The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-20
MELLEN RECEIVED
BY THE PRESIDENT
ooNTINuED FRoM FIRsT PAGE.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE
and, while he still holds that
if certain OF his recommendations in re-
gard to railroads had been enacted into
law there would be no trouble on the
part Of railroad corporations in getting
money TO carry on improvements to meet
the great growth of commerce, he is /
going 10 look into the matter carefully to
see just what ought 10 be done.
Mr.. Rooseveit has entered upon a pol
icy that is not encouraging TO those who
go to the White House to learn his plans
for the future. According TO those in
his confidence. he has determined not to
tell anybody or everybody WHO calls on
him, even az his own request, what his
intentions are with regard TO important
economic legislation. 1t is said by these
eonfdants that this decision on the Pres
ident's part is born of the TACT that men
in high standing in the country have.
through misunderstanding, gone away
from the White House with entirely erro-
neous impressions of what the President
had in his mind, and have thrown out
hints that have given the country the
wrong cue and put It on the wrong track.
NOt Disclosing Views.
The assertion is msde, therefore. on
the best of authority. that disclosures Of
the Presidents intentions on pending
questions of import zee to the financial
and railway worlds made by visitors to
the White House or Sycamore Hin should
not be credited, for the reason that Mr.,
Roosevelt intends to preserve a discreet
silence as TO his views to all visitors. and
If he has anything of Importance TO say
he will say 1t in a formal way, or In such
a manner through the press as to leave
no doubt of its authenticity.
By some of those who have talked with
him, the impression has been gained that
the Presidents mind is in a receptive
mood; that he IS seeking ideas. not ex-
pressing them He has said nothing, 1t
is asserted, that indicates radicalism, nor
yet that he has become conservative
He is the interviewer. not the interviewed.
When enc OF his visitors stops to think.
after leaving the Executive presence,
what il was that the President said. he
finds that there was nothing communi-
Gated by the Chief Executive of the ma
ton than can be construed as an indica-
ton of future intention
AIagnates Not In Accord.
It was declared yesterday in a thor
oughly-informed quarter that there has
been no consistency of ideas expressed
by those who have talked with the Presi-
dent recently as 10 the methods that
should be adopted to bring about "a
change for the better in the conditions
confronting the railroads. II was supposed
here that IL was the idea OF ]. p. Morgan
that the four railroad presidents whose
names he suggested 10 Mr.. Roosevelt as
having views worthy of consideration
should get together and determine upon
recommendations to be made to the
President for producing a better railroad
situation But only one of the four has
taken advantage of this opportunity, and
while he may have told Mr.. Roosevelt
what the three others believes should be
done, there are indications that the Presi-
dent would have been impressed by hear
ing all four express the same views. thus
showing that several great railway men
We're in entire accord on the policies
which they believe he would do well to
follow.
It was said in well-infonaed circles
yesterday that different opinions as to
remedies for existing conditions have been
expressed by the hnancieTs, railroad men,
and others. who have talked with the
President lately, and that this was likely
10 lead 10 confusion IN the President s
mind as to just what was desired by
industrial interests and representatives
OF the people to bring about a change
for the better. However. the President
has only just begun his inquiries. and
between now and the assembling of Con-
gress there will be opportunity for him
to hear. as he IS apparently anxious TO
hear. from any set of individuals OF
/ organizations that have Identical views
or are able to determine upon sugges-
lions which all will indcrse.
Governor johnson Interested.
That the possibility of clash between
State and Federal laws regarding railroad
/ regulation is attracting attention through
/ out the country is indicated by numerous
/ letters on the subject which have been
received here. One OF these letters came
/ from Gov. Johnson, of Minnesota Mr.
! johnson, in common, apparently. with nu-
/ merous others, has the impression that
the administrator plan is TO conduct q
campaign having for its purpose the TAX
/ ing over of all railroad regulation by the
! Federal government. leaving nothing al
all in that line to the States
/ That impression is not warranted by the
/ facts. of course, and the circumstance
that it is entertained by such intelligent
and able men as Gov. Johnson indicates
the obvious injustice to everybody con
ceTned of drawing conclusions from
casual statements which are merely at
tributed TO the President, and in many
cases wrongfully so. Because the speech
! or message in which the President
will outline his views will be the frs
authoritative announcement on the sub.
ject it will be awaited with unusual in
terest.
MelIen Calls on ]. c. c.
BehOre going to White House yester
day Mr.. Mellen called at the offices of tn,
Interstate Commerce Commission and hae
a talk of considerable duration Will
Chairman Knapp whom he has known
many years.
The call was made in response TO al
Invitation from the commission. Recent,