Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-14
COMING oAMpA1aN 1ssuEs.

The Cleveland Press. an independ-
ent newspaper that usually closely adj
heres to the facts in discussing politi-
zeal affairs. contains a statement that
is mighty important II true, freighted
as 1t is with possibilities and prospects
that will be open to the voters in the
next national campaign, now but few
months removed. The Press states
that Colonel Bryan dropped into
Cleveland the other day. was .closeted
for several hours with Tom Johnson
and then left the city without seeing
any other democratic or lyceum lead
ers. With direct Dositiveness. the
Press states that ''Mr.. Bryan has
picked Tom Johnson as the business
manager of his campaign for the dem
ocratic nomination for the presidency
In 1908 and for the chairman Of the
committee that will have charge of the
contest for election"
The selection of Tom Johnson as
Colonel Bryau's manager means,
among other things. that there is no
more need Of worry about the issue
that will be presented to the people
in the next national political fight
Johnson will FIX that. Forceful, stub
born and resourCeful. he dominates
everything with which he is associated.
He is the author of the plan of com
polling street railways, Immediately
after he has sold them to tenderfeet,
TO put in the Scent fares, and he has
announced enough Of his general pro
gram of reform 10 furnish a very clear
outline of what the next democratic
national platform will be. When his
home city started it's Scent fare prop
osltion on street railways the other
day, Johnson acted ms motorneer OF
the first car. and had his press agent
give out an interview in which he
said; Il am for 2-cent fares merely
because it is a big step toward what I
really want--that is free street cars.
have fought for 3-cent fares because
It is 2 cents nearer nothing than is
cents"
Republican party leaders who have
been deluding themselves with the no
ton that It was going to be shame
to take the money IN the campaign of
1908 had better begin to sit up and
take notice. The time has not vet
passed in America when an appeal to
the pocket nerve lacks potency. This
free street car business Is many-sided
and amounts to more than the pennies
involved. II is an appeal to the dig
nifty OF labor. The spell binder, under
the Johnson management. will show
how degrading II is for a conductor "a
break peoples ribs In an effort to col
leet slot-machine currency. All he
should do is 10 stand on the rear plat
form, help women and children of
and on the cars and exchange cigars
and .political opinions with the male
passengers, But that is only a hint
OF the possibilities and logical results
of the Johnson theory If free street
cars, why not free passenger cars and
free Pullmans? II a man may ride
free, why should he pay for his meals'
II the passengers time is valuable
why should he not be paid for travel
ing. with extra pay for overtime. If the
train happens TO fall behind SCHEDULED
Then, too, # the traveller is TO hav,
these advantages, the stay-at-hom'
must not be Disseminated against
Why not free groceries. free cIothinl
and free rentY johnson will doubt
less let It be understood that the FREE
street car scheme is Just a temporary
hating place on the road to free every
thing. to a voorhees, world where 4
will be a capital offense 10 ask augh