Cleveland Traction Wars

[1][2][3] This was one of many issues on which Mayor Johnson, a Democrat and a proponent of municipal ownership,[1][3] and Senator Mark Hanna, a Republican, came into conflict.

[4][5] One of his campaign slogans had pertained to the operation of streetcars, proclaiming to champion, "three cent fares and universal transfers".

[6] Although Johnson was blocked by state law from creating a municipal system, he arranged for the creation of a holding company to run city streetcars.

[6] After the 1903 merger of the city's two streetcar companies (one being owned by Mark Hanna), Johnson's determination for municipal ownership strengthened.

Dissatisfied voters voted against a referendum to pass an ordinance that would have provided city backing to the bonds of the municipal traction company.