Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-08
PEACE IS HIS SCHEME
Hartman Warmly Advocates
Cooperation.
RIGHT TO POOL UPHELD
He Declares the Administration Real
ICES It Has Been Too Radical.
GETTING CLOSER NOW, HE SAYS
Corporation Officials May Try for
Better Understanding ALI

xAOuuVs
NEW YORK, March ST am ready to
make the advancement of a scheme of CO.
operation between the government and the
railways my chief interest,"" said E. H.
Hartman, president Of the Union Pacific
railroad, on returning yesterday from
Washington. Eve men at the head Of
great corporations are coming to a better
understanding of what the government ex-
poets Of u.s., he continued 1--WE are get
ting the point of view of the administra-
ton. I am of the opinion that the admin
istration Is beginning to realize that it has
been a little too radical in it's attitude
toward the railroads, and I look to see its
opposition take on more Of the spirit Of CO.
operation"
Mr.. Hartman declined to talk about the
report that he had obtained control Of the
Reading railroad. Speaking of agitation
against corporate wealth, he said:
'They-we-all of US, ought to have con-
sidered the possible effects of this agitation
before 1t was begun or before conditions
that made Its growth possible were allowed
to continue. If we had all met on common
ground and co-operated for our mutual
benefit nobody would be worrying over the
situation as it Is today.
the mistake, and 1 am of the opinion that
the administration at Washington is begin
ming to realize that 1t has been little too
radical in its attitude toward the railroads.
Henceforth look to see its opposition take
on more Of the spirit of cooperation. l be-
lieve the railways can expect to receive
more even-handed justice.
Cali on Common Ground"
1--WE men at the head of the great corpo-
rations, our part, are coming to bet
ter understanding Of what the government
expects of us. We are beginning to get the
point of view of the administration. We
feel that we are now, all of us-the public,
the government and the railways-on a
common ground, where we can deal with
each other in the right spirit.
I'm more than willing to give my sup
port to such process of enlightenment.
I'm ready to make the advancement of such
a scheme of co-opera ton my chief interest.
Surely there could be few conditions imag-
Unable that would be of wider public benefit
than to eliminate hostile friction.
Railroad managers have, l am willing to
admit, in the past neglected to build up a
strong, harmonious relationship between
themselves and with the government and
the public. This matter had been left to
subordinate officers. and the result has been
that such relations have been completely
neglected. Now we must take the matter
better understanding and cooperation.
Our policy in the past has been a mis-
taken one, but 1t cannot be said that We
have neglected our service to the public.
When one considers what the railroads
have done to develop this nation we cannot
believe that the railroads have been any
thing but beneficial to the nation. The
marvellous development of the country has
been due, to a very large degree, to the en-
terprise Of Its railroads.
What Railroads uoua non.
"Since the time we took hold of the sys-
tenn Of railroads Of which am the head
$3.50. 600 have been expended in rebuild
ing the roads. This has all been done since
1900. AS another Instance of what the
railroads are doing to add to the general
prosperity of the nation, I'll tell you that
the roads of which am the head purchase
about 100000 tons of steel rails yearly,
and during that period We purchase about
"All this adds to the welfare of the ma
ton, and the development work which the
railroads have done has in some cases, as
Is now shown. resulted in the building up
of SO large a traffic that they are unable to
handle it.
Combination really benefits the public.
The public may think otherwise, but it will
learn the real truth in time That time
will come sooner if combinations are legal
lied. I believe in control and regulation,
as I declared before the interstate COM
merce commission, but l think within the
limit Of such control corporations ought to
be allowed to combine as they find it neces-
sary or beneficial"
Mr.. Hartman said that the railroads had
frequently been at fault in the past by their
failure to live up to traffic agreements. In
this way there had come a lack of conf
dence among railroad men, and the public
naturally grew to lose confidence in the acts
Of the railroad men.
Restrictive legislation, Mr.. Hartman
thought, must tend to reduce dividends I'M.
less met in some other way. The fact is
plain, he said, that there is a lack of con-
fidence felt by capital. He cited the price
paid by the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad Company for its recent
loans in France.
Economy More Necessary.
AS to the money outlook, Mr. Hartman
said that the present tension is bound to
react on industrial cooperation.
II know in a general way Of an all-round
movement to reduce supplies. That's COM
mon sense" he said. "As for our own
roads, we are making our business more
compact and trying to conduct traffic at
less cost. We may have to come to higher
freight rates."
Mr.. Hartman then took up the Chicago
and Alton reorganization. He said that
considering the conditions which existed at
that time the road had not been over
capitalized.
do you expect to go to Washington to
see the President again soon?" he was
asked.
''The President knows where 1 am" he
returned. IF he wants to see me, l am
ready to co..