The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-04-04
NATIONAL
CAPITAL
Walkers Letter on the
Passing Show at
Washington.
Continued from yesterday


For the President is very proud to
have the railroads at his feet plead
ing for mercy. He recalls with in
| tense satisfaction the general attitude
of hostility they assumed more than
a year ago when he was leading his
movement for railroad rate regula-
ton. Possibly the President would not
approve of the word 'gloating'' in this
connection, but he certainly feels like
rejecting upon past railroad events
and drawing comparisons.
He has said recently that he may
eventually give out a statement of his
own position with reference to the de-
velopments which demonstrate to his
mind the necessity for more law. He
prepared a letter January "a last to
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
setting forth the evils of over-capital-
ization and dwelling upon the neces-
sity for federal franchises and federal
appraisement The President was dis
suaded then from sending the letter to
the commission. Lately he has resur-
rected it and within a few days has
read it to few of his most intimate
friends. He wanted to read 1t to the
railroad presidents if they had come
settled business conditions the Presi-
dent has been urged not to let this
letter Of January "a reach the public.
His advisers tell him that he can not
say too little just now about federal
appraisement and federal franchises.
They point out to him that, although
averted temporarily, public confidence
has been shaken in financial condi-
lions and that the crash in Wall street
last week will be felt for many weeks
to come.
The President is embarking on
generally plan for sounding the senti-
ment of the country about railroad
questions. Mr.. Mellen, of the New
Haven, is coming here this week for
a conference. Some think this inde-
pendent entirely of Mr. Morgans prop
osition but it is said that Mr.. Mellen's
visit may be only a forerunner of
visit by other railroad presidents.
Mr.. Mellen was not invited to Wash
lngton. but the President has begun to
invite here persons with whom he
wishes to talk on railroad matters. He
intends to find out what the sentiment
franchises and to learn the attitude
Of legislatures about surrendering their
power to regulate rates and otherwise
declare what railroads can Or can not
do within State boundaries.
The President is not going to call a
conference of governors in his quest /
for this information, but he proposes |
10 talk with several governors as well |
rs with other representative citizens of |
various States. He has already invit- |
I'd Gov. Deneen, of Illinois here. |
They had a talk Saturday which was |
shrouded in great secrecy but which |
- TepOrleu TO nave Deen quite as much |
ibout plans for booming Secretary |
Taft for the presidency as it was about |
'ailroad matters. The President has |
stated also that he expects to call Gov
Hughes, of New York, in conference |
before long to talk with him about |
abroad conditions in the Empire |
State. There is a suspicion that he |
viii also talk with the Governor |
about the prospects of securing the
Dig delegation from New York to the |
1ext National Convention for his /
friend, Secretary Taft.
The President is going to press his |
abroad propaganda all the time be-
Ween now and the converting Of Con-
sress in December. He is well aware
hat this is to be the last great appeal
lie, as President, will make to the peo-
de. The Sixtieth Congress will pass
10 important general legislation at the
hort session of 190S-1909. Its big work
must be done at the long session, pre-
eding the presidential election. And
70, as the situation clears a little, that
lie may put out his views boldly with