The Washington herald., 1907-03-09
SOUGHT INTERVIEW
Hartman Made Request for
White House Conference.
PREsIDENTDID NOTNvITE HIM
sole Object OF Financier's Visit Here
Was 10 Secure Audience with Exc
cutive-WHI Probably Get Mr.
HOoseVeIt's Views OH ""Watered"
stock ns n Basis for Rate Making.

Well-informed persons are not permit
ting themselves to be misled by stories
said 10 emanate from sources close TO E
H. Hartman. in New York. that the in
terview which has been arranged TO take
place between the railroad magaate and
President Roosevelt in the near future
was invited by the President
The request for the conference was
carried from Mr.. Hartman 10 the White
House by Mr. Maxwell Evarts. of the
financier's legal staff. last Wednesday.
Mr.. Evarts was told that the President
would be glad TO see Mr Hartman. and
as soon as the latter received that infor-
nation he made immediate arrangements
to return 10 New York. where he arrived
Thursday morning.
Apparently, the sole purpose Of AR
Harriman's recent visit TO Washington
was 70 make arrangements for an ex-
tended talk with the President. It was
announced that ae was on vacation and
that his idea was to 20 on TO a Southern
resort after spending a few days here
Members Of his family accompanied
him. and with him. spent much time in
sightseeing while here. but it is siguifi-
cant that as soon as Mr.. Hartman was
assured that the President was willing
10 talk with him. he lost interest in
Washington's various attractions, and
hurried back TO his office in New York.
Arrived there. he continued to be as To-
quacious as ne was here, much to the
surprise of all his intimateS. who know
how persis,e-tIy he has attempted 10
avoid newspaper publicity in the past.
Hartman Sought Interview.
There is reason 10 believe that Mr.
Hartman would have been more than
willing 20 arrange for a formal interview
with the President early in the present
week. when he took his son to the White
House just 10 show the boy around. %
He saw Mr Roosevelt then. but the Pres
dent did not permit the call to develop
into anything else than a mere social af-
fair. largely for the benefit of the young
er Hartman The President did not ask
Mr. Hartman to come back. and Mr..
Hartman, apparently. did not see his
way clear TO ask for an appointment II
he expected an invitation 10 the White
House he WAS disappointed and. after
waiting another day or two, he sent Mr..
Evarts 10 see Mr.. Roosevelt, with the re-
suit already noted
So far no definite date for the confer
euCe has been selected. but it is thought
10 be probable that the President VIII
see the railroad king some tine reXt
week The answer sent Mr. Hartman
was merely that the President would be
glad to see him. In the meantime some
OF Mr.. Harriman's friends in New York
possibly without his knowledge or con-
sent-are seeking 70 create the impress
sion that the President is setting IN" 90
the financieT, and that the initial move
in the arrangements for q meeting was
made by the White House.
The only possible explanation of Mr.
Harrimans recent gaTruItty and OF his
desire 90 confer with the President is be-
lieved in well-informed circles 10 be that
the railroad magnate is attempting %
ward of drastic governmental action. By
talking with the President he hopes 20
moderate Mr.. ROosevelts views as 20
railroads. 10 some extent. at least, and
by permitting himself to be copiOusy re-
ported in the newspapers he thinks he
may be able 10 prevent the complete
alienation Of public sentiment. and 10
bring about a feeling more favorable to
him and his associates.
Rogers Visit Recalled.
II. II. Rogers, it is interesting to re-
member in this connection. came to see
the President when the government :
legal machinery was first set in motion
against the Standard Oil Company. just as
Mr. Hartman is now arranging for a
conference when he is being pressed by
the Interstate Commerce Commission. IN
no other way than that suggested, in the
opinion Of those who are in a position 10
know. can the recent actions Of the
wizard Of the railroads be accounted for
President Roosevelt doubtless had a
good reason for not granting Mr.. Harri-
man an immediate audience. He natu-
rally assumed that Mr.. Hartman desired
10 talk about the railroad situation. and
he wished "a have few days in which
to go over the record with his advisers.
inform himself thoroughly concerning
everything that has been done, and thus
be prepared to meet the railroad man on
an equal footing.
Nr. Hartman has said in his recent
interviews that he is in favor Of the max
ing Of agreements between railroads, such
agreements to be sanctioned by the gov
ernment. If he means merely agreements
as to rates, he viii find the President
in hearty accord with him, for in bis last
regular message MIR. Roosevelt recon-
mended that railways should be permitted
C0NTISUED on THIRD PAGE.