The Washington times., 1908-11-14
OHIOANS SEE FINISH
OF JOHNSON'S REGIME
Has Reached End of Spectacular Career Is Prediction
Made by Many Republican Politicians Down
and Out" Is Expression.
By JOHN SNURE.

leased 10 the Municipal Traction COM
pany. Johnson was the vice president
of the system, anG Antoine DUPONT, OF
ST. Louis, became president and general
manager Some Of the young men or
reform tendencies who had helped J0hn-
son IN MS battles and were known as
members Of Johnson Kitchen capl-
ret" became directors. It was an indl-
rect method OF arriving at the substance
OF municipal ownership. which was not
possible OF direct accomplishment OWING
10 the Ohio laws.
The experiment was watched with
acute interest ali over the United States
because it was widely felt that If john
son made a success of MS plan Of cheap
street railway fares in Cleveland, the
same reform would inevitably be forced
in other municipalities.
Bad Luck Follows.
Without going into all the multiplied
tous details of Johnson's troubles that
followed on the taking over Of the
street railway lines by the Municipal
Traction Company, it is sufficient 20
say that bad luck seemed 70 pursue the
project from the outset. From the out
set. a 3-cent fare was charged. This
was undoubtedly a mistaken policy. II
the 5-Ceut fare plan was TO be applied,
it should have been iuaugurated gradu-
ally in the Judgment of men familiar
with the situation The Cleveland Elec-
trio Company had been loath To make
beJteTmeuts while the fight on it was
III progress. and hence Johnson found
there was much L. be done IN way OF
improvements.
Tie depression of year ago came
on and business fell OF. Universal
transfers were not given at the outset,
and charge Of / cent was made for
transfers This provoked auJagOuiSm
among people who had voted for john
son in the belief scent fares would PIE
vail Labor troubles arose, fomented,
10 IS charged, by the old Cleveland Elec-
trle COmpanys influence, and then
came "a strike. which added 10 the un-
popularity Of the new plan and led
10 the Inauguration of the movement
toT a referendum on the question Of the
franchise.
Fought 1t Hard.
Johnson fought of the referendum IS
long IS he could, but this EFFORT TO pre-
vent Il merely famed the fame Of op-
position to aim In order 10 raise funds
for the street railway project he opened
free stock exchange and sold stock
at par, urging his constituents to buy.
Informal guarantees were given the
stock would yield per cent. But now
that the vote in the referendum has
knocked out the franchise. the NUM-
cipal Traction Company is unable TO
make good these guarantees Of returns
on the stock.
Judge Taylor has appointed receivers
for the Municipal Traction Company
and the Cleveland Railway Company.
and Johnson Is lighting 10y every posi-
bic legal device to get back under his
control the Scent lines he originally
held before the Cleveland Electric Com
Pauy sold out. II Is likely the receiver
ship will be followed by Jue granting
of a new commercial franchise for the
handling OF the street railway business
OF Cleveland. At least. -here is & pros
pect that this will be the outcome. In
that case, the municipal management Of
the lines, onWnlch the friends of NUM-
cipsf ownership in Cleveland have long
set their hearts, will get d baCkset from
which recovery for many years viii be
Impossible. In fact, the municipal Ow-
nership cause generally viii De given
q black eye, largely because, as many
of the men best acquainted with what
has happened in Cleveland believe. be
cause Johnson did not handle the situa-
ton to the best advantage