The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1911-11-28
.InRtE.CtNT LIGHT nav
SUCCEED CHEAP cARFARt


CLEVELAND, Nov. sS.--."Thrc~
cent light"
What docs that mean.
Think OF "three-ccnt fare" and YOU
have the answer.
Newton d. Baker, apostle Of the
late Tom l., johnson. Is the standard
bearer OF the "thr~>ccnt light" slo-
gan. Just a. Tom l., johnson Was the
leader In tho finally successful war
for cheap street car farce In this city.
Baker. who Was recently elected
mayor by tho Grcatcst plurality ever
given a candidate In this city. Is today
one OF the most interesting figures In
municipal politics.
He Is q thin. wiry little man. with
bright eyes and a soft voice. A. the
citys legal expert he advised his closc
friend and teacher. johnson. through
out the iow-iarc asht, Though he Is
properly called Tom Johnson's poiit-
icai heir. Baker IL q man Of larger
mental capacity. originality and hsht-
Ing courage. and Cleveland today re-
CARDS him - . force In many ways
equal to that Of johnson.
In a special interview Baker out.
lined his public service intentions In
these words:
"Ehiciency and honesty In the ad-
ministration OF the ordinary Affairs
OF the city: Justice In the relations be-
tween public service COZ porations and
citizens"
Said he: Those were the city sos.
crnment ideals OF Mr.. johnson. I
shall strive TO perpctuatc them. You
might say that the general idea 10 nm
ideal municipality. Mr. johnson
dreamed and fought for Cleveland as
city set upon high HIN He meant
that Cleveland should provide for It's
citizens. not merely . place In which
to work and live. but q place for rich
enjoyment Of iifc's comforts. general
health. equal opportunities. FREQ edu.
cation and general prosperity. His
three-cent fare night was merely one
phase Of . general idea"
TIE platform upon which Baker
was elected pledged his administra-
tion to again AXE up the night for
honest government where johnson
left Oh. Bakers arst move will be
to take up . fight for "thrce-eent
light" through the erection OF num-
cipal light plant.
Tho people - . whole are pro-
gressive In SPIRIT" said Baker. and
II ID not TO them that arguments must
be made. The nght comes from the
other side. Our working out Of the
plan for Q municipal lighting plant
has Just begun. A study must BE- made
Of the cost OF production and the
business for the city run on an hon.
est ehlcient basis. What we expect
to accomplish through the municipal
plant 10 to furnish lights for the
homes Of the rich and poor alike at .
minimum cost OF production. with
maximum caaciency st . minimum
price to the consumer. Then the city
can compete with the present monop-
oily and high prices."
Il Vas suggested to Baker that per-
sons outside Of Cleveland believed tho
city wss working out its problems In
sociaiistic way. but without regard
to party.
mot at ALL" replied the mayor.
elect. Socialists are In favor Of mu-
nicipai ownership. but everyone that
favors municipal ownership 10 not a
socialist. Every city has It's problems
to solve In Its own way. We will take
up the subject OF water filtration In
Cleveland along the same lines that
the lighting question must be han
died.
"If II 10 shown that the water
reaching the city's residents 10 I'm
pure. then We must and . way Of A.
tration: and again dealing honestly.
with the greatest emciency and at
minimum cost"
When johnson ran for mayor the
last time and met defeat. Baker was
the only democrat on the ticket elect
Cd. II 10 said he wished to resign his
post ~ city solicitor. but his chief In.
sisted that he remain In once.
Bakers admiration for johnson
and bis principles 10 unbounded. He
has appointed former johnson lieu
tenants to once In his city cabinet.
and tho johnson ideals will rule the
city hall.
tom L. johnson was tho greatest
executive any city In America ever
bad" said Baker. II DO not regard |
my election - q personal victory. II
was . complete endorsement. the last |
word Of tho people Of Cleveland on
Johnson's life and work."