The Washington times., 1923-05-25
JOHN Bryan, Of
OHIO, UNIQUE
CITIZEN
ATHEIST WlIed Fine Property to
State, But It Is Refused-His
TOO Much Taft" Wire.
By o. N. POTTER,
His Former Confidential Secretary.
written Especially for international
News. Service.

Herewith is presented the first
isstGlLment of remarkable bSO-
graphical sketch of John Bryan,
of Ohio, probably one of the most
unique characters in the history OF
the State. The Information con-
tanned herein 9UGs conf identtGLLy
and Exclusively giVem By Mr..
B7-NG1E to the 1U1'iter 1Uhite the lat
ter seTVed as has confidential sec
rotary. The i1tstGlInsemts are d.
Vided into sections as a serial, no
attempt being made to Gpp0TttO1s
the chapters according to the
thread of the 1urrGtiUe.
AKRON, Ohio, May 25.-A long
drawn out discussion as to whether
the state Of Ohio would violate the
Constitution Of the United States in
accepting the free gift Of an ex-
tensive and valuable private estate,
because there was attached to the
gift the proviso that the ground
should never be used for any relig.
ious purpose, has served to intro.
duce gaping breach between the
State legislature and the governor
and to focus the public attention on
the deceased donor in such fashion
as to reveal him as one of the most
unique characters in the history OF
the State.
The strangest and most remark
able man Ohio ever produced was
John Bryan-or, as he called him.
self, John Bryan, Of Ohio.
Idealist, poet, philosopher, fabu-
list, lover Of nature, yet a highly
successful and practical business
man of diversified talents, q CAPT
talist, millionaire farmer and d
real diplomat in politics.
AS his confidential secretary at
one time, 1 was enabled to study
him intimately, and he unfolded to
me many phases of his life which
are unknown to even his relatives
and most intimate friends. He was
truly one Of the most remarkable
men Of the last half century,
Was Professed Atheist.
John Bryan was a professed
atheist; but among other of his
philanthropic deeds, he sent thirty
men and women through college.
Unknown until his death three
years ago, except to a select circle
of intimate friends, which included
some of the greatest writer's and
scholars and philosophers and men.
Of science of the past thirty years,
John Bryan has already become
famous.
The State of Ohio turned down
several times. the gift Of Bryan's
million dollar Riverside Farm and
Park, in Greene county, near the
village of Yellow Springs.
Bryan's win provided that his
estate be dedicated to the State of
Ohio as a State park and game
preserve, but 1t must never be used
for ANY religious public worship"
A few days ago Governor Dona-
hey vetoed the bill Of State Repre-
sentative Calvert. of Clark county,
which would have authorized &C.
ceptance- OF the estate. The COVER
nor declared that the. acceptance
would be contrary to the constitu-
tional provisions Of both the nation
and the State, whereby guarantees
of religious freedom are given.
But the legislature now has over.
ridden the veto. and the State Su-
preme Court may be asked to rule
on it's constitutionality.
Powerful in Politics
Twice before the big million
dollar estate was offered, through
the administrators, to the State of
Ohio. Both times the gift was
turned down.
V,Bo
are known to only a very few men
the newspapers in his political
fights.
Although a Republican by politi.
cal faith. he never made a fight
on any one party. He always sin
gled out individuals for personal
combat.
John Bryan welded a powerful
political influence which he seldom
used. Very few men have felt the
effect of this influence, but those
who did feel it knew there was
force behind it. In politics John
Bryan always played a lone hand.
His outstanding political achieve
ment was the comprising Of the
defeat of Charles Taft as a candi-
date for the senatorship, for which
Bryan claimed to be responsible.
Shortly after William Howard Taft
was elected President a move was
started in Ohio to secure q Senate
seat for his brother, Charles Taft.
John Bryan assigned men to send
a telegram to each member Of the
Ohio General Assembly. These tele.
grams arrived simultaneously while
the legislators were in session. All
the kilograms were opened at once.
All the legislators laughed uproar-
iously in unison.
Each telegram contained three
words: TOO MUCH TAFT"
Charles Taft lost the senatorship.
MOLASSES SHIP BEATS
cIHAn DALI