The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-12-29

eret Of his method.
Johnsons entry into politics may be
sid TO have begun in the first gov
Ell aor's race in 1907.
Zee Cruce, squaring off the first
de nocrauc primary went into Lin
&C n couny picked Roy Hoffman. Jim
r. ,bertson and Bill Tilghman-over-
Il )king the quiet and unootrusive
h ad of the First National bank at
Chandler.
AS a result, johnson started his
II tie rubbeT-tred machine Haskell
received 500 majority over Crucs in
Lincoln county.
Post office applicants in 1907 went
to Johnsun's friends throughout Lin
coin county; Senator Gore distributed
this patronage; this was one of the
first indications Of the direction OF
the wind.
Haskell Dispieased johnson and Suf.
fered for 1t
Now Haskell. as governor, appoint
ed some Of Lee Cruces friends to
rather high position. and this is re-
ported to have displeased Johnson.
Does this not account for the fact
that Haskell was beaten by Owen
more than 1000 votes in the 1912
primary, even though nobody had an
idea that Hugh johnson was work1nsf
Robertson, present governor. lived
and learned in Lincoln county. He
very brashly stepped out for COVER
nor in the year 1914, before Al Jen-
nings got too good for politics. But
he neglected to take counsel with
Hugh johnson.
II is more easily believed that this
was really costly mistake to Rob
ertson; for durin gthis campaign
Johnson held the money bags for r.
L. Williams, and no one ever COM
planned that Williams campaign for
governor was lacking in the golden
grease.
No one ever accused Hugh johnson
of undue activity In soliciting funds,
either
1t was in this campaign that came
one of the dramatic incidents Of
Johnson's political life. The hard
riding AL Jennings drove into Chand-
Ter one night, parked his dray wagon
platform across the street from John.
sons bank, and spoke loud and point
cdly about Johnson.
Jennings publicly charged that
Johnson was putting up the money
for Bob Williams campaign on the
promise of Williams that Johnson
should receive special favors later on.
This, Of course, was one Of the less
pungent of Al Jennings charges in
those hectic days-not calculated to
stir hearts to white heat.
johnson Politely Suggests RetractiOn; !;
Gets 1t
Johnson heard Of the charges; a
friend of his who was present when
Johnson called ON Al Jennings after
the speech, tells that johnson po-
litely told Jennings the statement
was a slight deviation from the
truth and as politely asked the au-
thority for it.
When the doughty Al Jennings re-
marked his statement was based on a
remark Of u man. he also agreed to
announce in the same public place
| that he had no evidence to back It,
/ that ne was sorry TO have said such
a thing in absence Of proof, and
that he would not repeat the charge
without n sworn affidavit by his in.
/ forfnant
Robertsons memory served him
we'll on the second trial for governor.
| He didn't overlook Hugh johnson.
| Workers recall that the Robertson
craft was in rough seas well-nigh un.
manageable until Johnson appeared.
Pretty smooth sailing was noticed af-
! terward.
What seems strange in johnson
is that he plays the game for the
mere pleasure Of H. just as he en-
joys baseball" said a man close TO
the banker After 1t Is over, he
doesn't pursue the course Of the
usual politician.
NO one knows OF his having made
personal request OF Governor VIII
liams during the four years OF his
govtrnorship; and II he has been in
Robertson's office more than three
times since 1919, it is not known to
anyone.
However 1t is hard 10 conceive a
situation In which Governor Robert
son would have failed to call In O
counselor Of the wisdom OF Johnson
on such an important issue MS the
Inflated $50, 600. 900 road bond issue
And Johnson Loaned Governor
$4,000 For Trucks
Also, II was the First Nationa
bank which loaned Governor Robert
son $4,000 with which to get tn,
government trucks for the highway
department.
Since this loan was clearly per
sonal affair, with security the gov
ernors word that deficiency ap
preparation would be- allowed by th'
Legislature 10 pay the debt. Their
must have been word or two passed
between Robertson and Johnson.
II may be that this obvious ten
dency Of state departments 10 d.
their business with the First Nntiona
Gnnk here Is what Hugh johnson
) Silently enjoys" MS fruit OF his po
3 lltcal activities. But there's no def
mite reason in the world why Thu
thought should be harbored BY any
one.
Unless there In something tcrrifical
" secret about the state treasurer
office. any inquirer may learn TIM
all oklahoma's money is in activ
FUNDS. parcelcd out to banks all owe
the state. The First National and N
American National, Oklahoma City
are the two banks In which fund