Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-12
TOO MUCH JOHNSON
FOR MR., ROOSEVELT
Administration Urged Burton
Into Cleveland Fight.
WILL IT STAND BY HIM?
Republicans Are Forced Into an Up
hill Fight.
WILL 1T STAND BY HIM?
GREAT THREE-CENT FARE ISSUE
Interesting Explanation of Municipal
Situation Not Generally Under
stood by Outsiders

Former Representative Theodore
Burton has been led by the admin
istratlon against the judgment of
many of his friends to resign his
seat in Congress and enter the
mayoralty fight of Cleveland
against Tom l.. Johnson, the ia
nous millionaire mayor. 1t is a
tight that hinges on the control of
the railway situation, and means
either swinging the city back into
the republican column or leaving it
in the hands of the democrats for,
a number of years to come. A spe-
cial correspondent of The Star. who
has been investigating the situa-
ton. explains it SO that the outsider
can appreciate the interesting is
sues at stake
Special From a Stan Correspondent.
CLEVELAND, Ohio. September 12-
What is the condition in Cleveland politics
which necessitates or seems to necessitate
the withdrawal of Representative Burton
from Congress. his Endorsement by the ma.
tional administration and the powerful Taft
| influence in order to make the race in a.
purely municipal contest? This is a aues-
tion which has constantly been asked by
politicians everywhere since Mr. Burton an
bounced few days ago that he would rum
for mayor of Cleveland and would give out
a letter from President Roosevelt and Sec
"a md
have propounded 1t to politicians demo.
cratic and republican, to business men and
to Iaymen without number in the past two
days. The answers were varying, but not
conflicting in the main.
Administration influence.
shall try to outline them. Mr.. Burtons
nomination for mayor, which was made by
the unanimous voice of the republicans Of
Cleveland, appears to have been in response
to a demand on the part Of the republicans
for candidate who would have a reason-
able prospect of defeating the democratic
administration which, during three mayor
atty terms, has controlled this city.
That demand was accentuated by the
business interests in this city which are
allied with the street railway company that
owns and operates the greater part of the
transportation facilities
The demand was participated in by other
business and corporation interests that per-
ceive or profess to perceive a menace in
the further continuation of the Johnson
regime. The occasion was deemed to be
opportune by reason of the concern which
President Roosevelt is manifesting in Ohio
affairs and from the fact that the Presi-
dent, Secretary Taft, Secretary James Gar
field and the various Taft family influences
in the state had Joined forces in a general
political propaganda. Mr.. Burton is part
of that combination. 1t was assumed by
these business men in Cleveland who de-
sire to defeat Mr. Johnson that Mr.. Bur-
ton would bring to his support all of the
undoubtedly powerful political influence OF
this combinato
Many of Mr.. Burtons friends in Cleve-
land think that he made a mistake in all
lowing himself to be drafted into this un-
dertaking.
If Roosevelt Interferes.
I do not believe that Mr. Burton would
have consented to go into it unless he
thought that he would have the full and
complete support of the administration. 1t
this city that Mr. Burton will fail to realize
his expectations in regard to the adminis-
tration support. and that before this fight
is over he will find himself standing alone
against the most powerful political organi-
zation, controlled by Tom l.. Johnson,
which exists anywhere in this country out
side of Tammany In New York.
Furthermore. II is said in Cleveland, and
you hear it from republicans well az
democrats. that if the President should
interfere to the extent expected of him 1t
would have the effect of alternating "A great
many republicans. who already resent
full of what the President has thus far
done in Ohio politics.
No better indication can be found of the
desperateness of the local situation from
republican viewpoint than this attempt
to enlist the Roosevelt-Taft IT influence in be-
half of n purely local ticket. Republicans
say that if Mavor Johnson's hold on the
city administration is not shaken AT this
time the town will remain democratic for
years to come. There is no question that
Mr.. Johnson. his policies and his admnis-
tration are regarded with apprehension by
of the CORPORATION interest of this
city. Thev term Mr.. Johnson a radical, and
while he has not proposed changes in any
thing but the street railway properties.
they profess to believe that he is likely
conservatism.
They saw that he has fastened political
deSpOtlSm on the town. MT Johnson Terms
his policies "DrogresSiveness'' and not
'radica lism." The ANALYSIS and differentia-
ton will have to be left to others. | have
too many plain and patent facts to pre-
sent to go into that discussion. In this
city which is republican national is
sues Mr. Johnson has maintained "A demo-
cratic CITY administration In three success
sive elections In that series he has built
I'D a powerful and effective political ma
chine. 1t Is constructed under popular IA
vor and as a result Of appeal to the pub
lie largely upon the question of regulation OF
public utilities by the municipality and tho