The National tribune., 1907-06-13
OFFICIAL PILGRIMS.
CONTINUED from page one.)

parte. of the Cabinet: Interstate Com
merce Commissioners Knapp and Lane.
and Special Attorney Frank B. Kel-
logg, president. This conference ended
in general way, with only slight pros
pect of bringing Magnate E. II. Harri-
man to book for his wicked railroad
practices throughout the West. There
is sole prospect of making him hop
for one railroad agreement; but there
must be further sitting and analysis
Of evidence before the Department of
Justice is convinced that that is a good
case.
The Presidents final strenuous days
here likewise included the laying of a
corner stone for the new Masonic Tenn
pie in Washington, where he delivered
the principal address. He urged all
Masons to be good citizens, but while
one of the Grand Lodge officials was
tying the Masonic apron about Mr..
Roosevelt there peeped from between
the Presidential coat tails the handle
of n big revolver. 1t has been known
for some time, however, that the Pres.
ident was in the habit of carrying a
revolver. He has told his friends that
he believes if any crank should try to
do him bodily harm he would be quick
enough on the trigger TO do some harm
ito the crank.
But now a great quiet has come over
the National City, for the President
has gone for the Summer. and every
one here is resting. He has had 4
strenuous year and will undoubtedly
come back here for another strenuous
year, as he has numerous large plans
that he wishes to be carried out before
the adjournment of the next session of
Congress.
The Trust-BustinE Program.
The Standard Oil suits are progress
ing finely, and the progress in the
combination is very satisfactory to the
President. The Circuit Court at st.
Paul a few days ago decided against
the trust in a very important matter.
BY this decision the Government is al
lowed to present evidence dating prior
to the organization of the present trust.
This success reconciles the President
in cOnsiderab BILE part to his inability to
reach Hartman. The investigation of
the Hartman roads. which the Presi-
dent directed the Interstate Commerce
Commission to begin MANY months
ago. and which was conducted relent-
lessly, develops no promising field for
further work by the courts. The In
terstate Commerce Commission first
ference of prominent lawyers and 9TH
ers of the Cabinet was called, that the
President might inform himself about
the details of the situation and also
that Attorney General Bonaparte
might have the benefit of the opinions
of these various gentlemen.
Hartman arranged an agreement by
which the Union Pacific and the Rock
Island Railroads should control the
Chicago & Alton Railroad in alternate
years. 1t is believed that that agree
ment was in violation of the Sherman
Antitrust Law. under which the
Northern Securities Holding Company
was dissolved. If the case will hold
water, the Department of Justice will
proceed with it to the very end. But
the decision of the Supreme Court in
the Northedn Securities case was five
| to four, and under circumstances that
indicate the necessity of having a very
good case if the Government hopes to
win another decision. The Interstate
Commerce Commission and the men,
bers of the Cabinet are convinced that
no criminal prosecution can be sue
lcessfully conducted against Hartman.
The Government will try to commit
him for contempt if he persists in re-
fusing to answer certain questions
about his railroads however, but il
does not follow from that that the
President will get Hartman into Jail.
| Thus far, 1t can be safely said the
Presidents activities against Hartman
have not been productive of great re-
suits, and that wicked consolidator of
railroads has a fair prospect of get
| ting off scot free. 1t seems to the
President that there is prospect for
the country to recover from the threat
ened business depression, and he is
willing to ease up on Hartman If
| thereby he can encourage a continual
| ton of prosperity. The Department
of Justice will proceed cautiously, at
least, till some time near Autumn.
The Presidents Critics.
Along with these developments there
has come something of a crusade from