The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
TOM JOHNSON BROKE.
Cleveland Mayor Says His Entire For
tune Is Gone

Cleveland, O., Nov. 2O.-Mayor
Tom L. johnson who, for years, has
been credited with possessing a very
large fortune. has announced that he
had lost everything, and would be
compelled to give UP his beautiful
into smaller and less expensive quar-
tiers. 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 in
terested in traction properties in the
east.
After Alberts death, a question was
put to him whether he should re-
sign his Office as mayor and take up
the management of Albert's estate.
Il decided that I would not. l had
entered the fight in this city with GER
tain ideals before me. 1 wanted to
fight special privileges and special in
terests, and had already decided to
give UP working for dollars. So
concluded to stay right here and do
what 1 could to help my brothers
children at long distance.
why did 1 choose. the course I
did I'll tell you. 1t is not because
am a philanthropist, for I'm not I
acted from purely selfish motive. 1
wanted happiness and nothing else,
when I closed up my business affairs
and took up civic activity.
And I've been happy, too. The
past seven years have been the best of
my life, leaving out of consideration
the loss of my brother.
Il m going to be happy yet, too.
We have to go back to a cottage, but
that's the way we started, and we
can look upon life just as joyfully
there as we did in the big house on
Euclid avenue.
They tell me my enemies are plan
ming to bring financial troubles upon
me.
I've been expecting it. There is one
mistake l nave not made-that of falling
like to destroy me if opportunity pre-
of the street railway since I became
mayor. Nobody else has worked as hard
from the Municipal Traction company as
treasurer ] don't propose to ask a cent
Il have never spent money in play. In
no condition sl have I paid more than my
mayor. Some times I have not paid that
much in cash. when the committee has
Of MY tents We haTe mev fqr b 5ne uf 9
debt at the end of a campaign but once.
MY only recreation has been automo-
Il would like to keep one of my auto
mobiles. but l am afraid 1 can't.
Back in my prosperous days, l gave
the home of EUCLID avenue to my wife 1t
Is hers yet and she'll own it still. even
though we can't afford to live in it.
m "oing to keep on just as I've start
ed. IN going to be candidate for mayor
again when this term is over
The Municipal Traction company of
which, Mayor johnson was treasurer,
passed into the hands of receivers in the
federal courts several days ago Follow
ing this came the transfer to two local
banks of the Depositors' Savings and
Trust company. of which the mayor was
President 1t is said this action was pre-
cipitated by the threats of Mr. Johnson s
individual creditors to file suits to obtain
payment on notes Endorsed by the MAYOR
1t is said Mr.. johnson recently lost APP
proximately $4,000 in connection with
his interests in Lorain. o.