The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-11-20
| WILL CONQUER
AGAIN FIELD OF:
FINANCE
tom JoHNsWu.
CLEVELAND EXECUTIVE WILL
RENEW THE STRUGGLES WHICH
BEGAN YEARS AGo-hE sAYa
HE is HAPPY.

CLEVELAND. o., Nov. 20.-Tom l..
Johnson. once a millionaire. but now
almost penniless. is undaunted today
in his determination to again cor
quer fields OF endeavor and amass an
other great fortune. The great ex-
ponent OF municipal ownership and
the foe OF vested rights and special
interests may move back TO a cottage
with his family. The imposing man
sion on Euclid-ave.. in which lavish
entertainments have been held.a4 ami
from which Mr.. Johnson viewed the
great throbbing outside world from a
position OF ease, may not shelter the
Johnson family very long.
I'VE may have to reduce ourselves,
socially, at least" observed Mr.. John
son. "but we started life In a cottage.
We can look upon life as joyfuily
there as we have In the Euclid-ave.
residence. The past seven years have
been the happiest OF my life, except
tor the death OF my brother, Albert.
was urged to remove to the east and
look after my brothers traction az
fairs, but had ideals before me and
remained in Cleveland. AS result
NY lOAtuHC 10 WiCthCdp Dut dni 40 Wv
termined today as I was when l be-
gan life l nthe business world years
ago."
Mr.. John spoke in a clear voice as
he reviewed the great financial deal
ings in which he has been interested.
There was a CLINT Of determination In
his eye. 1t was the same Tom l..
Johnson. The threats of his enemies
have not disturbed him.
Il am told" he continued, that my
enemies are threatening to make trou-
BILE for me. This Is what I expected.
I have always seen, in advance. tho
designs OF the special interests that
sought to ruin me. Let them come.
III never give up.
Had been a coward / would have
run away from this fight in Clevelani.
could have saved my fortune.
could have builded il higher into
n curtains OF gold. But | have been
loyal to my true convictions. | have
fought the battle the best l knew
how.
Il could go to Wall-st. and engage
sactions with K. II. Hartman. and
| COulu uO IL again, Dul ia bOiuS W
stay right here in Cleveland.
| II have not made n cent on the
street railways since I took the mayor
atty Office OF Cleveland. Nor have
drawn cent OF pay as treasurer Of
the Municipal Traction Co I do not
ask anything for assisting the receiv-
ers.
Politics has never cost me much. l
have paid 5000 as my assessment, on
the $4,000 salary as mayor Sometimes
/ have been allowed amounts for the
use of my tents and I haven't always
paid the 5000 assessment"
Mr. Johnson added that he gave the
mansion on Euclid-ave. to his wife
years ago and she will retain owner
ship OF it, whether they can afford TO
live in II or not.
Il will run for mayor again." said
Mr. Johnson. 81 entered the mayors
Office rich and now I'm poor. The
realization OF my friends esteem for
this sacrifice Is worth more to me than
all the money | ever possessed. l
suffered a loss OF 100000 recently In
my interests at Lorain, o."
Mayor Johnson Is 81 years old. He
was Dor min Kentucky and educated
in Indiana, and began life as an en-
ploye OF a street railway company IN
Louisville, Ky.n He invented street
railway deyicesY which were the found
alton OF Ills fortune. He bought a
traction line I'm indianapolis and later
became connected, through securing
part ownership. OF traction lines In
Brooklyn, Cleveland and Detroit.
Mr.. Johnson was head OF the De-
troit street railway system during
Mayor Pingree's incumbency. He mas
been elected mayor of Cleveland three
| times on a three-cent fare proposition