Evening star., 1945-08-06
Johnson
Continued From First Page)

Senator johnson a liberal, although
he still liked him personally.
Just the same old purge, the
same old sham expressions of re-
gard and affection, the same old
stiletto," Senator johnson shot back
He and the President had broken
sharply in 1899, following the out
break of the European war, over
amendment of the arms embargo
act to permit cash and carry
sale of American weapons to Great
Britain and France.
Charging that administration
policy was designed to force Amer
lea into the war, Senator johnson
declared that Adolf Hitler never
would conquer Europe. and that
even If he did he would not attack
the United States.
Health Reduced Attack.
Because of Senator Johnson's i'll
health, the booming voice which had
attacked Woodrow Wilson's plan to
bring the United States into the
League of Nations in 1919, hardly
was heard in the lukewarm debate
over American ratification of the
United Nations Charter.
Still true to his principles how
ever, the Californian cast the sole
vote in the Foreign Relations Com
mittee against submitting the San
Francisco Charter to the Senate ia
vorably and without change.
The last classic statement of his
America First" philosophy recalled
by Senator Johnson's colleagues to-
day was made in the Senate in Oc-
tober, 1943, when the Connally res
olution approving American en-
trance into an international peace
organization was before that body.
Speech Recalled Earlier Battle.
Il have naught to say in this
great moment which deals with the
country which I love-" he began in
voice. even then moderated by
age, "and which has been mine ever
since I was born. In those n years
/ have known no allegiance but to
the United States of America. God
save the United States of America.
''' I exhort my colleagues and my
fellow countrymen that we all be
just Americans"
To some of the Senate veterans,
the speech recalled the words with
which the Californian ended his
long battle against the League of
Nations in 1919:
Behind this question stands the
national position, the national dig
nifty, the national prestige, aye, the
national honor of the United States.
L appeal today to those men
who have held aloft the standard of
America, the old Stars and Stripes,
Americas prestige, Americas honor,
Americas position, to stand firm
and valiant for America"
Admitted to Bar in 1888.
Senator johnson was born Sep
tember 2, 1866, at Sacramento, Calf.
He studied law in his fathers office
and was admitted to the California,
bar in 1888. In 1902 he moved to
San Francisco and soon became
known as an active young attorney
an implacable foe Of predatory in
terests and thorough liberal.
He first attracted national at
tention as a member of the staff of
the prosecuting attorney, Francis
j. Heney, who unearthed bribery
and corruption among California
ofi1cials and corporations. After Mr..
Heney was shot down in court while
prosecuting Abe Ruief for bribery
Mr.. johnson was selected to take
his place.
His vigorous prosecution of cor
rupt public utility companies and
other corporations in California,
during the American "age OF muck
raking," led to his election as Gov
ernor for the 19l1-15 term and he
again was chosen for the l915-I9
term.
Principal in Historic Incident.
In 1916, Gov. johnson was q prin-
cipal In an incident long remem-4
bered in American political history,
and one which generally is credited
With the defeat of Charles Evans
Hughes as the Republican presiden-
tial candidate in 1916.
When Justice Hughes was cam
paigning in California, he neglected
to call on Gov, johnson, probably
because the latter had bolted the
party In 1912. The Governors many
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