Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-20
HOW TO MAKE ROADS
Interesting Discussion Between
Hartman and Root.
FIRM BELIEF IN FAIR PLAY
Hills Statement About Needing 10O,-
600 Miles More Railway.
HE MAY HAVE BEEN MIsQUoTED
Law That Will Prevent the Railroads
From Breaking the Law Said
- to Be Needed.
FIRM BELIEF IN FAIR PLAY
HE MAY HAVE BEEN MISQU0TED

KANSAS CITY. November 2O.-The most
interesting feature of the Commercial Club
banquet last night had been announced be-
forehand, 1t being Edward H. Hartman
criticism of government regulation of rail-
roads and Secretary Of State Roots vigor-
Gus reply. Mr.. Hartman in his address
said
II saw in the papers that President Hill
of the Great Northern, in an address before
the commercial bodies Of Chicago, said that
the country needs 100000 miles more of rail-
way. I feel sure Mr.. Hill was misquoted
Two men now here who heard his speech
confirm my belief. AS they heard 1t, and as
he probably said it, the railroads need sid
ing, terminals and double tracks equal to
100000 miles of new railways.
Need More Power.
I'm his speech in Harrisburg recently
President Roosevelt said the executive and
legislative departments Of the government
should be given additional power to deal
with public organizations.
1T we are going to continue to prosper,
the power which President Roosevelt de-
sires added to the government, hope, will
be added to the other organizations.
hope that some of it will come our way. 1t
is impossible for a railway company or
large organization to carry on its business
properly If the people are constantly criti-
cising and suspecting. In the Union Pacific
company no one man says what the COM
pany will or will not do. am untiring
only because I must be on hand to hear
conferences and try to bring body of men
to some conclusion. 1t is not easy II you
always have to turn to the legal depart
ment and find whether you may or may
not"
A Change Of Attitude.
Here Mr.. Hartman paused and turned to
Secretary Root, who sat two seats rear
ward.
1T is often important to a citys or coun-
try whether we do certain things, whether
we develop a territory" Mr.. Hartman con-
tinued cor leave it dormant. Often we can
not give development a start because Of
prestige. I believe there is to be change
of attitude which soon Is to be felt. The
people are coming to believe in American
ism-and that means fair play"
Secretary Root accepted Mr.. Harriman's
challenge promptly, and prefaced his pre-
pared speech by saying:
Before I begin my talk on the subject
which has been assigned to me. desire to
Hartman. Mr.. Hartman. I believe. in his
speech tonight, would have US give more
power to the railroads.
Through the Railways.
1.-THE experience gained from a knowl-
edge Of railroad business in the state of
Missouri at time when the railroads were
competing for business led me to believe
that the best means of regulating traffic
and railway affairs is through the railways
themselves. believe that 1t Is just to say
that a wise law would be one that would
force the railroads to combine in keeping
the lava law that would prevent the rail-
roads from breaking the law.
IT repeat that the best regulation can be
brought about by the railroads themselves,
If they will only do it. Their power, Mr.
Hartman, should be supplemented by gov
ernmental control. such that would prevent
them from doing wrong.
ut is doubtless the case that a railway
by special compensation or special rates
can hope to build up a bigger and better
business.
Always a Chance.
Nevertheless. science Of government al
ways gives chance. The privilege of the
railroads in discriminating in the matter of
special rates and compensations is too
often abused, as we have seen.
'It is the common tendency of railroads
to give advantage to the wealthy shipper
against the weaker or smallersone.
1T is that tendency SO often displayed-a
tendency to crush the weak. For this rea-
tial to freedom and independence, that the
railroads should be held under control to
prevent discrimination. The slight advan-
tage that the railroads would gain by more
power-the power that Mr.. Hartman asks
for-would be SO greatly Offset by the evil
that such a proposition would not be con-
sidered moment"