New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-11
HARTMAN HAS REMEDY
URGES FEDERAL STATUTE.
Would Emposccr Railroads to Make
Long Term Traffic agreements.

Edward H Hartman. president of the Union
Pacific Railroad, 81 a long interview published IN
'~The New York Times yesterday, discusses the
railroad condition in this country to-day. explains
how 1t has developed and makes some suEses
tions as to how Il can he relieved and better
understanding between The people and the govern
ment, on the one hand, and the railroads, on Inc
other. can be brought about
Asked what specific governmental enactment
would bring some relief for the railroads. ne re-
piled: Recognize by federal statute the making
OF enforceable agreements between railroads for
distribution OF traffic. and have such agreements
binding for given period Of years.
Mr.. Hartman said he did not refer TO pooling ny
various railroad systems. he did not believe IN
g. He added:
The agreements that I have in mind would apply
to the distribution Of traffic that II could be
few DAYS, the President started the movement
for it on The part OF me e aoared th S rail
roads should be allowed 10 make agreements alcea
necessity for something Of this kind if the rail
roads are going 10 practise AWNING NE ne ne
It is right here that the railroads need the CO.
operation OF the government
Such law Mr.. Hartman said. would permit an
agreement for distribution Of classes OF freight.
with resultant economies which would be impos
sible under existing conditions Asked what effect
such an agreement would have on competition Mr.
Hartman replied:
You can't make competition by law The eco. condi-
lrs ,Ri ,tt 80 ~, o;lyod ard tie simmer
are anxious o f5et the best possible service on
the most economical basis. and fl frequently hap
various railroads in a given territory Is wasteful
and expensive.
one thing that think ought TO be cone is 10
allow me railroads 70 'sIy their freight saneaIies
SO that the man, Who Wa3ts extra 4 GieH service
citing cost could lie allowed pas for il and set IL
OF course in ~ this there must be supervision by
~. re sob ,ils r. nc ne ,ia, eoiog 10 ct
r1o ant r.f riaap
iea, s,,cb zrne'ysior, 10 Tho feIefI government
and not enmezh them in mass Of conflicting legis
latioD which tends 30 destroy al continuity OF
management ana defeats everT attempt at econ
ony. 81 course We ar, nor going 70 reach he
ana whatever 5te aeeine or cooperation between
the railroads anG the public but We mag perhaps
pLoleIs E,Ll,tI 20 SO &c Z "a, r. - i1 -, ~
shut oat from going II matters go on as they are.
The ability 20 make agreements for the distribu-
tion os traffic would step railroad consultations
Mr.. Iiarr!maa said. lie illustrated his point b.
SAYING:
] cent mind saving that, = We could have made
sine in 1901 Whereby we could have Developed that
property a2a at the Same time could have obtained
Pacific would never have acquired The Southern
PACIFIC. The same may be said of the Northern
taDpearsd thai the burlington acquisition in the
ieYrifarr wbeT- we ,oe - - We ~ ,b i @
Northern Securities COMPANY Whereby The rights
Of all parties would re conserved. but that couldn't
Hhleh lett The 4non Paee win lot Of Northern
couldn't keep. II was necessary for the onion Pa
Se - 80 ie % Js s'ch an9 IN ne re-,
and Great Northern IL looked 10 two things-i
TO secure greater income return, and second. to
acquire holdings that would be beneficial to the
road So II turned TO connecting lines and lines
ness mention this because II shows the way in
WHICH the lnion Paclae's position has developed.
by virtue primarily or the fact that 1t unable
roads as would have enabled II and them to reap
trafhc
Mr.. Hartman said he wanted the people 10
understand these things they might deal in
feliigently with the railroad problems as they
arose. The general tlmidity caused by the present
agitation against railroads. he thought operated
20 hurt both the public and the stockholders
Il want 10 DO what can TO develop such a feel
sng Of cooperation between the people and the
railroads." he said. 'that the Union Pacific and
other systems may not be shut Off from further
contributing 10 the country's development" He
added:
II has always been my idea 10 have the largest
posSoie n1nper OF people itIeiestea IN the rail-
been done with the idea Of increasing the stock
Dosea 10 the ide Of raiToad consadaidn avn mh G
seeks 10 eliminate the stakeholder BY making him
sust Il needs the interest OF its patrons and IN
return the stakeholder is entitled to a fair re-
Enumeration Cor the investment or risk OF his
money.
Discussing the inability OF the railroads TO take
OF the business now being offered TO them.
and his recent suggestion that six-foot guage for
railroads would allow them to use larger engines
and larger cars. Mr. Hartman said:
Perhaps II is chimerical 10 think now OF re-
building the railroads OF the entire country and OF
replacing the entire railroad equipment. The next
best thing IS obviously electricity, and I believe
the railroads VIII have to come 10 it,