The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-17
THE PRESIDENT IS
RAILWAY Student
Is Availing Himself of Every Op.
portunity of Becoming Ac-
auainted With Situation.

y
WASHINGTON. D. c.. March &c.
Questions affecting the railroad situation
occupied more or less OF the attention OF
President Roosevelt to-day. During the
morning there were informal talks with
somo of his callers OH the subject,
dispatch came from President Mellen, Of
the New Yo X, New Haven and Hart
ford Railroad, asking when II would be
convenient for tie President to him, and
in the afternoon there was visit from
Governor Deneen and Attorney General
Stead, Of Illinois.
a semi-ofllcnl denial was made that
the Governor and the Acknowledgement
talked either finance or railroads From
statements, however, which have come
from authoritative quarters, pr cedins
the Governors visit, the Inference is
drawn that there was some reference
during the talk with the President to tho
Chicago Alton DEAL which figured proml-
nently In tho recent investigation OF
Hartman before the Interstate CONF
mcrcc Commission. The President Ia
fnown to he awaiting himself OF every
opportunity to become acquainted gen.-
rally with tie railroad situation, and
specifically as 1t exists In certain diree-
tions, and the impression Is general that
this question was touched OIL to some
extent at least in tho conference with
Governor Dinecn. The Inter would mako
no statement on the subject.
Not to Issue Statement.
ruinor gained currency to-day that
the President intended to issue state
ment defining, In positive Language, his
attitude OH the relations of the gov
eminent to the railroads. An impress
sion to this effect apparently got
abroad from the fact that the Pres.-
| dent had read to some OF HIS callers
extracts from speeches he had made
and letters he had written bearing
| on some features Of the re$lroad aues.
ton. All reports Of this character.
| however, proved to be groundiess, and
later II was ascertained, on the best
authority that the President would
not issue such statement to-day, nor
did he have any such idea In contcn-
plation.
One OF the Presidents early callers
to-day was James Speyer, of New York,
the head OF the firm of Speyer & Co.
\ TO many his call looked significant,
as 1t closely followed on that Of Wed.
nesday. 1t was impossible TO ascEr
tain either from the White House or
from MIR. Spcyer tho purpose of the
latter's visit.
II Governor Deneen and Attorney Gem
eral Stead We're 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 lie declined to
disclose. After the conference. the
Governor called on Senator Cullom. and
later took the 5:45 o'clock train for
Chicago.
Neither the Governor nor Mr.. Stead
! would make any statement regarding
their Interview with the President
! the Governor only admitting that
nothing Aud been agreed upon that
would require Immediate action. Gov.
. ernor Deneen gave the newspaper mer
i who saw him to understand that h,
expected the President to make a state
8 ment about the interview, but nothing
in that form was given out at the
j. White House. It was explained there
{ that the arrangements for the Gov,
ernor's visit to Washington had beer
. made before the recent Hurry in Wal
). Street.
: Tuesday next the President is to have
conference with President Mellen O.
!: the New York. New Haven and Hart
ford Railroad. The interview is a
Mr.. Mellen's initiative. Mr. Mellcl
Is one OF tho railroad presidents Will
whom J. Pierpont Morgan asked Mr.
Roosevelt to confer as 10 what "step
might be taken to allay the publ,
anxiety as to the relations between
/ the railroads and the government"
So far as ascertnined at the Whit
House. Mr.. Mellen is the only ono o
] the presidents who has asked for q,
interview and It Is not known thor
whether he represents himself alon
or all four OF the presidents named b.