The San Francisco call., 1910-11-04
ROAR OF CHEERS IS
JOHNSON'S GREETING
State Is in Nation Wide Fight Against Special
Privilege, Declares Speaker

ever, had in the state Of California,
nor do answer to any man for any
single act of my career"
VAST CROWD IN RINK
Dreamland rink was filled as never
before in its history. but great as is
its seating capacity, was entirely in
adequate 10 accommodate the immense
crowd that struggled and fought at the
doors for admission.
Where Theodore Bell filled the same
hall the night previous. Johnson packed
IL last night TO the point Of suffocation,
and outside In Steiner street 5000 per-
sons. disappointed at failure 10 force
their way within. stood for two hours
and listened 10 other speakers. The
overflow meeting alone was one that
would be adjudged an immense politi-
cal audience. and despite the failure of
that outside throng to hear even a
single word from Johnson's lips, there
was enthusiasm there that was second
In intensity only to the enthusiasm dis
played within.
CROWD ASKS FOR SPEECH
When. worn out from the strain of
lis long speech, Johnson left the plat
FORM il took the assistance of several
men 70 force a way for him through
the crowd to a rear door Of the rink.
once outside and in his automobile, he
became the center for a surging mass
OF men. Shouts and cheers rang out,
and as the machine was driven away
from the entrance TO the rink the
crowd closed in, begging and implor-
ing IOr another speech. Steiner street
was packed from Sutter TO Post street,
and il was at least five minutes before
.Tohnson's car could be forced through
the thrOng.
Fifteen minutes after the doors of
the rink were opened at o'clock every
seat on the main floor was occupied,
and ] , minutes later the balconies
were filled and hundreds already were
seeking vantage points at which to
stand. Before the hour set for the
speaking TO begin the police were
forced TO block the entrances and re-
fuse admittsnce to thousands still
bent upon forcing their way into the
hall. Later the crowd outside gave
mp the struggle. yet refused TO leave,
and it was then that speaker after
speaker ieft the han and talked to the
throng from the main steps OF the
building.
PROMINENT MEN. ON STAGE
Two hundred prominent San Fran
ciseans occupied the stage Of the ring
with Johnson and Secretary of State
Charles T. Curry. who presided as
chairman OF the evening Chairman
Never Lissner OF the republican state
central committee called the meeting
10 order at a few minutes after
o'clock and as soon as the ovation
given Johnson upon his entrance had
subsiCed. When the latter entered
the hall every man and woman in the
audience stood and remained standing
until he had taken his place upon the
stage and the band had played The
star SpangIed Banner"
Lissner Went direct to the attack in
his opening remarks, when he an
nounced his intention Of taking up a
question Of personal privilege and re-
spending 10 a recent slur cast by the
democratic nominee for governor. He
quoted Bells declaration that Johnson
would not pledge himself TO the issue
Of nonpartisan control of the various
state institutions, and the latter's fur
ther Characterization Of himself as "a
cunning and crafty political boss
newly arisen in this state. who would
not let Johnson make such q pledge
because he himself demanded the die
tatiOn OF every appointment"
Denouncing Bells charge and insin-
uations as false. Lissner declared that
there were three good and sufficient
reasons why such a pledge. demanded
Of Johnson. was undeserving of atten-
tion. and why such an imputation re-
earning lht olCldtion OF appointments
was slanderous. AS a first answer he
read the plank of the republican state
platform dealing with the particular
matter Of non-psrtisan control Of state
institutions.
LAS second reason" he added.
Hiram ". Johnson is not the kind Of
man who VIII let anybody dictate to
him about anything-much less about
appointments to any office. As a final
reason. the man who. stands before you
would not be the chairman of the re-
publican state central committee if Mr.
Johnson was the kind OF man that Mr.
Bell is trying to make him out to be-"
NOT BACKED BY CORPORATION
Lisener also called attention to the
fact that while the democratic cam
paign is being led by the special in
terests" with their backing OF euor-