The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-07-19
CAMP ON
JOHNSON PLAN
OTTO A. CASE, CANDIDATE
FOR GOVERNOR, rs USING
METHODS ADOPTED BY
STRENUOUS CALIFORNIA
EXECUTIVE TO WIN VOTES.

GAGO y v = " w LIN w LIN
Governor Hiram johnson of California
made his campaign for governor in a
unique manner Ignoring the beaten
trails for political candidates he and his
son took an automobile and penetrated
every nook and corner of the state No
hamlet was too obscure, no voter too
humble to be ignored by johnson and the
wisdom OF his campaign was made ap-
parent when the voters OF California
rose up ami routed the Southern Pacific
political machine and elected Johnson to
office.
4 campaign similar to Johnson's is
being conducted in this state by Otto 4.
Case, progressive republican candidate
for governor of Washington. Mr.. Case
had no money to hire publicity agents
or establish headquarters III the leading
cities. The people had to be reached and
made acquainted with the man and the
things he stood for SO Mr.. Case tore a
leaf from Johnson's book and inaug-
urated similar campaign. He and his
wife are finding their way with small
auto into every part of the state-into
every crossroads and small hamlet as
well as the larger towns and cities.
Arriving at town they put a sign
on their machine something like this;
Otto A. Case, progressive republican can
didate for governor will speak from this
auto at , p. m. Then Mr. Case strikes
out with his literature. Into every store,
shop and factory he goes, leaving his
reading matter and greeting each voter
with a hearty hand clasp and an invita-
| tion to come out and hear him speak
Mr.. Case has a charming personality and
he makes friends offhand who may be
turned to account next September When
the hour comes for him to speak it is
rare occasion that does not find several
cred around his auto. Mr.. Case makes
speech, outlining clearly what he
stands for and what he will try to do if
elected governor, tells them he wants
their votes if they believe in him, throws
on the power and scoots for another
town where the performance is repeated.
Mr. Case isn't counted on as a serious
possibility by the chain of newspapers
in the Wilson Perkins combine-not out
loud. at least. There may be a surprise
in store for the standpat crowd when
the votes are counted. The average citi-
zen has a quiet fondness for the candi-
date that meets him on his own level,
without any airs or affectations or thin
ly veiled "Ill condescend to notice you
until after election manner.
Mr. Case points out that he is the or
iginal progressive candidate for governor.
He claims that he was advocating the
initiative and referendum and RECALL
OF THE JUDICIARY when all the other
candidates were looking around for a
platform to run on. And when you look
him in the eye and hear him talk you
instinctively say to yourself: ''Well
old man, you mean what you say
whether you reach the governors chair
or not"
Mr. Case disclaims the title of Col
onel" saying that he is no longer a mem
Der of the National Guard. He says he
is unalterably opposed to any increase
in the National Guard and takes direct
issue with Bob Hodges hobby of "state
constabulary" He points to Pensyl-
vania's Mounted Co,sacks" as an eX-
ample of what a state constabulary"
means and asks the working people if
they want that kind OF military rule.
There may be men now before the
people better fitted for the highest eX-
ecutive office in this state than is Mr..
Case. We do not say there are not But
there will be no more unique campaign
waged in this state nor no office seeker
closer in touch with the voters, both in
dividually and in the mass. Whatever
the result we will have seen a style of
campaigning forty leagues removed from
the old method of political appeal