The San Francisco call., 1906-11-21
ROOTS IRE ROUSED
BY HARTMAN
Criticism Of Railroad Regu-
lation Law Brings Quick
Response From Secretary
FAVORS SHIP SUBSIDY


KANSAS CITY. No. Nov 9o--An in
oident Of last nights banquet of the
Commercial Club, preceding the open
ing Of the Trans Mississippi CONNER
ctal Congress here .oday, was an eX-
change Of comment between E. H Har-
riman and Secretary Root on the rail-
road question. Hartman criticized
Government regulation of railroads
and Root was prompt with vigorous
reply.
Hartman said he hoped some of the
additional power President Roosevelt
said should be given to the Govern
ment TO deal with public organiza-
tions would come the way Of. the rail
roads. IF We are going to continue
70 prosper" he said. the power which
President Roosevelt desires added to
the Government. hope. viii be added
10 the other organizations-If hope that
some Of IL viii come our way.
Turning TO Root Hartman said
Il is often important 10 city or country
whether VIC DO certain things whether We de
velop territory or leave il dormant Often We
action of certain people for political prestige
believe there Is 10 be change Of attitude which
LeTe II Americsnism-and that means fair play
Root promptly replied:
Mr. Hartman. I believe ID bis speech to
niEht would have Us give more power to the
believe that it is just to say that wise Law
ebipe % ir s teeDng ss iq tSe isWs isw that Would
prevent the railroads from breaking the law.
IL is doubtless the case that railroad by spe-
build Up bigger and better business. The priv
ilege Of The railroads in discriminating IN the
matter OF special rates sno compensation IS TOO
often abused as We have seen.
II Is the common tendency Of railroads TO give
advantage 70 the wealthy shipper against the
weaker one
oency 70 crush the weak For his reason say
that II Is necessarv. Il Is essential 70 freedom
snd independent inst the rslrosds shoulo De
The slight advantage that the railroads would
man asks-would Be 50 greatly Offset by the
evl that such proposition would not be con
sidere6 moment
Before the Trans Mississippi Com
ulerciaI Congress here tonight Secre-
rsrv Root spoke again. AS on Mon
day night he dwelt upon this coun-
try's relations with the South Ameri-
can republics and the opportunity for
z mighty commerce
secretary Root spoke in favor Of q
ship subsidy law. deploring the de-
cline OF Americas merchant marine
The American ship owner could not
carry freight IN competition with sub
sidized foreign vessels. he said He
concluded
2
petition but az s subsidized competition. State
aid 10 steamship lines is a. much part Of the
commercial system Of our dsr IS Srste employ
nenr Of Consuls 10 promote business For the
American ship owner Il Is not contest OF IN
relllcence. skin. industry ana thrift against
similar qualities IN his conpetltors; - Is cor,
test against his competitors and MS competitors
government and his own government also
At the afternoon session H. D. Love
land OF san Francisco. vice president
Of the congress. delivered an address
on behalf Of the Golden Gate City and
the state OF California He gave an
expression Of gratitude for the splendid
manner in which the country responded
70 the appeal for aid after the earth
quake
Hartman made an informal talk.
SAYING that such power as is now given
the Interstate Commerce Commission
is dangerous not only TO the welfare
Of the railways themselves. but TO the
Industrial interests Of the country
George J. Kindel Of Denver asked per
mission TO answer Mr.. Hariman's 5
speech. Chairman Francis refused to
give Kindel the privilege of the floor
on the ground that q delegate could
not properly answer the speech of an
invited guest Hartman. however, in
sisted that Kindel be allowed to speak.
KindePs speech was an srraignment of
the railroads for alleged unfair rate
discrimination Hartman listened at
tentively and the two shook hands
afterWard.
Hartman said he did not control one
nile Of railroad The corporations in
which he was interested were con-
troIled by stockholders and directors.
he said