The San Francisco call., 1910-10-13
johnson ASKS
BELL QUESTION
ABOUT GRAFT
Republican Standard Bearer In
quires Why Bourbon Nom=
inee Was Silent
Scores Opponent for Ignoring
Battle to Overthrow the
SChmitZ=Ruef Regime
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call
By w. RUSSELL COLE

By w. RUSSELL COLE
RosEvTILE. oct. 12-Theodore Bell
has been asking in his campaign
speeches where Hiram ". Johnson was
four years ago. when he. as democratic
nominee for governor. was making his
fight upon something of the same
railroad issue now presented.
Bell has been wanting to know why
Johnson was silent then upon the
theme which he is now preaching
throughout California. Here in Rose
S-iTIe tonight Johnson answered the
question most concisely and put
query to Bell in return. What Johnson
asks is why Bell during his former
campaign was silent q s 2 sphinx upon
the subject that then was engrossing
the attention not only Of all California
but OF the whole nation-the over
throw Of the Sohmitz- -Ruef graft
regime in San Francisco
WHERE WAS RoDERICk:
That was a fight for principle. John
son asserted. in which Bells influence
would have been powerful had he seen
ft 10 use il. but in all his state cam
paign he absolutely avoided all refer
ence 10 il. Johnson's answer TO Bell
was greeted with a great outhurst or
applause and cheers from the crowd
which heard him. Taking up this sub
5ect in the middle Of his speech, he
said:
In the utterances of my distin-
guished opponent I have been asked
why my voice was not raised in his
behalf four years ago. when he was
going about the state denouncing the
influence of the Southern Pacific upon
our government. Four years ago we
were confronted in the city from which
/ come by an organized band Of men
which trafficked in public Office, public
rights. emoluments and all that people
hold dear. Some of US who were
anxious to see decent government re-
stored and maintained were devoting
day and night TO unraveling that situa-
ton and formulating the fight 10 take
our government from this band that
had debauched il, and now in that fight
7 may ask where was that distfn-
guisned gentleman who asks where
was four years ago? / was there in
san Francisco. engaged in the fight.
Where was Roderick then? One blast
upon his bugIe were worth 10000 men,
I have told you where Twas When
he comes TO talk to you, ask him where
he was and why his voice was silent
when he was confronted by the great
est infamy ever born or suffered and
the greatest problem IN municipal gov
ernment.'
CARRIES PROGRESSIVE BANNER
Johnson carried the banner Of pro-
gressive republicanism throughout
Placer county today. Here tonight and
at Auburn Newcas stle and Lincoln this
afternoon he discussed the issues Of
the state campaign before audiences
aggregating nearly 1900 persons. De-
spite the continued rain, which has
made the last two days hard ones for
l.
people indoors, crowds turned out
everywhere to greet the republican
nominee for governor. and all his meet
ings We're notable for the enthusiasm
displayed and for the ovations accorded
the speaker.
For the first time since the beginning
Of the state campaign Johnson suffered
an interruption during his address in
the theater at Auburn, but IL was of
the slightest moment. Some boys in
the balcony of the theater hung a sign
reading Vote for Bell" over the bal
cony railing while Johnson was in the
midst Of his address and began to
litter to attract attention. Johnson
smiled at the incident and with tn.
utmost good nature told the young
sters to let him have his say out and
he would then turn the whole place
over TO them.
JOh1cOA
A minute later he turned to the same
boys and interrupted his address to say,
4 want just one word with you boys
now. II you have brains enough to
understand something of the principles
OF civics and especially of good govern
ment you must know that the fight that
is now being waged by us is in behalf
Of just such youngsters as you. 1t is
one of the dominant issues for which
Sol. NTr,~~ > 1.-4
every child shall have an equal start
in the race OF life, regardless of acci-
dent Of birth or other fortuitous cir
cunstances- Our fight is the fight of
human repubIicanism. 1t is the fight
10 eXalt the human being in this gov
ernment Of ours above the mere dol
lar. It is the fight that will make pos
sible the fulfillment of decent youth
ful ambition in our government with
out forcing the man who seeks po-
sition TO crawl to a political boss, or
be shackled with an Oregon boot TO a
locomotive"
Johnson left Grass Valley early this
morning, riding on a freight train on
the Nevada county narrow gauge rail-
road TO ColfaX. where he left his autv-
mobile yesterday. Taking the car there
he came on TO Roseville. making three
stops and three speeches on the way.
The addresses were at Auburn New
c2Stie ana l-luCOifl, dL eacn or which
towns halls had been decorated in hon.
or OF his coming.
Placer county's welcome has been a
cordial one Two automobile loads OF
republican admirers Joined Johnson al
Auburn. where he spoke at ! o'clock
and accompanied his car into this city
The meeting at Auburn was held in
the theater and was presided over by
John NJ. I'ulweiler.
Prior 10 the meeting here tonight
there was band music and plenty oi
red fire before the theater in which
the rally was held. Johnson left i'm.
mediately after the meeting in his au
foinobile for Sacramento, where ht
viii spend the night. going by trair
tomorrow TO San Francisco to be pres
ent az the mass meeting at Dreamlan(
rink in the evening.
35th Postpones Meeting
The a1sual Thursday night meeting o.