Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-12
PLANS FOR A CONFERENCE
Four Railway Presidents Coming to
Washington.
DATE NOT YET DETERMINED
Action Urged to Allay Public Anxiety
Regarding the Safety of Rail-
way Investments.

J. Pierpont Morgan, the New York finan-
cier, came to Washington in his private
car last night and went Immediately to the
White House, where he was in conference
with President Roosevelt for more than
two hours. The object of Mr.. Morgan's
visit was to urge the President to take
some action to "allay the public anxiety
now threat ening to obssruct railroad invest
ments and construction. Mr.. Morgan
pointed out to the President that the finan-
cial interests of the country are greatly
alarmed at the attitude of the administra-
ton toward corporations and particularly
the railroads.
At Mr.. Morgan's earnest request PreSi-
dent Roosevelt has agreed to have a con-
ference with four leading railroad presi-
dents-Messrs. McCrea of the Pennsylvania,
Newman Of the New York Central, Mellen
Of the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford and Hughitt of the Chicago and
Northwestern-to determine If some agree
ment can be reached as to the relations
between the railroads and the administra-
ton. It is probable, that E. H. Hartman,
head Of the Hartman lines, may also par
ticipate in the conference. which. 1t is UNI
derstood, will take place at the White
House some time the latter part of this
week. After boarding his train. shortly
after mlOnlRAt, TO return 10 view 1oTh, MI
Morgan dictated the following statement:
Mr.. Morgan's Statement.
eat the request of many business men.
before leaving for Europe, came to Wash
ington to see the.President to, discuss the
present business situation, particularly as
affecting the railroads. suggested to the
President that it would be. greatly in the
public interest if he would see Mr.. Nc
:crea. Mr.. Newmans Mr.. Mellen and Mr..
Hughitt and confer with them as to what
steps might be taken to allay the public
anxiety as to the relations between the
railroads and the government. The, Presi-
dent said he would be glad to see. the gen..
tlemen named, with this end in view"
B. F. Yoakum, chairman of the board of
directors of the Chicago Rock Island and
Pacific railroad. also had an interview with
Interstate commerce commission regarding
the railroad situa ton. He told President
Roosevelt that the agitation and legislation
in various states regarding 2-cent fares and
effect of making it almost impossible for
the railroads to- negotiate loans ION their
securities. and be declared that 'the rail-
road men are willing that the supervision
tonai government as s ' Thas he 'a add ed
would restore confidence and give the PEG.
pie to understand that the railroads wisi,
to observe the laws, and It would stop the
hostile legislation In various states"
No Date for the Conference.
: Secretary Loeb said today that no date
has yet been fixed for the conference the
four railroad presidents will have with
President Roosevelt, according to the ar
rangement made last night by ]. Pierpont
Morgan. He supposes that when the men
who will attend the conference have fixed
upon a time that is suitable to them they
will wire the White House asking If the
time Is agreeable to the President.
those at the conference is not known His
participation In it was not arranged by
Mr. Morgan last night, and IL he gets In
1t will be by desire of the others who Will
be received. The White House has seen
q good deal In the papers about Mr.. Harri-