Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-03-17
GOVERNOR DENEEA WAS A CALLER
Chief Executive of Illinois Would Not
Talk About His Conference With
RooseveIt-President MeIen, of the
N. Y, N. H. G H., Wires for an
Engagement.
CBy Associated press.)

WASHINGTON, d. c., March 1G.-
Questions affecting the railroad sit
nation occupied more or less of the
attention of President Roosevelt to.
day During the morning there were
informal talks with some OF his call.
ers on the subject and dispatch
came from President Mellen. of the
New York. New Haven & Hartford
Railroad. asking when II would be
convenient for the President TO see
him and in the afternoon there was a
visit from Governor Deneen and AT.
torney General Stead, of Illinois.
a semi-official denial was made
that the governor and the attorney
general talked either financial or
railroad situations. From statements
which have come frorl authoritative
sources preceding the Governors Wis.
it the inference is drawn that there
was some reference during the talk
with the President on the Chicago &
Alton deal, which figured prominently
in the recent Hartman investigation
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. The President is known to be
awaiting himself of every opportunity
to become acquainted generally with
the railroad situation aud especially
as 1T exists in certain directions and
the Impression is general that this
question was touched on to some ey-
tent at least in the conference with
Governor Deneen. The latter would
make no statement on the subject
President Not to Issue Statements.
A rlimor gained currency today that
the President intended to issue a
statement defining, in positive Ian.
suaee. his attitude on the relations
of the government to the railroads.
An impression to this effect apDar-
emily. got abroad from the fact that
the President had read to some of his
callers extracts from speeches he had
made and letters he had written
bearing on some features of the rail
road question. All reports of this
character. however. proved to be
sroundless and later it was ascer-
tanned. on the hest authority. that
the President would not issue such a
statement today nor did he have any
such idea In contemplation
James Speyer Sees President.
One of the Presidents early callers
today was James Speyer, of New
York, the head Of the firm of Speyer
& Company. To many persons the
call looked significant, as it closely
followed OH that of others. 1t was
impossible to ascertain either at the
White House or from Mr.. Speycr the
purpose of the latters visit. Cover
nor Deneen and Attorney General
Stead were with the President for
fully an hour. The Governor was at
the White House at the Presidents
request to discuss Certain questions"
the nature of which he declined to
disclose. After the conference the
Governor called on Senator Cullom
and later took the 5:46 train for Chi.
cago. Neither the Governor nor Mr..
Stead would make any statement re-
garding their interview with the
President. the Governor only admit
ting that nothing had been agreed
upon that would require immediate
action. Governor Deneen gave the
newspaper men who saw him to un.
derstand that he expected the Presi-
dent to make statement about the
interview, but nothing in that form
was given out at the White House.
1t was explained there that the ar
engagements with the Governor for his
visit to Washington had been made
before the recent furry in Wall
street.
Will Confer With MelIcn.
Tuesday next the President Is TO
have a conference with President
Mellen, of the New York, New Haven
G. Hartford Railroad. The interview
is to be had at Mr.. Mellen's invita-
ton. Mr.. Mellen is one of the rail.
road presidents whom J. p Morgan
asked Mr.. Roosevelt to confer with
as ito what steps might be taken to
allay the public anxiety as to the re-
lations between the railroads and the
government" So far as ascertained
at the White House, Mr.. Mellen is
the only one of the presidents who
has asked for an interview and it is
not known there whether he repre-.
sents himself alone or all of the four
presidents named by Mr.. Morgan.
1t was said at the White House
late today that nothing had been
heard from Z. III. Hartman as to his
proposed second call on the Presi-
dent