The Washington herald., 1907-03-28

The conference on the railroad situation
held at the White House last night lasted
for nearly three hours. Those present, in
addition to the President, were Mr.. Cor
telyou, Secretary of the Treasury; Mr.
Garfield. Secretary of the Interiors Mr.
Bacon. Assistant Secretary of State, and
Chairman Knapp, AID Messrs. Lane,
Clements, Clark. and Harlan. and Special
Counsel Kellogg. of the Interstate Com
merce Commission
The present railroad situation was con-
sidered and discussed from every angle.
No conclusion was reached as TO how OF
when the President should sound a note
that would be reassuring in its effect
upon the transportation world The Presi-
dent again made it clear that he fully
appreciates the seriousness of The ten
denotes toward decentralization in the
railroad business and of his desire to do
or say something that would restore the
equilibrium. The principal obstacle 10
action on the part OF the President seems
TO lie in the certainty that any publis
utterance or move on his part in the
matter might be misinterpreted-
situation Full of Peril.
BY frequent consultation with officials
ana others in whom he has confidence ne
is showing an earnest effort TO ascertain
wnas is possible 10 be done in the present
state of affairs II is stated on good au-
thority that no concrete plan was pro-
posed last night that the President might
utilize in taking course of action cal
cula:ed to bIingt urier out oI what ap-
pears 20 be the chaotic condition of affairs
that confrOnts the good as we'll as the
bad railroads IT is understood that the
proposal made by SIR. Schim that tae
railroad men and the Interstate Gom-
meree Commission should meet and
agree upon legislation that abe President
should recommend TO Congress was not
touched upon at all.
As one Of the conferees expressed il;
"The railroad situation was discussed
in its various ramifcatiQns; the situa-
tion was canvassed with great care, but
only In a general way. II Is realized that
the situation is fun Of peril. We are try
ing 10 ind way out of it"
President ia Move Promptly.
The President viii move promptly If he
moves at all. He may decide 10 go to
Springfield. as he was invited TO do by the
Illinois manufacturers. and deliver re-
however that the President will not visit
tile Illinois capital for this purpose.
The President has had the benefit of
eminent railroad counsel since the furry
in the railroad world, created in part by
the disclosures in the Hartman case. He
has talked TO ]. PieTpont Morgan, Z. II.
Hartman, Mr. YOakum, Of the Rock
Island; President Mellen, of the New
York. New Haven ana Hartford and
President A. B. Stickney, of the Chicago
Great Western
Marvin Hughitt. of the Northwestern
system, one of the four railroad presi-
dents whom il was expected would confer
with the President in accordance with
arrangements made to that end by Mr..
Morgan just before his departure for
Europe, arrived here last night He will
see President Roosevelt tomorrow. This
makes the second Of the Big Four who
met in New York a week or SO ago to
consider the advisabiiity Of talking with
the President about the situation to put
IN an appearance at the National Capital.
AiT. Melen was here last week. Mr..
Hughitt admitted that he was here for
the purpose of cOnferring with the Presi-
dent but he declined to make any COM
ment on the unsettled condition Of the
railroad business or TO talk concerning
the specific object of his forthcoming
visit 10 the White House.
Manufacturers Feel Stress of Panic.
The visit of the delegation representing
tie Illinois Manufacturers Association
yesterday morning was important in
that its members painted for the benefit
of the President a very gloomy picture OF
present business conditions. They spoke
from the standpoint of their own expe-
rienoe. making ii plain that unless some
action was taken soon to put an end to
the present uncertainty. the unexampled
prosperity Of the country might give way
20 unexampled hard times. Prosperity.
they pointed out, had brought increased
demand ana TO meet this demand manufae-
turerS and others who had things to sell
were obliged 20 extend their outputs, 10
increase their plants and to take other
means that would enable them TO profit
by the improved condition of trade But
at this time, when it was necessary for
these business concerns and individuals
10 raise money for the purpose of meeting
In part the obligations they had incurred
through meeting the increased demand
they found it difficult TO do SO The Pres
ident was told that the situation was
grave, and he was urged TO do something
that might be effective in restoring conf
circles
President Asked for Assurance.
The suggestion of the delegation as to
the best way to meet the situation was
that the President deliver a speech. in
which he would outline his attitude To-
ward railways and other corporate enter
prises. The delegation invited him TO de-
liver this proposed speech at Springfield.
H., al date to be set by himself No
definite assurance was given by Mr.
Roosevelt one way or the other. although
the members of the delegation Went away
from the White House with the idea tnat
he had been impressed with the showing
thai they had made and was favorably
inclined toward their plan of letting the
country know what the administration
thought of present conditions.
While no official statement on the sub
ject could he obtained al the White House.
Il was said there that The President in
tended 10 give Consideration for two or
three days to the delegations proposal
CONTINUED on SECOND PAGE.