The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-10
FACING INQUIRY.
Hartman Lines Merger to Be
Subject of Federal investigation.
OustIng of Fish of Illinois Cen
trail Brings 1t About.
BIG COMBINE FEARED.
Some Features of Case Resemble
Northern Securities Affair.
Fish May Get Revenge on the
Witness Stand.
BIG COMBINE FEARED

Chicago, Nov. 1O.-A special from
John Gallon OI.aughlin at Washing
ton to the Tribune says:
-Stuyvesant Fish's removal from the
presidency of the Illinois Central rail-
road is to be avenged by the govern
ment in a way he could hardly have
anticipated. AS a result of the action
OF E. II. Hartman in extending his
control over this line the interstate
commission took up for
consideration the question of investi-
eating all the Hartman railroad en-
terprises. It has been decided to in
stitute an investigation early in the
new year.
This investigation will be Of as
much Importance, in all probability, as
was that which the commission made
Pacific and the Great Northern, which,
as the Northern Securities company,
was dissolved by order Of the supreme
court under the antitrust law.
Harriman's Big interests.
In one way the action of Hartman
and James J. Hill in allying the North
ern Pacific with the Great Northern
He controls the Union Pacific. the
Southern Pacific, and he Oregon
Short Line. which should be compet-
ing roads in the judgment of the
members of the commission. and now
he has the Illinois Central and the
Baltimore and Ohio. which makes him
a big factor in determining rams
continental rates.
The investigation of the Hartman
interests will be taken under the
amendment to the interstate com
merce act, which passed congress in
1891. This amendment provides:
That the commission hereby created
shall have authority to inquire into the
management of the business of all
common carriers subject to provisions
of this act, and shall keep itself in
formed as to the manne and method
in which the same is conducted, and
shall nave the right to obtain from
such comnon carriers full and COM
plete information necessary to enable
the commission to perform its duties
and carry sout the object for which Il
was created"
Like Northern Securities Case.
Following its investigation of the
combination of the Great Northern
and the Northern Pacific, the commits
sion transmitted testimony to the de-
partnlent of justice, which used it to
bring about the dissolution OF the
Northern Securities A sim
liar course Will be followed upon the
completion of the impending investi-
cation.
So far as the commission has con-
sidered the matter. It has determined
% inquire particularly INTO the TGId-
tons of the Oregon Short Line. the
Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific.
The Illinois Central and the Baltimore
& Ohio viii come in only incidentally
in order to establish the full extent Of
Harriman's operations. Unquestion-
ably. Mr.. Fish will be called upon to
state what lie knows and it is expected
he will furnish Information which will
be of the greatest value to the COM
mission in determining whether there
has been any violation of the law.
Digging for the Facts.
The reason the commission will not
begin the formal investigation before
January is that it is necessary for it to
obtain a basis of facts which will en-
able it adequately to cross question
with him. It has been the experience
of n commission In the Investigations
that, unless 1t has prepared itself with
pertinent questions, the witnesses
would refrain from giving testimony
establishing the ~cuIpability Of their
interests. Therefore it has been usual
to employ a special agent whose duty
it was to inform himself as far as pos
sible about the subject and make a re-
port to the commission.
It is intended to pursue the sams
policy in the investigation of Mr.. Har-
riman and his roads. When the little
wizard of Wall street. goes on the
stand he will find himself subjected to
a cross fire of questions which is ex-
pected to result in valuable informa-
ton.
AS the state of Illinois is financially
concerned IN the Illinois Central, the
investigation must be Of first Interest
to it. The Dubuque and Sioux City sec
ton of the system was constructed
upon a valuable land grant. and this
could be used as an. excuse for a fed
considered it necessary. But no ex-
cuse is being sought for. This commits
sion believes that under the interstate
acts 1t has ample power TIC
proceed. Already it has mad one re-
port adverse to Hartman, arising gu
Of the gross frauds alleged to have
4 been perpetrated by h Union Pacific
in connection with its enormously val
liable agricultural and mineral lands
This report was referred by the presi-
dent. to whom it was submitted, to the
attorney general. and the latter is
about to institute proceedings for the
cancellation of many of the patents.
No Var on Hartman
The commission is not making wal
upon Mr.. Hartman from any hostile
motive, but is actuated only by a de-
sire to do its duty as defined by he in
terstate laws. The public
agitation which has resulted from the
throwing out Of Mr. Fish emphasized
the necessity of inquiring INTO the ac-
tivity Mr.. Hartman Is displaying il
obtaining control of railroad systems.
Complaints have been received by the
i commission that rates on freight are
higher from the Missouri river to Den
yer than from Chicago and eastern
points to Denver, and that rates ars
hfgher from a Francisco to Denver
than from q Francisco to the Mis-.
souri, river.
It is claimed by the railroads that the
water competition is responsible for
these determinations. but this obvious
~ has slight foundation. for no real
Marer cnmnatifinn hetHaan east an6