Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-20
NELLEN At WHITE HOUSE
Railroad President Spends Half an Hour
with Chief Executive,
Mr., ROOSEVELT MAY MAKE STATEMENT
studying Question from All sides, hut
Makes IL Clear that His Con-
versatiOns Must Not he
Quoted.

/ WASHINGTON, March 1s.-The interview
between President Roosevelt and Charles
S. Mellen, president of the New York. New
Haven & Hartford railroad, recently ar
ranged for the purpose Of discussing the
railroad situation, took place at the White
House today. 1t lasted not more than
thirty-ave minutes. No statement Of the
questions discussed was made at the White
/ House, and Mr.. Mellen declined to talk.
Mr.. Mellen said he did not expect to visit
/ the White House for another conference
with the president unless he was sent for.
Mr.. Mellen's visit was the outcome Of a
call made to the White House last by j.
/ Z. Morgan. the New York financler, who
came TO Washington at the request Of
many business men to discuss the present
business situation, particularly as affecting
! the railroads
The visit of Mr. Mellen followed the con-
ference he had several days ago with Presi-
dents McCrea, Newman and Hughitt of
the Pennsylvania, New York Central and
Chicago & Northwestern railroads respect
! lively. These four were the names sug-
gested to Mr.. Roosevelt by Mr.. Morgan. 1t
is not known at the White House whether
Messrs. McCrea, Newman and Hughltt will
visit Mr.. Roosevelt. The president will see
them If they come.
Visits from Many MaEnntes.
During the past three weeks President
Roosevelt has had visits from half a dozen
well-known financiers and railroad men,
with all of whom he has discussed various
phases of the railroad situation. These in
clude: ]. p. Morgan, James Speyer of New
York, President Stickney Of the Chicago
Great Western; b. f. Yoakum, chairman
of the board of directors of the Rock
Island; L. II. Hartman of the Union Pa
cifc, and Charles s. Mellen of the New
York, New Haven s. Hartford railroad
All of these persons have made specific
recommendations Incorporating their ideas
on the question whether the president
should recommend additional railway
legislation, and most Of them have urged
him to make a statement defining his atti
tude in explicit terms, with view to al
laying public apprehension. Generally
there has been but little approach t
unanimity in these recommendations, H,
has referred his callers who want informa
ton as to his attitude to his public decla
rations on this general subject and has tolC
them that he means to be consistent will
} what he has already said.
Supervision of stock Issues.
The president says frankly that he Il
learning all he can regarding the railroad
situation and that he intends to continu,
to consult with railroad people and other
on the subject. 1t is understood he 4
making inquiries some points pertaining
|, to federal supervision and control of tn
, railroads, to the question OF an appra.i Sc
ment of the physical valuation OF sucl
properties, and to the matter of issue o
y tyar oP TIA -,
last named, he regards It as perfectl
proper and he sees no objection to a prope
issue of obligations for equipment, ter
minals and betterment but thinks ther
. should be a careful scrutiny to see what
= done with the proceeds of stocks an
bonds issued for such purposes.
The president has not reached any flna
determination as to whether he will max
. any recommendations to congress for legis
lation on any Of these matters.
= May Make "A Statement.
Z The president has made It plain to hl
s callers that he cannot be expected to out
line his policy in informal talks with ther
s and that differences as to his attitud
h must not be drawn from what he says 1
$ these casual talks.
o When he has made up his mind and
r ready to tell the public just what his att
n tude is on particular questions and spe
cihcally on the railroad issue, he will d
so In a speech or in a message to con
= gress. Some expressions from him ar
, expected on the railroad question durin
the next few months. The president
scheduled TO make four speeches betwee
now and the middle of June, and It is ez
pected that he will have something to sa
on the railroad question in one Of thes
speeches.
: President Mellen left for New Englan
3 at $50 this evening.
$ MINApAHIIA ATrAnKc nnAc.