The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-31
Talk With the President
Was a Surprise.
NOTED RAILROAD ATTORNEY
Friends of Administration Fear His
Promises Win Harm Roosevelt
Cause in Northwest


Burlington and Quincy Railroad Mir.
Blythe is an ardent Republican and n
power in a certain section of the West,
more especially in Iowa and Nebraska.
His road dictates. TO a large extent. leg
isla tion in these States. and has great
influence Ia Republican politics. 1t is
allied with the Northern securities Com
pany.
AR Blythe is so strong In his Repub-
lican views that he is the recognized
leader of the stand pat" contingent in
the Hawkeyc State. and headed the
forces OF this wing OF the party against
Governor cummins The governor. OF
course. won. but that Fact docs not APP
pear to have Neakt ned the influence or
affected the standing of Mr. Blythe.
Until two or three months ago Nj.
Blythe was reputed to be opposed TO the
nomination of Roosevelt and. in point
OF fact. he does not deny that up TO
that tine he believed it would be I'M
wise to nominate hirl.a Iic is said to
have looked with great kyor upon Sen
ato- Hanna, and to he been ready
and anxious 10 have given him his sup
port which means something. in case
Hanna should announce himself as a
candidate Now a change of heart
seems 70 have come over the Iowa
railroad man, and since ne has been
here he has made the announcement
that he favors the nomination OF Roose-
Welt. and win aid in bringing il about.
rs well as his election Mr. Blythe has
had a long talk with the President. ano
does not deny that he has given him
the assurance OF his support
Surprise to Roosevelt.
Elr. BIythe's. declaration of loyalty to
the President came as surprise to the
friends of Mr. Roosevelt as well to
THAR gentleman himself, and not alto
gether as an unmixed blessing. in their
opinion. for Mr.. Blythe is saic TO have
gone further than to have promised the
President his support. He is alleged
TO have informed the President that the
RAILROAD combine is not against him be-
cause of his attitude in prosecuting the
Northern Securities Company. as the
friends OF the President were not un.
happy to believe il was
Administration Republicans have been
laborfng under the impression that the
railroads and more particularly those in
the great Northwestern combine were
opposing the President. and that this
fact wound rEdeund TO his benefit by
bringing TO his support the farmers. the
shippers, and small business men OF the
West, They are not entirely pleased TO
know. therefore. that the railroads in
stead Of being against him are. at least.
not opposedjto him. They fear that If !:
becomes apparent that the railroads arc
for him. the farmers and business
men will not be, and so they are lit
tie uncertain as TO just what effect this
assurance OF Mr.. Blythe win have.
- Doubtful of the Issue. 20
Some think that Mr.. Blythe simply
told the President this 10 make him
feel good. but instead it surprised the
President. and he is undecided as to
whether he should rejoice or pa wary OF
the support OF the roads Ii has been
fact nor concealed that the President
and those within the inner circle OF his
Administration expected TO encounter
the strong opposition OF all the roads
in the combine. and were not only pre-
pairing TO make capital out OF 1t. but to
meet and counterfeit whatever effect II
might have had. and had figured that
the, result would be advantageous to the
Presidents side of the account.
Now comes man whose road is al
lied with the Northern Securities, who
informs the President in a heart to heart
conversation that ne need not fear the
President had counted upon profiting out
of the opposition rather than upon as
sistance in the form OF support OF the
roads. In short the President friends
are rot quite determined what TO make
out OF it,
There are other matters which Il is
said may have been talked over by the
President and Mr.. Blythe while the lat
ter was at the White House. One Of
these is the Senatorial situation In Ne
braska The Legislature elected this
fall Will select a successor 10 Senator
Dietrich. There is a blight upon the
record OF the latter and IL will be
difficult for him TO return, even though
he may seek vindicatiOn through a re-
election. Representative Burkett is also
q candidate and there are others but
none so formidable as the Hon. David -
Thompson. United States minister TO
Brazil.
Mr.. Thompson's Ambition.
Mr. Thompson Is a Chicago. Buriing-
ton and Quincy Railroad man. and ii
IN quite natural that his candidacy
should be favored. even advocated. by
Mr. Blythe. and that the matter should
be talked over with the President Mr..
Thompson was a candidate before the
Legislature which elected Senator
Dietrich and Senator Millard as COM
promise candidates. He led the fight
until the last. when Editor ROsewafer.
seeing his own chances going, turned the
card which prevented Nebraska from
being represented In the Senate by two
vacant seats
Mr. Thompson has returned from his
post IT. Brazil. and Is preparing again
70 enter the fight. for ne sim has SEN
atorlal ambitions. What effect Mr.
Blythe,s visit 20 Washington and his
conference with the President may have
upon Mr. Thompson's candidacy IS one
OF the matters OF speculation
Another matter which, il Is suggested.
may have been talked over Is that OF
the judgeship IN the northern district
OF Iowa Mr.. Blythe's road does NOT
enter that district. but he neverthe-
less has more than a passing interest
IN the selection of a successor to Judge
ehlras. II IL particularly So because I
Mr.. Blythe Is a political opponent Of !
Senator Delivers candidate State
Senator Healy. Hcaly is en- active par |
tisan OF Governor Cummins and Blythe |
is an opponent OF the governor Hence 1
whatever he may have advised IL lis /
safe to say that ne did not advise the
appointment OF Senator Healy 10 the |
bench.
Politicians knowing all OF these cir
opmstances and conditions are some /
what puzzled over the visit OF Mr. /
Blythe and IL is affording them oppor- /
funity for great deal OF gossip and 1