The 3-Cent Fare Scandal: Tom Johnson’s Downfall

April 13, 1911 – In a shocking turn of events, Tom Johnson, the former mayor of Cleveland, has succumbed to a long illness at the age of 57. But his death marks the end of a tumultuous career marred by controversy and financial disputes. Johnson’s crowning achievement – reducing street railway fares to just 3 cents – was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it made him a champion of the working class. On the other, it ignited a fierce battle with the Cleveland company, which Johnson ultimately outmaneuvered with his thorough knowledge of street railway management and a rival company of his own.