Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-11-09
WHAT TOM J. Il sS0s
STANDS FOR
lhin-wHAT roM JOHNSON


ller's Weekly last week, and Is of
peculiar interest today following re-
election OF Thomas l.. Johnson, Dern
ocrat. for mayor over Theodore Bur
ton. Republican,:
]. ADMINISTRATIONS.
Mr. Johnson Is respon-ible TO no
boss except the one who sits IN the
1nyor's chair. At the sacrifice of
hiT personal fortune he has given
his time for the public good. He has
'anarated party from municipal poll
tics. His only criterion OF service
N~s been efficiency. Republicans have
heen nominated on his ticket anil
Republicans hold some OF the most
important positions I'm his cabinet
Corruption has been eliminated
from every department. In six yeore
M charge of graft has been proved
against his administration. When
necessary he has had the courage to
he unpopular with his subordinates
We stands by the chief of police in
enforcing discipline. Women Of the
underworld are not taxed. but kent
IN order. Saloons may keep their
side door open on Sunday so long
rs they are orderly. No ward man
visits them.
The streets are clean and we'll
naved tho parks are well kept. The
city now does WORK more economical
'y than IL was formerly done by pri-
vate contract. Successful municipal
garbage and municipal lighting
plants have been established. Pub
lie baths. with free tubs In which
the women of the neighborhood may
10 their washing, have been built
The old workhouse system is be-
ing abolished. A farm colony
where mis- demeanants are reformed
has taken its place. Where former.
ly the people had no mans OF recre-
alton they now have n great recrea.
skating ponds. and Keep OFF the
grass" signs no longer restrict theiI
enjoyment OF the parks. A civic
center has been planned and carried
through in opposition to selfish in
terests.
The death rate OF the city has
fallen in six years from 1902 to
1854 a thousand. Rigid meat and
milk inspection laws have been es-
tablished; a waterworks plant has
been completed; houses throughout
the city have been metred, decreas-
ing the consumption and increasing
the income. This department, for
merly the scandal OF party politics
has been placed In charge OF on ex-
pert undisturbcd in authority. Mr..
Johnson has demonstrated that an
American city may be we'll governed
He has made Cleveland a model for
study by municipal authorities
Throughout the country.
II. TRACTION.
Mr.. Johnson found the city with a
street railway monopoly. controlling
all the franchises within the city
limits, and all the connection fran
chises of the suburbs. Its rate was
eleven tickets for so cents. The ex-
perience OF his business career as a
traction man he has brought to the
service of the city. Thanks to him
that monopoly is now willing to
grant seven tickets for a quarter.
He held that 3-cent fares would
pay 6 per cent. dividend on un-
watered stock and has proved his
point. The Forest City Railway
company. getting a revocable fran
ohise over streets on which the
Cleveland Electric had not cared to
lay tracks. has been hampered by
fifty-four injunctions, and every OBJ
etacle that corporation or legal mind
could devise. Through it's powerful
stock interest, the Cleveland Elec-
tic has united all the banking in
'erests against the new enterprise. a
paid press has fought him at every
move. Yet the Forest City is paying
G per cent. on its capital stock.
Tho mayor is against any but
revocable franchises; he Will make
no compromise with the Cleveland
Electric except on the basis of a
holding and operating company
which will turn the street railways
over to the city as soon as the state
law will permit of municipal owner
ship. He has been fair to the com
pany: he has been liberal with 1t II
the matter OF paving and his con
struction Of the city regulations
though, in order to threaten tb'
people with the consequences of theii
opposition, It tore up fits tracks OF
two OF the main streets.
l. man whose life has beer
spent in national affairs as 1T as on
who has studied II for six years, L
solve this problem in the interest o
tho peoples The mayors politics
the people? The mayors policies
approach fruition. The expirini
franchises Of the Cleveland Elec