New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-14
WILL HEAR ROADS PLEA
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY.
Suggestion That He Nay Make
Statement on the Subject.
IFrom TIE Tribune Bureau.l


Egyptian Sphinx, President Roosevelt has re-
ceived ]. Pierpont Morgan. and is prepared to
receive any railway officials that Mr.. Morgan
wishes to have come to Washington to confer
with him
The recent visit of Mr.. Morgan to the White
House, the visit of Mr.. Yoakum and the pro-
posed conference with several railway presi-
dents have combined to whet the public appe-
tite for news regarding the desires Of the rail-
way and the intentions of the President
and to-day he submitted to interview WIN
a number of Washington correspondents who
pumped categorical questions at him with the
rapldity Of Gatling gun. The President re-
piled t6 all questions with a smile and with
certain frankness, but his answers were more
of the nature of intimations than statements
All he would permit his interlocutors to say
to the public as coming from him was that he
ignorant as they Of the objects which
his railway callers sought TO attain, that he
could not be expected to answer Hypothetical
questions. that he had seen no reason for de-
waiting from the policies outlined in his public
speeches and messages to Congress. and that
he would give the most careful consideration TO
any suggestions which the railway presidents
and officials might care to submit
PRESIDENT STANDING PAT"
The fact is the President is standing pat
He holds an excellent hand in the game OF
proper federal control of the railways, and he
does not purpose 10 show a single card until tho
representatives of the railways lay their cards.
all Of them. on the table face up. The President
has on numerous occasions assured prominent
railway men, he has assured the public that
he is the hest friend the honest railways ever
had, and he is prepared to reiterate that asser-
tion to-day with smile that will prove con-
yi0oiur- Ia ba rail md
Ing 70 the man whose methods will not bear
scrutiny The President has long been of the
opinion and has often enuncsated IL. that honest
corporations will thrive better under the bright
sun Of publicity than they possibly in the
shade Of whole or even partial secrecy.
The President listens with willing ear TO the
representations of his railway callers. and he
Will continue 70 do so. He rather likes 10 de-
scribe himself In a purely receptive attitude.
He has outlined certain policies, and any propO-
sitions which will not square with those policies
will be rejected. Perhaps It is a knowledge OF
that fact which renders the calls Of the railway
men somewhat embarrassing. which makes it so
difficult for them frankly 70 formulate their de-
sires OF course, II may be simply the magni-
tude of the subject which leads them 20 express
themselves with the utmost caution.
The President insists that he is the friend Of
the railways. and there are some indications
that the railways appreciate that he Is
better friend than they knew and possibly
greet that they did not appreciate this when they
were fighting the enactment OF the railway rate
law. The extent Of tho Presidents friendship
for them is well illustrated by a conversation
with him which is related by a certain mem
her Of Congress. 1t was early in the session
which enacted the railway rate law that this
man called at the White House.
N-6,r AcAINcr DArTPOAOS
Mr. President. the people Of my state are
for you because you are against the railways"
said the member
Then the people of your state understand
the situation crookedly," promptly replied the
President II am not against the railways
am their best friend. l am only against dis
honest railway methods. When a corporation.
railway or any other kind. is dishonest in its
methods I would cinch it until it looked like
an hourglass When the railways do business
honestly l their best friend. | for them
all the time. All l ask is that they give every
man square deal
And. my friend let me you against
tho man who is against the railroads. There is
no more dangerous man than the demagogue
who is against the railways. who makes capt.
tai out Of his opposition, and who dare not op-
pose those who would treat them unjustly be-
tics. his reputation for being against them.
That man is the real danger TO the community.
for in time the railways. If they treated un-
justly. will excite public sympathy and the tide
Will turn. And when II turns the railways will
be permitted to treat the public unjustly be-
cause they viii have to be regarded as
the under dog No not against the rail-
ways But am against certain dishonest meth
ods. and those l hope TO make unpopular
that they will come to be entirely eliminated
from the conduct of the railroads of this coun-
try"
Whether II VIII he necessary for the federal
government 10 undertake supervision of the
stock and hond transactions of the railways in
order TO accomplish the complete elimination of
dishonest methods remains to he seen. but mas
much the President has set his goal at this
complete elimination of dishonesty, he will not
hesitate to advocate such control if other meth
DDS fail
POSSIBILITY OF PANIC
The suggestion has been made TO the President
that further prosecution of his policy of federal
control of railways may lead to Il general panic.
II there are good reasons for this belief the
President is prepared to consider them. Thus
.,.,,e I,,,,