The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-09-24
Chico CROWDS
GIVE JOHNSON
GREAT WELCOME
Republican Candidate for Gov
ernOr EvOkeS 0utbursts of
Enthusiasm by Speech
Curry Sends Message Promising
Support and Proposing Con-
ference on Campaign
By w. RUSSELL COLE
Especial Dispatch to The Call

CHICO. Sept 23-Before 1000 per
sons gathered here tonight in the old
armory han, Hiram W. Johnson set
forth the principles of the new repub-
licanism of California in the most stir
ring address that has come from his
lips since the campaign began. Chico
gave him great reception, and in re-
turn he gave those who crowded into
the hall a straight from the shoulder
speech.
Time after time during the As min
utes that he occupied the platform,
Johnson was interrupted by storms of
handciapping and outbursts of enhusi
asm of the most spontaneous kind.
Every seat in the hall was filled and
standing room was at premium.
The meeting was presided over by NJ
Merry, and in addition to Johnson's
speech there were addresses by Alex
Gordon and Judge A G.. Burnett who
are accompanying him on his tour of
this part of the state.
WELCOME AND BANQUET
The welcome to Chico began II miles
out on the road this afternoon, just
after Johnsons automobile had crossed
into Butte county when two automo-
biles filed with Chico republicans met
his car and escorted it into the city
The chairman of the reception COM
mittee which greeted his was Florence
}. O'Brien, the defeated republican can
didate for the nomination of secretary
of state. Others in the party were ].
I. Bevans, II. w Camper. former AS
semblyman w. J. Coster DR.. J. w. Har-
vey, Phil Erickson, A S. Jones, John
Briscoe, State Senator A, E. Boynton
and Chairman George Mansfield of the
county committee.
Johnson was the guest of honor at
a banquet given by the local commit
tee at the Hotel Diamond at o'clock
tonight. Just before s o'clock a band
arrived at the hotel and Johnson was
escorted 10 the hall.
SUPPORT FROM CURRY
Johnson was met on his arrival here
in Chico tonight by George W. Ficks
of Sacramento, a close personal friend
of Charles f. Curry and an attache of
the latter's Office, bearing MESA &c
TO him from Curry assuring him active
support and good VIII.
Ficks was emphatic in the statement
that the man who contended with john
son for the primary nomination was
prepared to do everything in his power
to forward the interest of the repub-
lican ticket.
Besides delivering this message OF
good viii, Ficks' purpose in visiting
Chico was to reiterate the invitation
already extended by Curry to Johnson
Sacramento to discuss the affairs of the
campaign. 1t is expected that at the
time Curry will offer to take any part
in the fight which Johnson may deem
desirable.
PLEA FOR EXPOSITION BONDS
In his speech tonight Johnson made
strong appeal in behalf of the Pan
ama-Pacifc exposition state bond issue
and his audience signif1ed approval of
the worlds fair project by applauding
heartily. Johnson said:
/ have one boon to ask of YOU in
the name of the city of San Fran
cisco, and I ask this with utmost
confidence in the belief that you
and the people of the whole state
of California tire unit with use of
San Francisco in the desire to
make this exposition the greatest
that ever has been held in the
world.
1t is not through selfish motive
that we ask your cooperation. but
because we know that this fair
will be of benefit TO the people of
every section of the state. Without
hesitation, therefore I ask that
YOU grant this boon to the city of
San Francisco.
Johnson declared, as he has at every
meeting, that the dominant issue is
the issue of the people against the
interests.
FIGHT AGAINST HERRIN
He said that the fight is to wipe out
of the government of the state, just
as il was wiped out of the republican
party at the primary election in Au-
gust the malign influence of william
F. Herrin and the Southern Pacific
He continued:
However honest our opponents
may be in their declara tions that
they would bring about the same
ends for which we are striving
he cfr
certify or honesty of their motives
1t is nevertheless true that it is
to the insurgent, progressive move
ment within the republican party
that the state must look for the
carrying out of these reforms.
A defeat of the republican party
this fall would be in wise a
victory for the democratic party
but victory for the reactionaries,
for the standpatters. for the "in-
terests" and for William F. Herrin
and the Southern Pacific.
However honest our opponents
may be and however pure person
the fact remains that every one of
these influences | have mentioned
are against US and aligned with
them.
AGAINST ASIATIC LABOR
johnson talked of the national sig
nificance of the present fight in Cali
fornia and then discussed at some
length a rev OF the principal pldnkS
in the republican state platform. His
declaration in favor of the exclusion
of Asiatic labor won a hearty round of
applause.
He also touched upon such matters
of reform as the shorter ballot, the de-
mand for pure Australian ballot,
simplification of the direct primary
law. the passage of a new and adequate
employers liability law. direct legis-
lation and direct vote for United
States senator.
SQUARE DEAL FOR PEOPLE
In concluding with repetition of
his assertion that the great dominant
issue still to be faced was the expul-
sion of Herrin and the Southern Pa
cifc from the government, Johnson ex-
claimed:
l grow a bit suspicious when ]
hear a man talking too much about
a square deal on every side and
dilating on what is due to the in
terests l stand for a square deal
and every honest man stands for a
square deal. but what we have to
look out for is a square deaf for
the people.