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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1906)
p j w- 1L The Commoner. SEPTEMBER 7, 1901 15 Tom Johnson's Great Fight In view of recent events at Cleve1 land, Ohio, the Denver News gives a brief history of that city's long strug gle for freedom from: corpdrato rule. The News says: "Of tills fight Mayor Tom Johnson has been the heart and soul. It has been a -fight conducted against the heaviest of odds. The laws of Ohio do not permit a city to own its street car sysem, so Johnson's hands "vyero tied in this matter from the first. All the strength of grafting officials arid boodling corporations was thrown against reform, as a matter of course. And in spite of all Johnson and Cleve land have won out "In his first campaign for mayor, 1901, Mr. Johnson made three-cent fares the Issue, and from the begin ning of his first administration he has steadily endeavored, against great pressure from the companies and great opposition from the local republican 'machine,' to secure this result Sometimes the city council was against him, often it was equally divided, and but seldom during the worst of the fight did he have a re liable majority; while the courts were prolific of injunctions, and the legislature and the state government stood like a stone wall against him, and even went' so far aggressively as to revolutionize the city government in order to baffle hito. "To promote his three-cent fare pol icy, he secured the organization of a new traction company, the Forest City, for which he obtained three cent fare franchises with a view to their being turned over to the city as soon as a municipal ownership law could be obtained. This company be gan work, but was soon stopped by injunctions, the last of which has but recently .been removed. After, a long and baffling fight, Mayor Johnson pro posed to the monopoly company a year ago the settlement of the whole question by means 6f the organiza tion of a Holding company. It was his Idea that the holding' company should take over the entire street railway Interests of the city as leasee at a fair rental; that it should be ab solutely controlled by five of the most reliable and competent citizens of Cleveland, on salaries, and not for profit; that it should manage the property In the Interest of the city and virtually as a self-perpetuating city bureau; and as security to the present private interests, that a 20 year franchise should be granted which would revert to them , if the holding' company did not perform its obligations under the lease. But the monopoly company would not agree to the, financial terms which Mayor Johnson proposed namely, a valua tion of 85 per cent of the par value of their stock. This amount would have given them about three times as much for their plants and unexpired franchises as it would have cost to rebuild the system in first class con dition; but they refused, and there upon Mayor Johnson turned to the ,plan which is now about complete 'and in actual operation. "He organized a 'holding' company the Municipal Railway company. The organization was completed on the second by the installa tion of A. B. Du Pont as president and director; Charles W. Stage, Fred eric C. Howe, Edward Wiebenson, and William Greif as the other directors; and W. B. Colver as secretary. The directors are a self-perpetuating body, who are paid, salaries, and neither they nor their company are to profit otherwise; and their books are to be always open to the public and they are to make all their transactions pub lic. The 'holding company Is to own no property whatever; it has become the lesqe of the Forest j.Clty company the three-cent fare le and is by virtue of its lease to operate all franchises that have been or hereafter may bo granted to the Forest City company. The capital for construction jis raised by the Forest City company by the sale of its stock at 90 cents on the dollar, and deposit ed in trust for the use in construction of the 'holding' company. The 'hold ing company agrees to construct and operate, to pay 6 per cent on the cap ital, to pay off the capital at 10 per cent above par, and to devote the entiro surplus to extensions and Im provements. The stock of the Forest City com pany was offered for sale in Cleve land. The big financial interests held off in the hope of embarrassing the fighting mayor. They merely wasted, their opportunity for a good invest ment. One of the Cleveland papers not merely recommended the stock but guaranteed it, and the small in vestor took all there was offered. Mayor Johnson makes the follow ing formal statement regarding the enterprise: "'Inasmuch as I am associated, in the public mind, with the enterprises herein set forth, I deem It fitting that I make a full statement of my posi tion. I am not now and never have been financially interested in the For est City Railway company. I have, however, in the discharge of my pledges to the people of Cleveland, aided in every way In my power the efforts to construct and operate a system of low fare railroads In this city. I have in the past a number of times when requested become liable as surety on bonds and guaranteed the payment of obligations of the Forest City Railway company, but the net result is that while I have in the past stood to lose if the enterprise failed, I never have and never will reap any financial benefit from its success. " 'I believe that it will succeed and that the people who ride on street cars will benefit from reduced fares and that those who Invest money In the low fare road will reap fair divi dends and profits from the venture. To my mind this is not a philan thropic enterprise, but rather a plain and sdund business proposition. I believe that publicity and the high personal integrity of the directors of the Municipal Traction company will guarantee the carrying out of the plans set forth in absolute fairness to the public and to the stockholders of the Fore3t City Railway company. " 'Secrecy and overcapitalization are two cardinal vices of the modern public service corporation. Neither of these can have any place in this plan. . "'With the utmost regard for all the rights of existing companies, I shall do all In my power to further the Biiccess of the Forest City Rail way company and the Municipal Traction company, but my interest shall not be of a pecuniary nature. In lending such aid and encourage ment I feel that I shall be doing no more than I have promised the peo ple of Cleveland. " 'For five years a struggle has been waged in Cleveland to secure reasonable fares. In all that time I have, as mayor and as a citizen, waged no unfair waron any private interest This enterprise shall have my hearty support and I confidential ly invite the support of the public, both as citizens and as investors. The grants to the Forest City Rail way company will establish street railroad facilities where they are very much neededr and will, on a capitali zation of $50,000 a mile, in my judg ment, produce a net revenue of more than 14 per cent on the actual capi tal invested. The Cleveland Electric is earning about $150,000 a mile. This would mean, if capitalized at actual cost, between 20 per cent and 24 per cent, so that the estimate of 14 per cent net earnings Is conservative. "The city of Cleveland has made the greatest growth in its history in the last six or eight year, and dur ing all that time the building of street railroad tracks has been almost at a standstill. Extensions equaling one third of tlie present system aro now greatly needed. The lowering of the fare will greatly stimulate traffic, and mako more tracks and equipment necessary. When asking for grants for extensions, both in new territory and for grants on streets where fran chises have or will expire, the Forest City Railway company Is likely to re ceive at the hands of the city favor able consideration riot only because tho fare is lower, but because all earn ings above the' fixed nnvmnnt. fn thn investors are to accrue indirectly to the benefit of the city. "'The city should provide in all grants to that company proper safe guards, but can affdrd to be much more liberal in making grants under these circumstances than whore there Is no limitation of filture, profits. This plan really secures to the people of Cleveland better service and lower fare and the bondflt of all future growth in franchise values and econo mies in the operation of street rail ways. OOOOOOOOCXXXXXXXXXXXXXDOOOO ASSETS OF $1,327,179.94 It the Statement of THE OLD LINE BANKERS LIFE of Lincoln. Ho Bonds, no Stock, no Wall St.Bccarltlcn Agents Wanted O0OOO0C)OCXXXXXXXXX0OOC)00OO ROVHD TRIP RATES "Fellew Thu Fle" i n CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY Oliver Herford once entered a doubtful looking restaurant in a small Now York town and ordered a lamb chop. After a long delay tho waiter returned, bearing a plate on which reposed a dab of mashed potatoes and a much overdone chop of microscopic proportions, with a remarkably long and slender rib attached. This the waiter set down before him and then hurried away. "See here," called Herford, "I or dered a chop." "Yessir," replied the man, "thero it is." , "Ah, so it is," replied Herford, peering at it closely. "I thought it was a crack In the plate." Human Life. Canadian Points, Dully during Boptembnr, Onn fare plus 12.00, Now JCnKlandPolntH,Hopt.6ll nnd IVth, Ono faro )lu I2.L0. AH Hunmior Honoris, Dally during Hop torn ber. Greatly reduced, Uoincecokor Points, First and Third Tuesdays Hopt. and Oct., Ono jftire plus $2.00, souic points Jobs. Mexico City. HopU 3rd toll Inc., 151.26. MomphlH, Tumi., Bopt. 9th to 12th Inc. f 1D.G0. Toronto, Ont,, Hopt. J2th to loth Inc.. 126.40. Chuttanoo, Tonn., Hopt. 15th to 17th Inc., 12400 Atlanta, Uit, Oct, Pth itndfllli., $82.10. HtitTulo.N. Y.. Oct. lUth to 12th Inc., S2&76. Now Orlcanb,La.,Oct. 10th.,f 22.60. For stop overs, extensions of limit, and all other Information call at WnlianhClty Ticket Ofllca, ICO Farnam St.. or addrom UAllUY K. A QOHK8, 0. A. P. I). Wuuanhll. 11. Omaha. Nobrafcka. AS20 Watch for $5.45 OVERDONE Visitor- You seem to have a hat cleaning establishment In every block in this town. What's the use of that? Resident No use at all. Frequent ly you can walk two blocks before you need to have your hat cleaned again. Chicago Tribune. Tbee f fnrM toll exactly whet w ere doing -eellfnr; a 30.00 Weh for 4S.45. W don't claim Uiat this J eiu.00 wsklt or 150.00 watch, bat It is afaO.OO WHtch. A leading wech manufacturer, being lis, il r esed tor ready cash, rtrontfr M us lOOjDOO watches waichee actually built to retail at W.. Ttiore U no doubt tint wacxld wholesale them to dealers for 1X00 or $13.00, but Ui w -rfild. Involve a great amoiint of labor, time and expense. In the end our profit mould, be Mile mora than It It t selling tbe watch direct to the consigner at tS 41. The BrtMrton Watch, which we.offer at $li.'I6 l an Im. It 1 Jeweled, finely balanced and prfctljr adjusted movement. 11 haa specially selected Jewels, dtul band, patent regulator, enamelrd dial, Jeweled compensation balance, double bunt ing; cane, genuine Bold-laid and handsomely engraved, rach watch ft thoroughly timed, tet4 and rrtnleted, before leaving the factory and both the case and movement are a;r- Clip out this advertisement and mall Jt tons tc-day with yoet name, jtostofflee address and nearest express office, Tell os whether yoa want a lady's or pent' watch nnd we will send the wstch to your ex prets office nt once If it Ballade you, after careful examination, pay the express agent 5,i5 and express ebarges and tbe watch Is yours, but It it doesn't please yea rstara It to tie at our expense. .... A X&'Ycar il tiaranteer will be placed In tho front case ot the watch wo'sertd yon and to tin, first !,000 customers we will send a beautiful cold-laid watch chain, Tree. Ho refer t tbe Kirst National llanlr of Clileaen, Cardial WM1.' ' NATIONAL OONM4LUATI WATCH . UcffUCH , CHICAGO $4M-5.ss5!55S 71laaBaaaaaaaaaB 20 YEABMteSjBBPj HDHB1 1UABAHTEE The Locomotive Special eeaadeBrftBkprjwU. Kels la emanate ike ftaotM 99 JevtUdvswbMOiMMli for KMX) t frioxo. On Mm thutamf setWMM4 UihImiu,, runiblbr;HnU,MMu4HU, Me Je1a tatsiwa fold Mtliaes l'l Itfiaotitt m dUI and rots. BUmp4 33 lvl4 tA)i. SEEING IS BELIEVING. Outtbisdsa4ttUjrlrs.yew uai.tiMi sace aa4einM aderets asd e vM m tae vsMfc iejta by exprtts ffrtsssnistl.yeax alallstyoartiirHeAessa4lfasrenea d hit iimir rtm nrtirnln nil ertntll Tfi nil inrtMilnimnil It ts Q r joufi. Ordir te-dsy as U.U adTrtl:uai will vtSxitj set amer aesta. T It. E. CM ALHEKB L C8., S6JI)su-btraSt.CUeiax. STEEL BaMairat121 "' :'Trrr.,.-0rHr FIRE vibbkv MHfnWATERAW &f Eft ROOFINO PER 100 gQUARE FECT iiiHQ :SlB'JB wiHIl Allil BBl -l;iHflI Ill iwM 93:1 m wl :iiiiiiH Moat economical anal dwraMo reMaeweriiw Mown. Eairy to tt aaj M tools but a liatcbet gr a hammer. With ontfnary oaro wllf otitlaat any other kte ThouBanda of satleflcd eoatomera ererywhere bave proTeita Mrtaea. Saltablo for covcrinir any bulldln?. Alo beat for celllnir and aMlnK lJ!fZTffi&, m ,i 1..11.. t,.n i.iiia Vilf -not taint mln-watr. Uakaa TOOT bdlldlBtr coolerin auramer and -wanner In winter. Absolutely perfect, braad new, ieUnted r4 twoj aidea. $1.80 ia oar wlce for onr Vo. IB trrade or. tu Bemi-uaroeMo L 3 Biainsr. eacn sneer. m lncuee vrtao sum a utcum iuu. u fw v '"'-.yrn"', llluafiitlon ; aheeta 23 Inctoea wldo xSl iaeuea loaa; S1.M. Ataoentii per aqnareaacuw UHtUank limnraiinni anawin vm iiHTiim hium .mm. litanies luaa; ani.eaw nswuDune av "a.- w -1 we will f urnifrU aheota and 8 feet long. Steel preaaed brick Bldlwr, per asar 2-' pinoi hlmi Tteauled flllnsf. r aawarst SSjOO. Can also f arntsh Btsradlog Beam or u" S23ES WE PAY THE FREIBHT TO ALL P0IMTS EAST OF COLORADO! crxuepv uxMLnoma, xexaa aaa maura iemKffj. viaovmianu wuuiBtwmwuu hii.. SSBSLafuSIaa uanaiead ar wmiii rtumdim. We Will Bead till rOOfiBZ tO T on arunrArine. ttile utyoHfuraant H. O. if. with nrlvllcro of examination If TOU will ttSUM : ' . - .. -"--- t ; -- . ; - - :. --J--: - - -r-.-.- . - - . - -.- l.S iaaaipereentof teieamowrtOE your oroerra earn j iMuaacetoriepaiasuieriBaterjai recsu jiur oiawun. u loot fonad a reproaeated. rrn do not bye to teke the ahlpment svnd we will cheerfully refund your depoait. UUfc fer Oetafe Ha. W- J. IxrsrearpVleea on Koo&ag, Kre Trooh, Wire, Pipe, rosclnK. Plumb-lnw Doors, BHowhoW 5oc3t d ereryxhue? seeded on the Farm or In the Uohuj. We buy our sroods at oarlll'a aii re- irer-eaevtae. emewao hobw wicmhb cjy.. m isv 'T'f vww awawwawMwww . .- -. 4 M 5 I 1 1 k A ' I i W i-t-r .'t ' ' i