The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-17
RAILROADS AND
THE PRESIDENT
Whole Country Nightly Inter
eSted in What Is Going on
in Washington.
SPEYER AT WHITE HOUSE
ROOSEVELT CoNFERs WITH H.
LIMOS GOVERNOR.

washington March 16.-Questions af-
fecting the railroad situation occupied
more or less of the attention Of President
Roosevelt today. During the morning
there were informal talks with some of
his callers on the subject. and a dispatch
came from President Mellen of the New
York. New Haven & Hartford railroad.
asking for an appointment. In the after
noon there was a visit from Governor De
neen and Attorney General Stead of IIli-
nois. A seni-official denial was made that
the governor and the attorney general
talked either finance or railroads.
elton Deal Discussed.
From statements however. which have
come from authoritative quarters proceed
ing the visit. the inference is drawn that
there was some reference to the Chicago
& Alton deal, which figured prominently
in the recent Hartman investigation BY
the interstate commerce commission. The
president is known to be availiug himself
of every opportunity to become acquaint-
al with the railroad situation, and the
impression IS general that this question
was discussed to some extent, at least. in
the conference with Governor Deneen.
The latter would make no statement.
Statement Not Contemplated.
rumor gained currency during the
Is morning that the president intended to is
sue statement defining his attitude on
the relations of the government TO the
railroads. An impression to this effect
apparently got alb Dad from the fact that
The president had read TO some of his
callers extracts from his speeches and let
tiers bearing on some features of the rail-
road question. These reports. however,
proved groundless, and later Il was as
ceTtained that the president would not is
sue such a statement today. nor has he
such an idea in contemplation.
One Of the presidents callers was
James Speyer of New York head of Snev-
er q co. To many his call looked signff-
icant, as it followed that of wednesday,
closely 1t was impossible to ascertain
from either the White House or Mr..
speyer the purpose of the visit.
Deneen at White House.
Governor Dsneen and Attorney General
stead were with the president for fully an
hour. The governor was at the While
House at the Presidents request ST to dis dis
cuss certain questions the nature of
which he declined 10 disclose. After the
conference the governor called on Senator
Cullom and later took a train for Chi
oago. Neither the governor nor Dir. Stead
souid make anv statement reesls.sfffte the ia
Interview with the president. the governor
ally admitting that nothing had been
agreed upon that would require immediate
action
Governor Deneen gave the newspaper
men 10 understand that he expected the
president TO make statement about the
interview. but none was given out at the
White House It was explained there
that the arrangements with the governor
for his visit TO Washington had been made
before the recent furry in Wall street.
Will Confer With MeIIen.
Tuesday the president is to have a con-
ference with President Mellen of the New
York. New Haven & Hartford railroad at
Ar Mellen's initiative. Mr.. Mellen is one
q the railroad presidents with whom ]
hsrpont Morgan asked Mr.. Roosevelt to
confer as TO what steps might be taken
e allay the public anxiety as TO the rela-
ions between the railroads and the gov
eminent So far as ascertained at the
hhte House. Mr.. Mellen is the only one
q the presidents who has asked for an
Interview. and il is not known here
whether ne represents himself alone or
az four of the presidents named by Mr..
Morgan.
Mr. Mellen is well known to the presi-
dent and usually when he comes to Wash
mgton he makes a social call on air.
Roosevelt.
It was said at the White House that
nothing had been heard from F. II. Har-
nnan as TO proposed second call on the
president