RANCH-SIZE SENSE OF HISTORY
In 1964 Johnson won the most smashing victory in American electoral history as. the "peace" candidate running against the warmonger Goldwater, who openly advocated escalating American involvement in the civil war in Vietnan. In view of Johnson's suc-— cess at the polls, White House circles began inspiring talk in the press about the Texas politician turning out to be "one of the great presidents of the United States, if not the greatest." ;
Today Johnson! s popularity has plummeted so low that the Republicans are thinking in terms of beating the Democrats in 1968. The reason, of course, is Vietnam.
In the Democratic party, there is subversive talk about finding a new candidate -- just who is not certain, although Robert F. Kennedy is frequently mentioned. The operation isa difficult one in view of the vast resources at the disposal of the president. and the strong tendency to give the "people's. choice" eight years in the White House , a constitutional amendment now barring a longer term.
“However he ends up in. "ereatness" as an American president, Johnson does seem to have a good chance of making his mark as a real-estate operator.
For the past six years, he has been busy buying up land in his area. With five ranches, totaling more than 14,000. acres, he is now considered to be one of the biggest ranchowners in that part. of Texas.
Hand ‘where Mr. Johnson has bought, Texas has not been far behind with highway improvements," reports the December 26 New York Times. State officials aver, however, that "none" of the costly highway projects that indirectly increase the value of Johnson's holdings. is "the result of favoritism." One explanation is that wherever Johnson has gone, "there has been increase in automobile traffic. . ;
Thus Texas state officials, always alert to traffic needs, have been compelled to speed improvements. In the past two years alone,.almost $1,000,000 in highway improvements have benefited Johnson's land and that of his neighbors.
-Among the projects now on the drawing boards isa $725, 000 bridge that will open up. two subdivisions for more. profitable real-estate speculation at the rear of one of Johnson's ranches. Here 256 "ranchettes" have been laid out. Covering 242 acres, the. selling price is up to $8,000 each..
A touching demonstration of Texas neighborliness has peen the "voluntary" contributions .from anonymous . sources to buy the 244 acres in front of Johnson's ranch in order to convert this piece of land into the "LBJ State Park." With the land converted into a "park," it cannot be sold as sites for unsightly motels or restaurants overlooking the president's ranch.
At present, Johnson has leased part of the projected "park" and is grazing cows on it. .
While Johnson, has not announced such ‘plans as yet, “his friends say he has talked about eventually willing his ranch house to the government. as a Texas version of George Washington's Mount Vernon or Franklin D. - Roosevelt's Hyde Park. A friend said, "lyndon has. a great sense of history." .
So no matter how fickle public opinion may prove to be, Johnson has an excellent chance of ending up. as a gentleman farmer -- Texas size. In the meantime he can find relief from the cares of office, especially the ups and downs in- Vietnam, by playing the real-estate market. And when you play it right, the way Johnson does, it's mighty hard to lose.