the three-cent line. This
gives a through line, reaching from
the west side across the river, through
a populous district of the east side
0f course, all this means that the ole
companies must capitulate or fight II
the courts 10 prevent the loss Of som,
OF their lines, Whichever way this
may terminate. the fact remains thaI
the corporations realize that they hav,
TO deal with the most energetic ant
resourceful man that ever undertook
to represent the peoples interest
There Ia NO doubt In the mlf al Of Mr.
Iohnson's friends that, In tbs end, HI
Will be successful.
Already, one injunction has beer
granted on the nenison avenue linz
of the new road. which has tlfd mat
Iers up there Tor The time being. TIL
date OF the expiration OF this iniunc
tinn no sooner begins % approach
than another Injunction has beel
granted. which will delay the huildiai
III this road and IT, operation to
further Nate