The Washington herald., 1907-06-02
HARTMAN CASE NEXT
White House Conference to
Determine Procedure.
TIME FOR ACTION ARRIVES
Presidents Advisers Said to he Di-
vided on Question-IBterstate Com
Consider Subject-Eyidence 10 BE
Sent to Department of Justice.

A conference Of great Importance bear
ing upon the Hartman case will be held
in Washington this week. 1t will then be
known whether the administration in
tends to go after Mr. Hartman and his
railroads through the medium Of the
Sherman antitrust act, or intends TO let
the railroad magnate and his associates
continue on their way rejoicing.
President Roosevelts indianapolis speech,
in its bearing upon the Hartman consoli-
dation, is open 10 two interpretations.
Some people declare that it was conserva-
tive in tone. and that the Presidents as
sertion that railroads should be permitted
in law as we'll as in practice. 10 acquire
the stock or bonds Of connecting. but not
parallel lines, was tanramount 10 a notice
that the government would not proceed
against Hartman.
Others are equally emphatic in their
statements that the President at Indian
apoIs showed that he was still on the
firing line and that /; was his purpose 10
use the "big stick on Mr. Hartman
tAhf toE AfAAbh
But the time for speculation has passed.
The record in the Hartman case is made
vr. and at the conference that will be
held at the White House this week
decision viii be reached showing the in
teutions Of the administration toward
Hartman and the men associated with
+ him. Opinions vary rs 10 what the Pres
idert VII, do in the matter, and when Mr.
Roosevelt gathers his advisers around
him De will find that they are divided on
the question of the adyisabIlity Of pro-
loodiug against Hartman IN The courts
There are members of the Interstate
Commerce Commission who are insistent
that nothing except criminal prosecution
end the imposition Of sentences of im-
prIs1nment will put an end 10 such flag
rant violations Of the antitrust law as
was disclosed in the inquiry into the
operations ~ the Hartman railroads.
Other members of the commission will
tell the President that the evidence in
hand is not strong enough % Justify the
administration in omharkiug upon a pro
+ jert Co smash Hartman. These are
f tho conservatives who believe that a vast
de1, of good has been accomplished I'm eX-
posing the manipUlations OF Hartman,
and who are inclined 90 the belief that If
Dee were hailed into the courts on "a CTimi-
nal charge % state Of uncertainty and
unrest would az once be manifested
Throughout the business and commercial
world.
Hartman Case ms Lesson.
rr.--f...--, 1900. o.. T---.,.-
they argue. and pass well considered
laws IN order 10 prevent in the future
+ the sort OF stock j0bb.ng and mauipUia-
tion at which Hartman and his col
leagues have been SO successful during
1 the past few years.
I In a word. when the President consults
I the Interstate Commerce Commission he
. viii be advised. on the one hand to pros
erute. and on the other, not TO prosecute.
There are four. and possibly five. trans
actions ~ Mr.. Hartman against which,
10 is alleged successful prosecution can
I De waged. These are first. the traffic
agreement under which the san Pedro
and Southern Pacific maintained the same
/ rates charges. and cl8sslhCatiOns en- COM
pat.ng business. second. the arrang ment
whereby the Union Pacific and the Rock
Island alternately took over control of
E the operation OF the Chicago and Alton,
third q Ike arrangement between the
Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe in the
control of the Northwestern Pacific. q
road running uorthwaVd from San Fran
cisco. fourth, the agreement between the
Illinois Central and the Alton. these
roads paraIelug each other from the
/ Missouri River 20 Chicago.
An Of these agreements or contracts
/ are declared by certain officials 20 have
. been made I'm direct violation OF the law
aimed az combinations I'm restraint Of
trade The fifth transaction relates 90
an alleged agreement between the South
ern Pacific and the Union Pacific. The
/ legal advisers Of the government have
{ not decided whether these roads are COM
petinE within the meaning Of the Ian
+ guagc Of the sherman act.
Developments Expected Soon,
/ The indications are that the Interstate
/ Commerce Commission will formally con-
slider the Hartman case al its regular
weekly meeting tomorrow. Frank J.
T Kellogg. special counsel for the commits
sion, will appear before IL for consulta-
tion Later in the week the Hartman
case VIII come in for serious considera-
+ tion at the White House.
/ The statement is made upon the au-
/ thoritv of q member Of the commission
/ that all the evidence collected during the
/ progress of the Hartman case will be
sent to the Department cf Justice with
out any request from the Attorney Cen
eral for it,
4 As heretofore stated. the disposition Of
/ the proceeding against Mr. Hartman Will
he decided los the President after fun and
/ free conference with his Cabinet. Before
/ 90 is formally taken M by the Cabinet
/ however. the case will be thrashed ont by
/ the President with the Attorney General.
. the Interstate Commerce Commissioners,
and the special counsel for the commits
sion Important developments in connec-
ton with the case are expected 20 occur
. before tho end Of the week.
MARRIAGE LICENSES.