The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-08-23
HARTMAN A JOKER.
Would Own AL Railroads if He Could.
JOllies a Newspaper Reporter
Out in Nevada.

Cali the railroads IN the country
would be mine if l could get con-
troll of them,9 said Edward H. Har-
riman to a reporter for the State Jour
nal, on his arrival at Sparks, New, the
division terminal, Friday, in the
course Of an interview during which
he discussed his work and his ambi-
tons.
Il have been quoted seriously for an
expression made jocularly to the eff
feet that 1 would manage the rail.
roads for the federal government, that
would turn my holdings over to the
United States for fair compensation
and act then as a commissioner, Mr..
Hartman continued But l am mis-
understood The time has not come
for federal ownership. Personally, with
all the lines in my possession, would
be better suited"
Remarking that, since Mr. Hartman
does not yet own all the railroads Of
the country, a statement Of his policy
in the light of the renewed agitation
for more drastic regulations by the
federal government with respecs to
those he does own would be of interest,
the reporter asked:
''What is your policy concerning the
management of the railroads that we
were told you own?"
'It is to pay dividends" came the
decisive answer.
"Since 1898 we have spent $300,00O,-
900 for Improvements. We want some
returns, don't you think we are emit.
tied to returns for such an eNDendi-
tur9? Mine, then is a financial pol.
icy l watch that end Of the game.
Other matters are left. with the Of
fciaIs concerned with them. There is
net much to that policy excepting to
make good investment better.
agitation Of the abuses on the
railroads makes harder the accom-
plishment Of local improvements. Facts
that in themselves are insignificant are
magnifed and distorted by the public
mind until they become harmful to the
interests of the public and to US It
is the spirit of the age-and the news
papers-so what can we do?"
why did you not answer the ques-
lions put to you by the Interstate com
MERGE commission, and will you an
swer them when the proceedings
brought by the department Of justice
force you to appear for the second
timer" the reporter asked
Z refused to tell what l knew
about the Chicago anu -3lton purchase
because the questions pu; to me dealt
with matters Of policy Mr.. Hartman
replied. "Scme of them l would not
answer any more than you if asked
from whom you b ought your sus,
penders or how much you paid for
your shirt. l could not, to be specific,
answer all the questions in justice TO
my associates in the purchase.
'tBut, now that the proceedings have
been started to get these replies, |
will probably not refuse again. In
uuiries directed at me in connection
with the Chicago and Alton case will
perhaps result in the answers desired
by the interstate commerce commits
sion. It was a business principle in
volyed that prevented me from an
swering questions. l may answer
when the matter comes up again"
In closing the interview, Mr.. Harri-
man declared that in the future the
policy Of his roads in the matters Of
rates, extensions, etc, will be to de-
velop the state of Nevada and the en-
tire western territory through both
the north and south lines.
Mr.. Hartman positively declined to
discuss politics. Continuing, he said
that San Francisco was the natural
tidewater terminal on the Pacific coast,
and nothing could disIocge her from
that position.
"The railroads and the capital cen
ter there" he said, "and despite the
efforts toward that end, neither Seat
tie. Oakland nor any other city will
ever be able to destroy San Francis
cos paramountcy.