The San Francisco call., 1906-09-27
SAYS HEARST is THE BOSS
Albert NJ. Johnson, League Orator
Makes Unexpected Admission.

Mahes Unexpected Admission.
After William H. Langdon and other
candidates for the Independence
League had consumed much eloouence
in telling of the evils of boss rule in
politics, Albert M johnson assembled
the platform last night and practically
acknowledged that Hearst was the boss
of the league. But he added, ''he
is the best boss of them ALL"
The meeting last night was at Rich
mond Hall, Clement street and Fourth
avenue. and was well attended. Most
of the crowd was there because there
was misunderstanding regarding who
were entitled to use the hall, a fra
ternal organization claiming previous
rights to 1t. When the latter failed
to gain possession for themselves. they
took seats and listened to the speeches
of the candidates and others.
Johnson spoke against the present
system of politics in San Francisco,
but in spite of all his forcible rhetoric
it was evident that many present could
not quite understand the advantage of
exchanging present conditions for the
rule of new boss, one whose record
in the past proved him to be a man
of more than ordinarily selfish propen-
stiles.
The strong argument presented by
for public ownership of utilities. He
said they were the paramount issues of
the day. He declared that if 1t had not
been for the effort of The Call, the
Republican convention at Santa Cruz
would never have put plank in its
platform favoring the direct primary
law.
The Call received other compliments
from the orator. He took from his
pocket a clipping from the editorial
page of The Call of September %, and
read it aloud to the audience. 1t is en-
titled, IAN evil, a symptom and cure,
and he used this as a text for much of
his speech.
Some may put this question: he
said, Ito us: Are you not the hiring
of boss? Are you not talking and
working for boss just as much as the
other fellows? / acknowledge that
William R. Hearst is behind this league.
l think man who has the sublime
courage in the face of present condi-
tions to stand back of the Independence
League should receive praise. Tell me
II any other boss (you may call him
boss II you please) can compare in any
way with him?'
This statement from Johnson was
such contrast to the speeches made
by the candidates who had held the
floor before him that it was received
with considerable amusement by the
more conservative members of the au-
dience.
Langdon had directed his energies
in explaining how the independence
League was free from boss rule and
should be supported.
1t is deplorable state of affairs,
ne said, when young man cannot
turn his attention to public life with
out having to become the tool of some
poiltlcal boss. 1t is a deplorable thing
tnat the governing forces Of our city
are directed by a single man. 1t is the
work of the independence League to
chanse this condition. Well spread
the gospel of independence--''
But the sentence was not finished.
Inc electric lights went out at that in
stant. and the hall was left in entire
darkness. By the time the gas was
llsnted the. speakers eloquence had
|. .cooied, and with few words he took
his seat
Other speakers were ]. J. Dwyer,