New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-20
TOM L. JOHNSON POOR
SAYS FINE HOME And
AUTOS MUST GO.
Fortune Wrecked in Politics and
Brothers Estate, CleUeland Mayor
Happy and Still Optimistic.

| lost everything and would be coInpeHe0 10 give
up his handsome home in Euclid avenue and
| move into smaller and less expensive quarters
The Mayor also stated that he would give up
his automobiles and other luxuries. because he
/ could no longer afford to keep them.
His fortune was wrecked the Mayor declared.
| by his devotion to the affairs of the estate Of
! his dead brother Albert, who was heavily inter
ested in traction properties in the East. After
AIbert's death 1t was suggested to Mayor John
son that he resign as Mayor and take UP the
management of Albert's estate.
Il decided that I would not" said the Mayor
day I had entered the fight in this city
with certain ideals before me. I wanted to fight
privilege and special interests, and had already
decided to give up working for dollars. So I
concluded to stay right here and do what I could
to help my brothers children at long distance.
Why did I choose the course I did? I'll tell
you. It's not because I'm philanthropist' Tor
I'm not. I acted from a purely selfish motive
I wanted happiness and nothing else when
closed up my business affairs and took up civic
activity.
And I've been happy. 700 The last seven
wears have been the best of my life, leaving out
of consideration the loss of my brother
HAPPY IN A COTTAGE.
I'm going TO be happy yet, too. We may
have to go back 10 a cottage but that's the
way. we started and We can look upon life Just
as tovfullv there as we did in the big house on
Euclid
They tell me my enemies are planning to
bring financial trouble upon me. I've been ex-
pectfng it, There's one mistake haven't made
that Of failing to foresee the efforts Of those
who would like to destroy me II opportunity
presented.
MY enemies are capable OF doing that One
may expect nothing else from special privilege.
However I realize that any other set OF men
in the same circumstances would act the same
Let them do what they may. Let them
make any sort of attack upon me that they
choose with whatever success, and they will
find me with a thousand fights left in me
IN never give up I'm well and strong and
confident, and they'll always find me at the
front
If I had been coward-if had run away
from this fight for the people OF CleveIand-I
could have saved my fortune and built it UP.
But l had chosen my course and did not have
any mind for altering it.
The pursuit of mere dollars doesn't interest
me. I suppose I could go down in Wall Street
now and make some money. I've bought and
sold with E H. Hartman and I suppose l
could go and do it again. But I'm not going 10
do anything of the sort.
Il don't want you to misunderstood what
have been working for as Mayor. I haven't
been laboring with the expectation Of being
warded by the gratitude of the people One
cannot count that. It's pleasure in doing
work that I like that has kept me in the fight.
L have never made single penny out Of the
street railways since became Mayor Nobody
else has worked as hard as l. and I haven't
drawn a cent of pay from the Municipal Trdc-
ton Company treasurer. don't propose to
ask cent for my work in helping the receivers
L have never spent money in politics In
campaign have 1 ever paid more than my as
sessment, $500 on the $4,000 salary of Mayor.
Sometimes | have not paid that much in cash.
when the committee has allowed me a certain
amount for the of my tents. We have never.
been in debt at the end of campaign but once
when l gave up active business affairs l did
it because the requirements Of my work didn't
square with my principles.
NOT TEMPTED BY YACHTS AND HORSES.
I suppose I could have taken up a life Of
ease when I retired had 1 wished. I vel
come at the clubs. Fast horses. yachts and
other aIIurements were open to me. For me,
though happiness lay in another direction.
My only recreation has been automobing.
I'd like to keep one of my autos. but I'm afraid
I can't
Back in my prosperous days | gave the
home on Euclid avenue TO my wife It is hers
vet and she'll own 1t still. even though can't
afford live in IL.
Y don't feel discouraged. I'm free man, and
that means a great deal to me. And I have my
friends,
Don't you suppose it will be worth some
thing to me to have my friends realize that I
entered the Mayors office rich and left it poor?
The realization of what all that means is worth
more to ME than the money I've lost
I'm going to keep just I've started.
when this term is over"
The Municipal Traction Company, of which
Mayor Johnson treasurer passed into the
hands of receivers in the federal court several
days ago. Following this came the transfer to
two local banks OF the Depositors Savings and
Trust Company, OF which the Mayor was presi-
dent It is said this action was hastened by
the threats Of Mr.. Johnson's individual Creditors
to file suits TO obtain payment on notes indorsed
by the Mayor.
It is said Mr.. Johnson has recently lost ap-
proximately $4,000 in connection with his
interests at Lorain Ohio.
Mayor Tom L johnson, who is serving his fourth
term as chief executive of Cleveland Is perhaps
best known for his active advocacy OF the scent
fare system in that city His early training was in
the street railroad business and as soon as he was
bic he began TO secure control Of streetcar lines
having large interests IN indianapolis. Detroit and
Brooklyn at one time His experience In Detroit
led him 10 believe that there was a field for profit
IN 3-cent fares. He was elected and reelected
Mayor OF Cleveland largely on the Issue Of
ing the lowering Of fares Failing In his efforts to
bring the Cleveland Electric Railway Company TO
terms. he encouraged the formation OF a com
pary, called the Municipal. 10 operate Scent fare
cars the outcome Of the years contest
by Mayor johnson, the Scent fare was finally
cured but the question of the lease to the Munich
pa Traction Company OF the lines OF the Cleveland
Pa Company the people