The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-02
JOHNSON MAY LOSE
"FIGHTING MAYOR MAKING DEs-
PERATE STAND.
Result of Election I'm Cleveland Tues
day May Eliminate Tom Johnson
From Ohio Politics For
Good.

Cleveland. o.. Aug. Mayor john
sons most desperate of all traction
campaigns is practically ended and the
city Is greatly stirred over the refer
endum election to be held Tuesday. II
Is OF tremendous Importance, for upon
It's outcome hinges not only the fate
OF the indefatigable Mayors latest
three-cent-fare traction ordinance, but
the success Of the fight which he has
kept up ever since he became Mayor
OF this city. eight years ago.
IL is fully realized by both sides that
the ordinance Is sustained. Mayor
Johnson will be master of the situation
and In a position to accomplish the OBJ
tect for which he has fought so many
years and for the sake OF which he has
sacrificed a considerable part of bis
large fortune: but II is equally we'll
understood that the loss OF the battle
means not merely temporary defeat.
put would put an ignominous end 10
the brilliant political and civic career
OF the Fighting Mayor"
the coming election marks the cri-
sis In the Mayors eight years effort to
materialize his traction ideas. II the
grant Is voted down. many believe, II
will mean The complete elimination OF
the Mayor as a political factor In the
city or State. Should the vote be IA
vorapie to the Mayors plan. It 10 pre-
dicted that the Cleveland Railway
company, which he has almost driven
GUY OF existence and which he has har-
RED for many years with the votes of
cleveland behind him. will be forced 10
accept any proposal for settlement
Johnson may make.
The required six months notice was
given to the railway company that the
city would revoke the old three-cent
grants at the expiration OF six months.
should the vote be in favor of the new
ordnance, Johnsons system would. ar
Ter the expiration OF the six montha.
time. include eighty per cent of the en-
TIRE street railway system. Herman !.
Schmidt, who has been granted a nun
per OF three-cent franchises. plans q
new company to take over ali the
three-cent lines In the city. if thu Nav.
or should win his fight.
Unpretudiced observers are oS ,ha
opinion that the chances at the COM
ing election are decidedly against NAV
or Johnson. His present term IN offlce
VIII expire in January of next wear
-FOUR times already has heSsecured the
approval OF the people and has he been
eiectea with ever-increasing majoritfoa
put the approval of the people nnce
the Mayors greatest and sursat asss,
Is now extremely doubtful. He lost RI
former referendum election last fail nv
oVo votes In q total Of 75.OOo Th,,
election Knocked out the grant unon
"hicn mayor johnson was given con
troi OF the entire traction system under
iease from the company.
AT the same time, II Is generally adj.
mitted that the position OF the street
railway company Is not much srron1er
now than II has been at any tfrns a,s,ca
the beginning Of the fight. The com
pany has been greatly weakened by the
long contest and, even in case 1t should
win the battle on next Tuesday. II
would be in an extremely uncertain
position. Whatever the outcome of the
election may be. the city controls
three-fourths of the street railway
lines of the city and this would give 10
the Council a powerful weapon against
the company. OF course, eyerythIns
depends upon the result of the vote.
II the Mayor wins. 1t is believed he
VIII be able to finance q new company
to take over the lines controlled by
the municipality. should the Cleveland
Railway Company still refuse to settle
upon his plan.
It is more dificult to foresee what
will happen should Mayor Johnson lose
his fight next Tuesday. Only one thins
lis considered certain in that event, h
will certainly be defeated for re-elect.
ion next November. His Council prob
ably will be voted out and a Council
elected that will Immediately settle
regardless of Johnson's plans for which
he has fought SO long. In that case the
settlement will probably be effected
upon the plan suggested by Judge
Taylor. which provides for the sale OF
seven tickets for quarter with a pen
ny charge for transfers. Mayor John
son insisted that the company must
guarantee a maximum fare of not more
than a quarter for seven tickets with
out a charge for transfers. Judge Tay-
lor also suggested that the purchase OF
the lines be permitted after ten years.
while Johnson wants II to be possible
in two years. The campaign has been
bitter and determined on both sides,
but II seems that the citizens have be-
come wearied by the Tlong night and
are anxious to have the traction matter
definitely settled upon the best terms