Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-08
Hartman Says That
the Government
Acted Hastily
In the Future Railroads
Will Receive JUS
tice, He Says
In Glowing Terms President of Union
Pacific Paints Picture of "Harri-
mans Cooperation" with
the Public
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
NEW YORK, March TT am ready
to make the advancement of a scheme
of cooperation between the govern
ment and the railways my chief inter-
est" said e. H. Hartman, president
Of the Union Pacific railroad, on re-
turning today from Washington.
Mr.. Hartman declined to talk about
the report that he had obtained con-
troll of the Reading railroad. Speaking
of agitation against corporate wealth
he said:
They've, all of us-should have
considered the possible effects of this
agitation before it was begun or be-
fore conditions that made it's growth
possible were allowed to continue. If
we had all met on common ground and
co-operated for our mutual benefit no.
body would be worrying over the situa-
tion as it is today.
I'VE all made a mistake in this. I
realize the mistake and believe the
administration at Washington is be-
ginning to realize that 1t has been a
little too radical in its attitude toward
the railroads. Henceforth I look to see
its opposition take on more of the spirit
of cooperation. 1 believe the railways
can expect to receive more even-handed
justice.
Now See the Point
I'VE men at the head of the great COR
porations on our part are coming to a
better understanding of what the gov
ernment expects of us. We are Begin
ming to get the point of view of the ad-
ministration. We feel that now all Of
us-the public, the government and the
railways-are on common gorund
where we can deal with each other in
the right spirit.
"I am more than willing to give my
support to such process of enlighten-
ment. I'm ready to make the advance
ment of such a scheme of cooperation
my chief interest. Surely there could
be few conditions imaginable that
would be of wider benefit than to elm
mate hostile friction.
Railroad managers have, 1 am will
ing to admit, in the past neglected to
build up a strong harmonious relation
ship between themselves and with the
government and the public.
"This matter has been left to sub
ordinate officers and the result has
been that such relations have been
completely neglected. Now we must
take the matter in our hands in order
to bring about better understanding
and cooperation.
Public Not Deserted
"Our policy in the past has been
mistaken one, but 1t cannot be said that
we have neglected our service to the
public. When one considers what the
railroads have done to develop this
nation we cannot believe they have
been anything but beneficial. The mar
Velous development of the country has
been due in a very large degree to the
enterprise of it's railroads.
"Since the time 1 took hold of the
system of railroads of which 1 am the
head $3.50, 100000 has been expended in
rebuilding the roads. That has all been
done since 1900. AS another instance
of what the railroads are doing to add
to the general prosperity of the nation
I'll tell you that the roads of which
am the head purchased about one mil
lion tons of steel rails yearly, and DUR
ing that period we purchased about
1000 900 ties. All of this. adds to the
welfare of the nation and the develop
ment work which the railroads have
done has in some cases resulted In the
building up Of so large a traffic that
they are unable to handle 1t.
Combinations a Benefit
Coordination really benefits the pub
lie. The public may think otherwise,
but it will learn the real truth in time.
That time will come sooner If combina-
tions are legalized. I believe in control
and regulation, as declared before the
interstate commerce commission. but
think that With nthe limit of such con-
troll corporations ought to be allowed
to combine as they find 1t necessary or
beneficial"
Mr.. Hartman said that railroads had
been frequently at fault because of their
failure to live up to traffic agreements.
In this way there had come lack of
confidence among railroad men and the
public naturally grew to lose confidence
I'm their acts.
Restrictive legislation, Mr.. Hartman
thought, must tend to reduce dividends
unless met in some other way.
The fact is plain, he said, that there
is lack of confidence by capital He
cited the price paid by the New York,
New Haven e Hartford Railroad COM
pany for its recent loans in France.
AS to the money outlook Mr.. Harri-
man said the prestn tension Is bound to
reast on industrial cooperation.
II knew In general way of an all
round movement to reduce expenses.
That's common sense" he said. "As
for our own roads, we are making our
business more compact and trying to
conduct traffic at less cost. We may
have to come to higher freight rates"
Mr.. Hartman then took up the Chi
cago g. Alton reorganization. He said
that considering the conditions which
existed at the time the road had not
been overcapitalized.