The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-18
RAILWAY PRESIDENTS C0NFAB
PROPOSED LEGISLATION on
RATES THEIR TOPIC.
T.. II. Harriman's Adverse Views Said 20
Have been neutrality-suspicious.
That Suggestions for Practicable Regu-
lation VIII Soon He Agreed On.

An important conference on the proposed
legislation affecting railroad rates was held
In this city yesterday. and in attend
ance at it were many OF the chief men
in the railroad world, including President
A. j. Cassatt Of the Pennsylvania system,
who came 10 this city from Philadelphia
accompanied by Vioe-President Rea OF the
Pennsylvania, President l.. +. johnson OF
the Norfolk and Western, and f. b Har-
riman, head of tho Union Professionalism
Pacific systems.
James j. Hill. president OF the Northern
Securities Company, did not attend the
general conference. but waa In conference
with Samuel Spencer, president OF the
Southern Railway, and late In the after
noon Mr.. johnson also visited Mr. Hill &C
the offices of the Northern Securities
Company.
Mr. Cassatt, who returned 10 Philadelphia
after the conferences late In the afternoon.
brought to his conferees the results OF his
recent discussion of rate legislation with
President Roosevelt, with whom he was
in conference at the White House last week
Mr.. Hartman has not visited Mr.. Roose-
welt in connection with rate legislation,
and II IL Wall Streets understanding that
he has been opposed TO any new legislation
bearing upon the conduct Of the railroads.
Mr. Hill, who has Just returned from
Washington after a visit there OF NUMBER
of days, in the course OF which he had
long talk with the President and with
various members Of Congress. lie known to
be opposed to any pooling arrangement,
while it il understood that Mr.. Cassatt.
with whom tho President has advised
freely during the rate question agitation.
favors Government supervision TO certain
degree, possibly in the form Of some pooling
arrangement
II was for the purpose OF bringing these
discordant views into some sort OF harmony
which should lead to united policy on the
part of the great railroads of the country
that Yesterdays formal conference, which
followed many informal ones, was held
Tho positions of the various railroad men
in attendance at tho conference we're SEQ
forth at come length, and while no statement
regarding tho fAal decision as 20 the possl-
bility Of united action could be obtained
from any Of those in attenaAnce az the con-
ference, it IL believed that ono result OF it
was modification of sir. Harriman's
views 70 such a degree that his influence
viii hereafter be thrown with that OF Mr..
cassatt in fu7thering such legislation as
may bs decided upon.
II Is expected that tho results OF yester-
days conference will soon be laid before
President Roosev welt. While there may be
further conferences before final decision
as TO the best policy. it Is bell eyed in high
financial circles that these conferences VIII
be very few in number and that decision
will be very quickly reached
1t was reported in Wall Street yesterday
that President Ripley of the Atchison(whioh
has been accused Of giving rebates to the
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, at whose
famous dinner TO the railroad presidents
the rate situation was first taken up for dis
cussion, would be in town to- day to attend
n meeting of the directors Of the Atchis son
which, according to the report, was to be
given over to a discussion of its policy
in respect to the charges laid before the
Interstate Commerce Commission. 1t was
said later. however. that President Ripley
will not be in town and that the purpose OF
the meeting is wholly routine.
President Marvin Hughitt OF the Chicago
and Northwestern Railroad was IN town
yesterdsyto attend a meeting of the road.
and the meeting was also attended by Will
liam X. Vanderbilt, whose presence in the
Street called for some comment Mr.
Hughitt also discussed the rate situation
with his brother railroad presidents and
left again for the West last night.