Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-31
WILSON IS A FRIEND
OF WORKING CLASSES,
SAYS BIG SHOE MAN
George F. Johnson, of Bing-
hamtonr N. w. Greatest
Shoe Manufacturer Tells
Why He's Strong for Wilson


BINGHAMTON, ~. Y. Oct 2S.-'T
can easily understand how men who
have always had the best things in life.
the easy way. the soft places. the priv
ileges and the favors that inherited
money and special laws can give. would
soss fer BSsA= Ia is their natural
candidate and their logical choice.
But how the working people. who have
always had the worst OF II. could bring
themselves to vote for Hughes is be-
yond my comprehension. lie should not
have the vote Of a single workingman
in the entire country. Woodrow VIII
son should get the ballot OF every work
er In the land"
The man who told me this very earn
estly and very seriously in Binghamton
was no politician. nor was he an agita
Tor. He happened to be George F.
Johnson. partner in Endicott. Johnson
a Co. the biggest manufacturers Of
shoes in the world. They employ 12,0O1
people. Two little cities. Endicott and
Johnson City. just outside Of Bingham
ton. have been named after the partners.
And here their army OF contented work
ing people live
johnson started as a workman in ore
Of the factories he now owns. He got
20 the top by application and GENUS
for large affairs. But money hasn't
spoiled him
HE Is INDEPENDENT.
Ask the policeman at the depot and
ne begins TO enumerate the many pri-
v1ts. hidden philanthropies OF the man.
The cop was inclined TO believe this
city. always Republican. might go for
Wilson because OF Johnson's support of
the president johnson is independent
in politics
One OF my impeHing motives in COM
ing out for the president" said John
son. was that he was the only presi-
dent I have studied who has grasped
the idea that a human being is more to
BE considered than a dollar or a ma
chine
Il hold fast to the idea that human
rights are greater than property rights.
In woodrow Wilson human rights have
had the kind of ardent champion that
have never before seen in high
places"
Wilson has fostered and pushed laws
that give the average man a chance TO
rise in the world That is true DEM
ocracy with a small "a Only by help
ing the average man. instead OF the
wealthy classes. do we make for a
greater republic Wilson's attitude to-
ward public questions, anu especially TO
be a very hopeful sign. not only for
this country. but for the world
WILSON CAME IN TIME.
Il Ike the way he has handled our
foreign policies. have said IL very
reverentiy that Wilson must have been
raised OF God to carry this country
through a great crisis. He seemed de-
stined TO serve the people AT n time when
their best interests needed just that
kind OF service
IT look at our factories. all busy. and
az the hundreds and thousands OF young
men all at work. strong and well and
supporting wives. mothers and sisters
That Is Wilson peace and prosperity.
And then I think what might be-
factories closed. machines rusting.
young men killed and MANNED and
blinded. widows and orphans here in
this busy city. and all over the land.
Md I thank God for the way in which
Wilson handled both the German and
Mexican situation.
And. finally. like the way he han
died the railroad strike situation. He
faced the matter intelligently and did
we'll He could not have averted that
Industrial crisis in any other way.
NY partner. II. b. EnjicOtt. and my
self. not only endorse what Wilson said
about the eight-hour day. but have tried
20 prove our faith by our works. We
have Just announced that beginning No
vember ] all our employees viii share
Wilson prosperity by having the eight
hour day with ten hours pay This will
in no way affect the wages OF piece
workers. who will receive a scale that
viii enable them to continue at the
prices they now receive"
As a fOOtnote 10 the above It may
De mentioned that a committee of $50.
representing the employees. printed ?
full page card In the RinghamtOn papers
testifying publicly TO the many kind
nesses the firm had extended to them.
stating this was the reason there had
never been a ripple of labor disturbance
ir7 "the big family and thanking En-
dicott and Johnson for the voluntarily
aranted eight-hour day and increased
ray. The "sd'' Is almost unique in the
history OF industrial concerns