The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-24
RAILROAD news,
Paul Morton VIII Not Leave
Cabinet Under Fire.
Movement Started by Political
Enemies Has Opposite Effect.
HIS QUALIFICATIONS.
Sound Judgment and Grasp of
National Questions.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railway Circles.
J QUALIFICATIONS.

Washington, April 24-It NAV he sta
ted authoritatively that the movement
which has been inaugurated by politi-
cal enemies of the president to drive
Secretary Morton from the cabinet has
had directly the opposite effect-tha.t is.
of causing the secretary of the navy
to determine to remain in Office so long
as he believes he is under fire.
Mr.. Morton had intended to retire on
March 4. Agitation which developed in
connection with the Atchison. Toueka. e
Santa F'e railroad rebate charges had
the effect of inducing him to listen to
the wishes of the president that he
should stay as a member of his official
family At the time the interstate
commerce commission recommended
that the Atchison system be prosecu-
ted for granting rebates to the Color
ado Fuel and Iron company it general
~ was understood Mr. Morton would
retire some time in June.
AS a result of rumors growing out of
the further investigation which has
been made by Attorneys Harmon and
Judson, special counsel for the depart
ment of justice, it seems certain Mr..
Morton will not get out so long as it
might be said he was forced to resign
because of alleged guilt on account Of
the AtchisOn case.
More Money in Railroad Work.
Financially Mr.. Morton of course
would find retirement to civil life great
ly to his advantage. He has his posi-
ton on the Atchison system still open,
and it is reported he could have the
presidency of the Clover Leaf system
if he wanted it. There is no doubt,
from statements made by President
Roosevelt before he left Washington,
that if he could have his way Mr.. Nor
ton would remain in the cabinet during
the remainder of his term.
Mr.. Morton has proved himself to be
a man of sound judgment, in possession
of a broad, comprehensive grasp on ma
tional questions, which enable him to
give advice to the president, said by
the latter to be OF great value. Mr..
Morton has been particularly servicea-
Bile to the president in connection with
the formulation of his views and their
expression in connection with the rail-
road rate question. AS secretary of the
navy Mr.. Morton introduced a number
of sensible business reforms which sim
plified the work of his department and
enabled a smoother transaction of ma
val business.
These satisfactory qualities which
Mr.. Morton displayed have appealed to
the president and are responsible for
his effort to induce the secretary to
change his mind about leaving the Off
cial circle in washington. But Mr..
Morton has no intention of remaining
IN ONCE any longer .lIlelIl ne QG6IlS dQ-
visable. Not that he believes he is in
need OF vindication. He takes the po-
sition that he has done absolutely
nothing which justifies the cutlery
raised against him. He will not talk
about what he did while a private
citizen and holding the position of vice
president of the Atchison system.
Willing to Tell Truth.
The secretary is perfectly willing
the whole truth shall be known and
he wasn't at all concerned when in
formed that the senate committee on
interstate commerce was considering
the advisability of calling upon him for
information upon the railroad rate
question generally, but specifically,
upon the charges that rebates were
given by the Atchison company to the
Colorado Fuel and Iron company In
fact, he said he was perfectly willing
to respond to any call of the com
mittee and he gladly would appear be-
fore it and tell all he knew in regard
to rebates and the attitude which the
Atchison system observed while he was
filling the office of vice president.
Mr.. Morton asserts there is no letter
in existence to show he had authorized
rebates to the Colorado Fuel and Iron
company or that he had ever signed
a letter of anv such character. If he
should be called upon to testify before
the senate committee he might supple
ment the statement of Victor Nora
wetz. counsel for the Atchison road,
but he would, in a general waE only
confirm the explanation when the at
torney gave. He would claim, as Mr.
Morawetz said. that the charges grew
out of a confusion of the cost of trans
portation and the cost of coal; that
the Atehison system collected a charge
of s4.05 a ton on coal. 1t reserved a
Transportation charge of $3.50 for itself
and turned over S1.15, the price of coal
a ton, to the Colorado Fuel and Iron
company.
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