The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-20
TOM JOHNSON
 GOES BROKE Cleveland's Mayor Loses
 His Fortune. 10 SELL HOME AND AUTOS To Move Into Cottage and Begin
 Life Anew. But Johnson Says He Is Happy anA Not Dncournged--wilI Run fer
 Mayor Again Next
TO SELL HOME AND AUTOS

cfeulteQ Wlbn the poSsebolpn or very large fortune. today announced that he had lost everything and would be compelled to give up his beautiful home on Euclid Avenue and move into smali- CT and less expensive quarters.
 The Mayor also stated that he would give Up his automobiles and other lux uries because he could no longer afford to keep them. Ills fortune was wrcck- ed, the Mayor declared, by his devotion to the affairs of the estate of his dead brother, Albert. who was heavily inter- csted in traction properties sin the East.
 After Albert's death. question was put up to him whether he should re- sign his office as Mayor and take up the management of Albert's estate.
 T decided that I would not. had entered the light In this city with cer- tain ideals before me. wanted to fight privilege and special interests and had already decided to give up work ing for dollars. So, I concluded to stay right here and do what could to help my brothers children at long distance.
 "Why did I choose the course I didg I'll tell you. It's not because I'm a phllanthropist. for I'm not acted fromsa purely selfish motive. I want cd happiness and nothing else, when [ closed up my buslneBs affairs and took up civic activity.
 And I've been happy to too. The past several years have been the best of my life. leaving out of considera- tion the loss of my brother.
 Back to a C0ttm@e.
 'I'm going to be happy yet too. We may have to so back 10 a cottage but that's the way we started, and we can look upon, life just as joyfulIy there ap we did ia the big house on Euclid Avenue. They tell me my enemies are planning to bring financial trouble up- on me. I've beBn expecting it. There's failing to toreaeg tis stEcrts of those who would like to destroy me if oppor@ tuniay presented.
 My enemies are capable Of doing that. may expect nothing else for 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 win iind mo with a thousand fights left In me.
 'T never give up.s I'm well and strong and confident and they'll aIways find me at the front.
 If T had been a coward--if had run away from this light for the peo- pie of Cleveiand---I could have saved my fortune and built 1t up. But had chosen my course. and I did not have any mind for altering it
 The pursuit of mere dollars does not interest me. suppose could go down In Wall Street now and make some money. I've bought and sold with E. IT. Earrlman, and I suppose could go and do it again, but I'm m fn 40 AZ ahl anrf
 T don't want you to misunderstand what have been working for as Mayor. I haven't been laboring with the ex- pectation of being rewarded by the gratitude of. the people. one cannot count on that. It's pleasure in doing work that I like that has kept me in the fight.
 T have never made a single penny out of the street railways since I be- came Mayor. Nobody else has worked as hard as I. and I have not drawn cent of pay from the Municipar Trac- tion Company as Treasurer. I do not propose to ask for cent for my work in helping The receivers.
 'I have never spent money In poii- ties. In DO campaign have ever paid more than my assessment, 9600. on the $6.000 salary of Mayor. Some times I have not paid that much in cash when the committee has allowed me a certain amount for the use of my tents. We have never been in debt at the end of the campaign but once. When l gave up active business af- fairs, I did 1t because the reqaire- ments of my work did not square with my principles. . tf
 T suppose could have taken up life of ease when I retired had wished. I was welcome at the clubs Fast horses. yachts and other allure Ryar fn Faa s1sa though, happiness lay in another direc- tion.
 Wants Hia Auto.
 My only recreation has becn auto mobiliVg. I'd like to keep one of my automobiles. but I'm afraid can't.
 Back in my prosperous days. gave the home on Euclid Avenue to my wife. It is hers yet. and she'n own 1t still even though we can't afford 10 live in 1t.
 T don't feel discouraged. I'm a free man and that means q great deal to me and have nay friends, too. Don't you suppose it will be worth some that entered the Mayors once rich and left 1t poor. The realization of what all that means Is worth more to me than the money I've loat.. I'm going to keep on just as I've started 1 am 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 Court several days ago Following this came the transfer to two local, banks of the Deposit Savings and Trust Company. of which tho Mayor was President. It Is said this action was precipitated by tho threats of Mir. Johnsons individual creditors to nle suits to obtain payment on notes en- dorsed by the Mayor.
 It Is said Mir. Johnson has recehtly lost. approximately sse0 900 ia connee- ton with his interests at Lorraine. O.