Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-08-17
IALk With HARRlMAS
MagAate Says His Policy is to Make
Roads Pay Dividends.
HE LOOKS AFTER FINANCES
Others Operate Trains and Look
After Traffic.
AGITATION DELAYS PROGRESS
Discussion Of Abuses, He Says, Inter
feres with Improvements.
BE MAY ANSWER QUESTIONS
Says Refusal 60 Give Information
About Alton Deal was Based
Upon Reasons of
Policy.
AGITATION DELAYS PRoGREs:
Discussion Of Abuses, He Says, Inter
feres with improvements.
he MAY ANSWER QUESTIONS

RENO, New, Aug. ls-"An Of the rail-
roads in the country would be mine II
could get control OF them" said Edward
II. Hartman to a reporter for the State
Journal on his arrival At Sparks. New. the
division terminal, yesterday in the course
OF an interview, during which he discussed
his work and his ambitions.
~ have been quoted seriously for an ex-
preston made joculsrly. to the effect that
: would manage the railroads for the fed
eral government that I would turn my
holdings over to the United states for a
fair compensation and act then as a COM
missioner" Mr.. Hartman continued. But
] am misunderstood. The time has not
come for federal ownership, Personally
with all the lines in my possession would
be better suited.
Remarlking that since Mr. Hartman does
not yet own all the railroads of the coun-
try. statement OF his policy in the light
OF the renewed agitatfon for more drastic
regulation by the federal government with
respect to those he does own, would be Of
interest, the reporter asked:
What is your policy concerning the man
agement OF the railroads we are told you
ownf
1T is to pay dividends came the de-
cisive answer. ''since 1885 we have spent
3s0o.0c0.o0O for improvements. We want
some returns. Don't you think We are en-
titled to returns from such an expendi-
tureH Mine. then. il a financial policy.
watch that end OF the game. Other mat
tsrs are left to the officials connected with
them. There is not much to that policy
except to make a good investment better.
Results. they bring success
Agitation Delays Progress.
Agitation OF the abuses on the railroads
makes harder the accomplishment of local
Improvement. Facts that in themselves are
Insignificant are magnifed and distorted by
BE public and to uA 1t u the spirit OF
w age-and the newspapers-so what can
we dor
why did you not answer the questions
put 10 you by tina Interstate Commerce
commission. ana will you answer them
when the proceedings brought by the De-
partrpent OF Justice force you to appear
for the second timer the reporter asked.
Il refused to tell what 1 knew about
the Chicago q Alton purchase because the
auestions put to me dealt with matters
OF policy" Mr.. Hartman replied.
Some OF them would not answer any
more than you would II asked from whom
you bought your spspenders or how much
you paid for your shirt 1 could not, to be
specific. answer ali the questions in justice
20 Dey associates in the purchase.
But now that the proceedings have been
started to get these replies. I viii prob
ohey not refuse again. Queries directed at
ne IN connection with the Chicago & Al.
ton case will perhaps result IN the an
swers desired by the Interstate Commerce
commission. 1t was a business principle
involved that prevented me from answering
questions may answer when the matter
comes UP again"
VIII Develop the west.
In closing the interview Mr.. Hartman
declared that in the future the policy OF
his roads In the matter of rates, exten.
sions. ETC., win be to develop the state OF
Nevada and the entire western territory
through both the north and south lines
Mr.. Hartman positively declined to dis
cuss politics.
Continuing he said that San Francisco
was the natural tidewater terminal or
the Pacinc coast and nothing could dislodgs
It from tnat position.
'-rhe railroads and the capital center
there" he said. land despite the effort,
I, toward that end. neither Seattle, Oakland
nor any other city viii ever be able ts