The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1907-04-05
RAILROAD QUESTION
President Reviews His Atti-
tude on Their Control.
WiLL NOT SPEAK At SPRINGFIELD
Experience Has shown IL Is NOT f"s-
sibIe to Leave Big Lines WIN
ont sapervisiOn-The Laws
Need Amendment.

Need Amendment.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-President |
Roosevelt has decided not to accept the
invitation of the Illinois Manufactur-
ers' association to deliver a speech at
Springfield. H., on the railroad situa-
tion. He has addressed a letter 10 -
II Smith. president of the association
stating that it will be impossible Tor
him to accept the invitation, extended
last week. because he does not feel that
he has anything TO say at this time ID
n special address on this special SUD
ject.
The president has received a great
number Of requests for a statement by
him or a speech TO be made by him ih
connection with the railway SITUATION
He has given these requests the UTMOST
velaht and most careful consideration
After fully looking into the matter the
president Informed his advisers that ne
had come TO the conclusion that there
was nothing new which he had TO say
at This moment on the railway situa-
t,on that he did not deem 1t either wise
or proper to say anything with a view
70 anv immediate situation In wan
street and that he should only give ex-
nrosslon 10 the definite and settled
nol,cv 70 be carried out wholly without
reaard to the exlgencies Of the moment
and as his views on the policy in ques-
tion were already a matter Of record II
ala not seem necessary at this time TO
repeat them. s
To the different men, friendly ana
unfr,endly. who have visited him OF
written TO him he has answered verbal
" or in writing that his words and acts
smoke for themselves and needed no eA.
nianatlons whatever and that he should
not in his future course deviate one
hands breadth from the course he mas
pursued in the past and was now pur-
suing.
nresident again will ask congress at
It's next session for power to deal Win
the question Of overcapitalization OF
railroads. A similar request was haue
ot the last session, but favorable ac-
tjon was not taken upon II.
The statement was also made from
On authoritative source that "eyen a
most cursory examination Of what the
president has repeatedly said In speech
and in message will show the utter
nonsense Of suppOsing the government
has the slightest intention TO take any
action which would invalidate the saie
tv and stability Of the railway securl
tics now issued, the whole legislative
programme Of the president having
boon nroclaimed again and again as
one to insure the future against th'
mistakes and delinquencies Of the past
II was further pointed out In ADMIN
tstrotive circles that the president has
made no references in his speeches OF
messages 10 the question of the physi
col valuation OF railroads. His posi-
=. tlon on this question, 1t was sald' l.
= that the roads themselves Will worl
: ont this problem as an item OF book
, Looming. and reference was mace Il
I the fact that two roads, the Northerl
!. Pacific and the Great Northern, al
= ready have submitted figures as L
G their valuations.
r. The president speaking on the rail
e road question at Raleigh, &C, SAID i
& part
y 81 do not believe In government OWL
r ership of anything which can win pre-
nrlety be left in private hands. ana
particular l should most strenuouSl
object TO government ownership q
l. railroads. But believe with equ'
10 ermness that It is out Of the questio
Is for the government not to exercise
k. supervisory and regulatory right owe
10 tbe railroads. for it is vital to the we
y being Of the public that they shoul
" he managed In a spirit OF fairness an
Y. Justice toward oil the public.
IT actual experience has shown that
NJ is not possible TO leave the raiiroa,
ly uncontrolled. Such a system or, rat
as or such a lack of system, Is fertile
abuses OF everv kind and nuts nr