The Washington times., 1906-12-30

system from Pittsburg to tidewater. The
Rockefellers actually did back Gould to
do this
Cassatt With Roosevelt.
But there was more 10 it than this
Cassatts alliances were i'm a general
way with Morgan. Cassatt did not
agree with Morgan in all his policies.
though he did in most of them Cassatt
was especially distrusted by the Rocke-
fellers, because of his attitude toward
Theodore Rooscvelts progressive rail-
road policies 1t was CaszatJ WhC helped
TO make a law possible against rebatiug
II was Casssatt who helped the Presi-
dents friend, Knox. into the Senate;
CassaJt whose detection from the riaI-
road side in the contest over the rate
bill divided the corporation interest
Mr.. Cassatt believed that it was best
for the railroads to accept reasonable
measure 81 Government control rather
than reject il ana have a more dFasti.
control later forced upon them. The
Rockefellers. as has always been their
policy, were ready to fight every en-
croachment of Government Cassatt
was liberal broad-minded. far-sighted in
his view OF these questions. The Rookie
Looks Into Future.
Cassatt did more than ali this. He
saw farther ahead than any other rail-
road man that the tremendous expan-
sion Of railroad business would soon
ouJrun established facilities for hand
ling freight. He realized that where
there were now double tracks, four were
soon to be needed; that single tracks
ought soon 10 be doubled; that new
roads would be needed. He took up this
policy of magnificent expansion early. He
invested tens of millions in terminals of
a magnitude before undreamed or He
tunneled into New York, he built great
new facilities wherever they were needed
along his line. He was the confident
and progressive transportation master
in the largest sense.
This man has gone. The enemies
whom he 50 long held at arms length
have the field 10 themselves. There is
none to take Cassatt's place and carry
forward the fight against the unmatch-
able wealth, the fabulous incomes. of
the men OF the Standard OH syndicate
It viii therefore be small wonder if
those men shall before long bring them
selves into domination of the great
Pennsylvania system. doubtless today
the most perfect railroad property in
this hemisphere.
TTuSt-0wned Roads.
Annexing the Pennsylvania to the
group of STANDARD Or roads will give
immensely increased power TO that group
in its efforts To overshadOw and over
power all rival transportation systems.
The sinister advance of Standard Oil has
made il a power in New York Central.
1t is deep in Rock Island, strong in
A,chison, has recently secured Illinois
Central. and has the whole Hartman
system. II is still a large owner in
Northern Pacific and Great Northern.
it is behind Gould and his Wabash.
James J. Hill has announced that he
will, in a few months, retire from active
business. He and Cassatt have for a
decade stood more firmly than any
others against the onset of Rockefeller
ism, Il is small wonder that people
who are concerned with the tenden-
cies OF railroad management are Just
now giving thought to the immediate
future They see possibilities of revolu-
tionary developments in these things.
Every advance toward firmer govern
also an advance toward stronger CEN
traIization of railroad finance and
management.
Government Ownership.
That this parallel progress will con-
tinue is firmly believed by the men who
represent the Government in the execu-
tion Of its laws for railroad regulation.
/ They are only wondering how fast il
Will move. and what forms it vi" take.
That all this is, further, progress to-
ward Government ownership, IS Just as
firmly. believed.
Nobody who has 10 do with the study
and administration of 'he present rail
road laws believes that the people Will
ever let any other interest than the Gov
eminent dominate the transportation
system of the country. The Govern
ment is not ready for such a task II
it must some day take over that task.
j il needs time and expeTisnce n pTepaIa-
/ ton for the task
1 But the financieTs are not awaiting
/ the convenience of the government.
They can't delay their arrangements
while public opinion is slowly forming.
Tney are going right ahead, centcsilziag
and unifyin6 and consoi'datirg.
! And as has reen said bCtc-a. ,hv With
/ drawal of the influence Of Cassat. and
/ Hill will remove two very 9rea- OBJ
stacles that have ,Ung blocked progress
| toward this Capitalization of fnsucia!
control.