Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-04-11
TOM |. JOHNSON
Dies at Cleveland Home
After Long Illness.
Famous as Advocate Of the
Three-Cent Car Fare.
Twice Congressman, Thrice Mayor
and Single Tax Advocate.

Cleveland, Ohio, April 10.-Tom L.
Johnson, twice congressman from the
21at Ohio district, four times mayor of
Cleveland, champion of 3-cent railway
fare and prominent advocate of the
single tax theories of the late Henry
George, died in his apartments in the
White Hall, at 8,45 tonight after long
Illness. Death was caused by crrhosiS
OF the liver. He was 81 years old.
Mr.. johnson had been ill for more
than year, but his condition was not
thought serious until he suffered a
relapse Wednesday. March 10. lie had
been gaining strength ever since he
came home after passing the summer
on Nantucket island. On Saturday
night, March II. he left his apartments
and attended banquet at the Nisi
Prius Club, an organization of Cleve-
land lawyers. He remained there un-
til A. NJ. Sunday and when he return
ed to his home he complained of not
feeling we'll.
The following Wednesday his eondi-
ton was such that he was obliged to
go to bed. From that day to the time
of his death lis condition was grave,
though several times he rallied amaz-
inSly. Although he realized he did not
have long 20 live, he was cheerful and
optimistic to the end.
Tom l.. Johnson once referred 10
himself in public address as Il
stormy pctreI' and this metaphor
APPLY described him and his career
From the time lie entered the Offices
of Il Louisville street railway COM
paly at the age of Is until his defeat
fer fifth term as mayor of Cleve-
land on Nov. ., 1909, he was in the
stress of some storm. political or fl
nancal, and, he often said, it was
thus that he most enjoyed himself
Johnson was born in Georgetown.
Ky, July Is, 1851. He was christened
Thomas Loftin, but he always pre-
ferred to call himself Tom L.. and
50 he was known from boyhood He
started 10 work in Louisville trac-
ton office, and when still a youth
secured sufficient backing and bought
controlling interest in the Indian
apolis Street Railways. In the SOS
with his brother Albert ne came to
Cleveland and became Interested in
the street car systems here and as
sisted in a partial consolidation of
IiAS4Al' iit bGtdIIIe iictlbI III Tie
Cleveland Electric Railway Co. and
in 1891 was elected a member of Con-
gress from the 2lst Ohio district, serv-
ing two terms as a single taXer. When
he was defeated as a candidate for
third term lie went to New York,
disposing of his street car interests
in Cleveland and acquiring control of
the Nassau Street Railway Line in
Brooklyn.
While engaged in business in Cleve-
land he sold his Indianapolis traction
holdings and acquired control of the
Detroit Car Lines and it was then that
he first proposed Scent fares The
citizens OF Detroit, however rejected
his proposal that they buy his road
and establish that rate of fare and he
retired from Detroit. He also entered
into the steel manufacturing business
at JohnstOwn, Pa, Moxham, Pa, and
Lorain, Ohio. These interests he sue
cesSively disposed Of and when, in 1900
he sold his Brooklyn traction line, he
was left free of business cares. He
returned to Cleveland and in April,
1901, was elected mayor of Cleveland
on a platform which promised univer-
sal 3-cent ear fare.
After d fight with the Street Car Co.,
which lasted until 1908 and through
four elections, in each of which he
Continued on PAGE TWelVe)