Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-20
SEES PRESIDENT,
Pres. MeIlen Makes Gail
at White House.
III 0lSB.->,s N.,,cs n,.x >~i
No Statement Given Out and
Railroad Man Is Silent.
Following the Visit Federal Off
Gals Call On President.

Washington. March 19.-The inter
view between President Roosevelt and
Charles s. NIellen, the president of the
New York, New Haven & Hartford
Railroad recently arranged for the rur-
pose Of discussing the railroad stua-
ton took place at the White House to-
day. 1t lasted not more thar 50 min
utcs. No statement of the particular
questions discussed was made at the
White House and Mr. Mellen declined
to talk To all questions bearing on the
conference he referred his inquirers to
Secretary Loeb. adding that anything
he might say might be construed as
having n bearing on the present situl-
ton. Mr.. Mcllcn was asked whether he
would again visit the White House for
a conference with the President, but
he rcpliod nat hc did not expect e, I'M
less u" Was scnt for. Almost in the
same breath. however, II" said that per
hans Il" might come after all. even if
not sent for, rs he is in the habit of
making frcuuont visits to the Capitol.
Fcilc wing tho departure If Mr.. Mel
len. Interstate Commerce Commissions
or Franklin Lane came to the White
Fous" and had n talk with the Presi-
dent about railroad matters. Attorney
General Hnnaparte also conferred with
the President.
During tho past three weoks Presi-
dent Roosevelt has had visits from half
q dozen Woll-kncWn tinanciers and rail
road mon. with all of whom he has dis
cuasrd various phases Of the railroad
situate These include J. p. Morgan
Jane, Speyer of New York: President
Sticknnv Of the Chicago Great West
crn Railroad: y. +. Yoakum. the chair
man Of the board Of directors Of the
Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific: f. II.
Hartman Of the Union Pacific and
Charles s. Mcllen Of the New York
New Haven & Hartford Railroad. All
cf the persons have made specific rec
concentration in incorporating their
ideas. on the question whether the Pres
iIont should recommend additional
| railway legislation and most Of them
have urged him to make z statement
defining his attitude in explicit terms,
with Il view to allaying any public ap-
| prehCnSiOn on the subject that may eX-
| ist.
Generally thcre has been but little an
proach To rmanimity in the recommended
| llOlS. liz HAS ltEtiIt' Il4N teit'iH "ii'
want information az to his attitude. -
his public declarations on this general
subject AMI has told thcm that he means
"a be consistent with what he has al
| r, adv said. The President says frankly
that he is learning all he can regarding
the railroad situation and tht he intend :
IL continue t. consult with railroad n"o-
pIc and others on the subject. It is I'M
dcrstnod that he is making inquiries on
some points pertaining to federal super
vision and control of the railroads, to
the question Of an appraisemtnt Of the
physical valuation of such properties and
to the matter of the issue of various
forms of indebtedness. As to the last
named, he regards it as perfectly proper
and he sets no objection to a proper is
sue Of obligations for equipment, termi-
mails and betterments. but thinks there
should be n careful scrutiny to see that
stocks or bonds are issued for such pur-
poses.
The President has not reached any final
determination as to whether he will make
any recommendations to Congress for
legislation on any of these matters. His
position is that he is simply pursuing
diligently the study of these questions
and obtaining all the information avail
able before acting.
Tho President has made it plain to his
callers that he cannot be expected to
outline his policy ir the informal talks
with them, ard that differences as to his
attitude must not be drawn from what
he says in these casual remarks.
When he has made up his mind and is
ready 10 tell the public just what his at
titude is on particular questions and
specifically on the railroad issue, he viii
do SC in a speech or in a message to
Congress. The President is scheduled TO
make four speeches between now and
the middle of June and it is expected
he will have something to say on the