Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-25
All at Variance on Railroad
Problem and Definite Action
Must Wait
PRESIDENTS ADVISERS DIFFER
Question Arises as to Whether Pres
ent Law Opens Way for Complete
Federal control-President Investi-
oates and Awaits Action of supreme
Court.

Washington, March 25.-While 1t is
popularity supposed that the great rail
way presidents of the country are
anxious to have the president OF the
United States do what he can to insure
complete federal control of all railway
affairs, 1t is curious fact that no two
OF the railway managers who have
called on him within the past two
weeks have agreed as to just what they
think ought to be done at this time.
and that one OF them even went SO
Tar as to say thas in his opinion, the
least said or done at the White House
the better. Public men in this city.
most Of whom know that the CHER
railway interests are exceedingly
anxious to have President Roosevel.
come to their relief with as much of
the federal power as he can command,
smile when they talk about how i'm.
possible it seems to be for the rail-
road managers to get together on 81
program. President Roosevelt himself
Is inclined to smile, 1t is understood,
when he gives this phase OF the situ-
alton attention.
So marked in this divergence of rail-
! way opinion concerning what the presi-
dent can and should do, that it ex-
plains in part why the quartet of
railway presidents. whose 1 advance
agent ]. Pierpont Morgan was, failed 10
make a White House engagement. They
met in New York, and found them
selves so far apart when it came to
considering any line of specific policy,
that they concluded it would be bet
, ter for them to stay away from Wash
angton. There were other reasons help
Ing them reach this decision, but the
one referred to was not the least in i'm
portance OF the number. Some of the
other reasons already have been re-
Aerred to in this CORES pondence. intra-
state Relating being the CHIEF of them
Nearly all of the railway presidents
IN the east are anxious that the federal
government step in and save them
from the attacks now being made by
state legislatures. On this general
proposition they agree, but when 1t
comes to determining just how itgwill
be best to carry out their general idea,
they are at skies and sevens. This
shows something of the difficulties
which the situation presents, and no
doubt explains why Mr.. Roosevelt,
while it is understood that he believes
in federal control of railway affairs,
does mot care to go on record until he
can have had time to go over the ques
ton with the utmost care, taking the
advice meanwhile Of the great experts
on both sides of the question. Even
In the cabinet, it is understood, opin-
L ion is not unanimous that theAe is a
legal way open for the carrying out of
the presidents tentative policy, while
discordant note has been struck in
the Interstate commerce commission,
j hitherto supposed to be unanimously
I back of the president by Commissioners
Clements. Judge Clements opinion is
no doubt controlled by the fact that he
IS a Georgian and a democrat He was
formerly a member of congress, and is
I strongly impregnated with the states
rights opinions of the old south.
It is said that Secretary Root Is one
( OF the cabinet members who doubts IT
there Is suHlclent law at present. "
tustify the federal government in as
Stunning control over traffic. Attorney
General Bonaparte IL said to incline
toward the Root opinion, but to have
said that he wanted to look into the
matter further before giving the presi-
dent any formal advice.
with this the situation among the
mresfdent's official advisers, and the
members Of his administration most in
terested in the railroad question. it Is
not to be wondered at that he himself
feels called upon to go slow in reach
ing q state Of mind where he will an
t,ounce a definite policy.