The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-10-07


He ran for vice president of the
Unied States with Teddy Roosevelt
on the Bull Moose ticket. And
in younger days he waged inces-
SAINT warfare against the big utili-
ties of California.
Yet now, in what should be the
crowning years Of his life, Hiram
johnson remains uncrowned.
. Still respected, still feared, he
remains a great public figure, and
still battler. But his battles have
changed.
Near the close of the last con-
gressional session, the press ticker
carried the following report on the
Senate debate:
"a fiery battle broke over q
resolution to provide an addi-
tonal $4,000 to complete current
investigations by the LaFollette
Civil Liberties Committee into
the operations of Associated
Farmers, Inc, of California and
other organizations on the West
Coast. Senator johnson led the
attack on the LaFollette Com
mittee."
These two sentences measure
the Transformation Of Hiram. He
entered public life as a great
crusader against corrupt and ter
roristic elements. AS a young at
torney in California he took de-
light In attacking Just such Or
CARNATIONS as the Associated
Farmers. But now In the crown
ing years of his career he becomes
the defender of vigilantes and a
croaker against another young
crusader for waging the same kind
of campaign as he did.
To understand Hiram johnson
you have to know that he would
rather fight than do any other
thing under the sun. And to un-
derstand why he would rather
fight you have to diagnose Hiram's
background.
He Genes from family of fight
.ers. Early in life he and his
brother and their father, Grove l..
johnson, formed the law firm of
johnson, johnson and johnson
These three strong-willed men
pulled apart more often than they
pulled together.
Once a case was tried in Sacra-
mento in which Hiram's brother
represented one side and the
father the other side. But Grove
(the father did not show up when
the case was called and the judge
somewhat impatiently. called the
case second time. Does anyone
know who Is counsel for the es-
tate?"
Hiramfs brother rose and
said, Eyes, Your Honor. he Is a
man who has the poor grace to
be called Grove L. johnson"
Hiram opposed his father to
such an extent that they split wide
issue, Hiram leading a furious
popular uprising against the rail-
road, while his father was its
mainstay.
Eventually the law firm dis
banded after the father had
charged that the brothers were
getting all the money while he did
all the work; and after the broth
ers had charged that they were
doing all the work while he got
all the money.
When Hiram was elected to
the Senate, reporters went to the
old man for comment. He
dourly said, We'll, he Is my SON,
and blood Is thicker than
water"
FEARLESS FIGHTER
Hiram johnson. has unflinch-
ing courage, both physical and
moral. Nothing can darmt him.
In 1908. a lawyer named Francis
j. Heney was prosecuting Abe
Ruef for bribery. That was In
the still wild days Of California.
and someone pulled q gun and
shot Heney down in court.
Hiram was selected to take
Heney's place, which he did with
out hesitation. securing the con-
viction Of Ruef.
Today his fighting Is just as
fearless, just as determined. Moth"
ing daunts him. But 1t Is Q DIFF
ferent kind of fighting, more Bit
ter, more moroSe.
FAMILY TRAGEDY
Undoubtedly the change that has
come over Hiram johnson Is a
personal tragedy involving the
death Of his second son, Archie.
who was the apple Of his fathers
eye.