Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-22
Preferring Home-Like At
moSphere, the Californian
Takes Wife Along on Near
Iy All His Trips
BY A. III. FREDERICK

L Il
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. ia big
easy chair, a comfortable smoking
jacket. plenty Of cigars and a good
book.
These are the ingredients Of an
ideal evening in the life of Hiram
Johnson,
For the former governor of Cali
fornia, present United States sena-
tor, fiery opponent Of the League Of
Nations and right now progressive"
candidate TO rthe Republican presl-
Dental nomination, is essentially a
'home" man.
He loves his books. He enjoys his
neighborly calls from friends. But
social life bores him.
Mrs. Johnson nearly always &C.
companies him when he travels. To-
gether, they create a honey atmos-
phere in any hotel, or aboard any
sleeping car.
The senator likes nothing better
than a good game of dominoes. He
can spend a whole evening complete
ly absorbed in its intricacies. AL
ways, he carries a pocket set with
him.
The movies run a close second in
his affections. He knows a lot of the
stars personally, their histories and
their past careers. His predictions
of success for embryonic celIuloid
celebrities, when little past the 'e&-
ira" stage, have been unusually
adept.
And baseball! Well, "Hi' used TO
be quite a sandlot pitcher in his
youth. So he still retains his old
love for Americas national pastime.
He takes in a game whenever he
gets a chance.
Doesn't Play Golf
Johnson likes swimming, too. Fact
is, it's in the tank he gets most of
his physical recreation.
Hunting also brings him keen en-
joyment. And he is no mean shot,
either.
But golf! Never! That's one
bad habit the senator hasn't ac-
CURED
He is a fairly early riser-the ex.
act hour depending upon the amount
of rest he feels in need of to kee@
him fit for a strenuous day-and
late work.
With q lack of regard for money
amounting almost to contempt, he
has not sought ostentation either in
home or position.
Immediately following the earth
quake of 1906, he purchased q
stately residence overlooking San
Francisco bay. From it. there is an
excellent view. not only of the bay
but also of the jagged hills beyond.
That house still is Johhson's
home. 1t lacks nothing to make it
comfortable. Unobtrusive dignity is
the keynote of it's furnishings. Moth
ing chose for its apparent cost or
ornate display, but everything for
atmosphere
His back yard is one of the sena-
tors faVorite retreats. Here, unan-
noyed by noises of the street-for
the house stands high above the
street level-he can read or meditate
undlsturbsd, pausing now and then
IN deep revery as his eyes sweep
over the magnificent panorama of
his dearly beloved California.
Recited for Grant
"Hi' johnson is democratic. Never
for a moment has he forgotten his
lntlmates of earlier years.
The customary early prediction of
future greatness, accompanying all
presidential candidates in boyhood.
came, in Johnsons case, from Mrs.
N. E. White. She was Hiram's
teacher in the Mary J. Watson school
| in Sacramento.
General Ulysses S. Grant, not vet
president, was visiting Hiram's class
room. Mrs. Watson called on young
Johnson for recitation. And "Sher-
| ldan's Ride" was the one he gave.
Grant was visibly pleased by Hi
rams fire, earnestness and enthu-
siasm. He publicly commended him.
Some day he will walk in your
shoes, general" prophesied Mrs.
! White.
And who knows but what that
prophecy will be fulfilled.
| Naturally the best insight into
Johnsons boyhood can be gained
from his father, Hon. Grove L. John
son, who, at 50, 80 80. - s.u.-vs III UaI-
ifornia politics.
You can't make a hero out of
Hiram as a boy" he declares. But
1 think the greatest compliment that
can be paid him is that he was
good and clean. He never gave his
parents any trouble. But he was a
regular boy, for all of that"
! fOIIOWlnS the CdlIlOpe always was
strangely fascinating to the boy Hi
ram. And even today, he still "gets
a kick out of a circus parade.
The senator possesses a highly de-
veloped sense of numor. He isn't
above playing a harmless prank on
some friend. Nor is he angered if he
is the victim.
AS a young attorney, Johnson took
the stump in behalf of the senatorial
candidacy of his father. His trave
cling companion was E. c. Hart, now
presiding justice of the Third district
lappellaet court of California.
Johnson, like virtually all other
campaigners, delivered practically
the same speech in each of the towing
they visited.
One night, after a particularly
stren11n11s uealS Hart attern MED To