The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-01
The Merger Troubles On the. Rail-
way Mans Nerves.--He Applies
to Hanna With Suggestions.


From The Journal Bureau, Room, 40, Posi-
Building, Washington.
Washington, May flames J. Hill fears
that the direct result of the merger agita-
ton will be drastic railway legislation in
the merger states from Minnesota west co
Washingt on and Oregon. Washington has
already set the pace. Dispatches from
Tacoma yesterday make it clear that the
state inistration, which is republican,
Governor Mcbride leading, is lined up
against the merger and will make it
leading issue. Candidates for the legis-
lature and for state Offices will be named
only after their acceptance Of platform
declaring against railway consolidation,
and pledge to prevent it, if possible. In
Washington lower freight rates and a
railway commission will be demanded.
Mr.. Hill is afraid that Washingt on's
example, notice. of which came to him
some time ago, will be followed in other
merger states with the result that next
winter the Northern Securities company
will have to fase unfriendly legisl- lures
/ half a dozen states, where, hitherto, the
railways have had matters pretty much
their own way.
+ Mr.. Hill S worry is timely, and naturally
he comes straight to the capital city in
his effort to secure relief. In Washington
he had two long conferences with Senate or
! Hanna, chairman Of the republican ma.
tional commit ee, between Monday morn
ing and Tuesday night, in the meantim
interviewing leading senators from Min
: neseta, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho
: Oregon and Washington. He did not care
to call at the White House. because of re.
cent attacks on President Roosevelt, al
whose door he is trying to lay the blame
for much of the unrest which the merger
has started So he called to see Senator
Hanna. The situation was outlined fully
to him. Mr.. Hill called attention to tn.
help he gave the republican party in 1885,
and again in 1900, on account of the none,
issue. He said that the time had nov
: come for the party to repay that kindness
HIPS Appeal to Hanna.
+ What do you want?" Hanna is repre-
sented as having asked.
I. u want this government prosecution
stop, if possible" he replied, adding, I'll
, in order to stop 1t the Northern Securi
,, ties company must alter its scheme o
procedure, that will be done. But, at an
cost, there must be halt
8 Mr.. Hill then, it is understood, proceed
cd to state that the financial int erests
which contributed SO heavily toward tn
republican campaign funds in 1896 an
2 again in 1900, would think twice befor
:: contributing again unless the presiden
consented to meet them half way in al
effort to restore peace and harmony. Thi
talk meant much to Hanna for it is b.
who collected these funds from the s'finan
cial interests for the two elections O
Mckinley. The case was talked up on
! side and down another and it is said tina
a good deal which Mr.. Hill said found NOR
or less favor in Mr.. Hanna's eyes
| The President Called In.
! At any rate Mr. Hanna determined :
: approach the president about it; and ac
cordingly yesterday morning at S O'Clock
: the president and Postmaster Genera
Payne, the latter vice chairman of til
republican national committee and Nj
Roosevelt's political manager, went t.
Hanna's home on LAFAYETTE square TO
breakfast, remaining until $50. IT i
said that Mr.. Hills argument and cover
threat that the financial interests
would solidly unite against Roosevelt
nomination in 1904. were laid before lib
president and Mr.. Payne as a politica
matter and their opinions asked.
What the president and Mr.. Payne re
piled is not known. II is enough for tn
present to know that Mr.. Hill is worried
realizing that he has millions and repu
tation as fnancier at stake An on
slaught in half a dozen legislatures mex
/ winter, added to the terrors Of pendin
+ litigation would come near putting N,
Hill and the Northern Securities compan
> out of running order.
!. Interstate Commerce Laws.
( Mr.. Hill is said to have told Senate
+ Hanna, in connection with the matter
! above referred to, that no legislatio
9 must be enacted charging the powers {
= the interstate commerce commission
: thus providing another club with which
as he: puts it, to strike railway corpora
lions over the head. 1t is understoo