The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-19


Conferences about the railroad sltua-
ton continue to be the rule at the White
House Chairman B. 2. Yoakum. Of the /
board OF directors of the Rock Island, /
saw President Roosevelt yesterday, and
President Charles S. Mellen. OF the New
York. New Haven and Hartford. viii call
on the Executive this afternoon. he hav-
Ing arrived in Washington from New
York last night.
II Is expected that the other three
railroad heads who were mentioned by
J. p Morgan after his visit 10 Mr.. Roose-
welt a week ago last night will come to
Washington in the near future alse, and
that some other railroad presidents will
follow the lead Of Messrs. Yoakum. Stick
ney, and MeIlen before many days have
passed.
Evidences are multiplying that the
great railroads Of the country are anx-
ious to have the public believe that they
are willing 10 be good" II is believed
that assurances TO this effect VIII be
given President Roosevelt in the near
future. II. indeed. they have not already
been given him. Although government
ownership OF railroads IS not regarded as
anything more than a remote possibility.
If possibility at all. It seems that the
railroad managers themselves think
that the trend In the direction OF that
policy. and the general snti-railroad feel
ing which has manifested itself in many
ways. are sufficient 20 cause them TO
change their tactics. There IS reason 10
believe that the heads of most Of the
great railroads Of the country are will
ing 10 go to lengths which would have
been thought out OF the question a few
months ago, in their efforts 10 prevent
The growth and development of the
present agitation.
As to Government OwnershiP.
The advocates Of government owner
ship base their support Of that policy
more on the alleged shortcomings OF the
railroads under present conditions than on
any underlying belief in the efficacy Of
their proposed plan. A great many OF
those who say they favor government
ownership have not taken the trouble TO
study the question, and are not informed
as to the various points involved. They
believe that the railroads. under present
conditions. are not giving the public a
square DEAL and the suggestion that
the government own ana operate the
transportation lines affords them an OPP
portunity to point out the improvements
which they think might be brought about
under public ownership.
The railroads. Il is believed, are willing
10 acquiesee in practically the whole OF
President Roosevelt's railroad policy In
order to stop whateser trend toward pub
lie ownership may now be in existence.
and 10 put an end 10 the anti-raliroad
feeling which has been so noticeable in
the recent past. It has been suggested In
all seriousness within the past day or
two that II further legislation is TO be
had along the lines known to be favored
By the President the quicker such legisla-
ton comes the better II viii be for the
railroads. The idea. from the railroad
standpoint. Is that such legislation viii
restore public confidence and give rail-
road companies an easier market in which
/ to procure money to carry on the work or
improving and extending their lines.
/ In other words, men who were laughing
/ Il President ROOssvelt's railroad plans a
year ago are now apparently willing TO
/ let him know that they not only acqui-
/ esce IN those plans. but that they are
willing to have his programme carried
cut as soon as possible. Indeed. il Is be-
/ lieved that in some influential quarters the
opinion prevails that il would be well
from the standpoint Of the railroads il a
special session of ConETess could be held
for the purpose OF considering legislation
which the President Is anxious 20 have
enacted
No Statement frSm YOakum.
Mr. Yoakum would make no detailed
statement following his conference with
the President yesterday, but, Of course, il
is no secret that he called at the White
House for some other purpose than u
comment on the beautiful spring weather,
This is the second time Mr.. Yoakun has
seen the President recently. and in the
two conversations they have had il Is be
Ieved that the gem raj situation has been
gone into very thoroughly. and that the
better understanding which is desired
TO be brought about between the admins
tration. the railroads, and the people nov
exists. so far as the President and the
Rock Island Frisco magnate are con.
cerned.
The apparent willingness Of railroad
presidents to acquiesce in the President
programme explains the reluctance Of
Messrs McCFae. Newman. and Hughit
TO come 10 Washington without a spe
eial invitation. Naturally, they desire tC
avoid the appearance OF a complete cur
render to Mr.. Roosevelt, and they thini
that their position would be made some
what more beaTable If the country could
be given 20 understand that they called
on the President because he asked then
TO. Il is not the Presidents plan TO issue
any. special invitations. however. HI
will De. glad 70 see any railroad pTesi
dent who may come to Washington ana
az over the sltuaflnn with him Tho