Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Senator Hansbrough Tells of
His Interview.
NO GOVERNORS INVITED
None Have Been Asked to Discuss
Railroad Legislation.
JUDGE SUFFERS APPOINTMENT
Ohio Selection Will Probably Bring on
a Hard Fight-Both Senators
to Oppose Him.

YES" said Senator Hansbrough, after
he had talked with the President today, II
came here to find out who is going to be
made the republican nominee for the presi-
dency next year. l told the President that
had seen the story that he had picked
Secretary Taft and was seeking support
for his candidate, and that 1 would like to
be in on the secret if 1t was true. The
President told me frankly that there was
not single word of truth in the whole
story; that presidential or national politics
were not even mentioned or thought Of In
the conference he had had with Gov. De-
neen or Attorney General Stead of Illinois
and that the subject was altogether diff
ferent.
lit struck me as very absurd story, as
the President is entirely too shrewd in
politics, If he favors a candidate for the
nomination, to spring him now. 1 imagine
that If the President really has candidate
he will wait until the convention to make
known his plans and wishes. AS his friends
will unquestionably control the convention,
from the way things look now, he would
have little difficulty in Withholding his plans
until that time. 1 did not. however, seek
to find out what the Presidents future plans
are. 1 doubt if he has made them so far
ahead, as much may happen in the next
fifteen months"
From an authoritative source it is learned
that the story Of the conference in The Star
Sunday morning was the correct one. The
President wanted to ascertain from Gov.
Deneen and his attorney general what the
state Of Illinois is doing with reference to
the admissions OF E. H. Hartman as to
the now celebrated Alton railroad deal. Up
to this time the administration has found
that 1t cannot legally proceed against the
railroad magnate. The Department of JUS
tice is still making a careful analysis of the
testimony of Mr.. Hartman and of corrobo-
rative facts in it's possession to ascertain II
the courts can be invoked, but the pros
poets are not considered good, and the Pres
ident hopes that the laws Of Illinois will
permit that state to institute proceedings,
either civil or criminal, that will result sue
cessfully. In keeping after Mr.. Hartman
the President is said not to feel that he is
doing anything that should c,use alarm
among the legitimate railroad interests Of
the country. 1t is not the properly con-
Quoted railroads that he is after, he tells
those who call upon him and touch upon
the subject. He is DESTROYS, too, that the
country should join him in trying to draw
the line clearly between honest and hon.
orably conducted railroad corporations and
those handled in suspicious way.
No Governors invited.
It is stated at the White House today
that no governors of states have been
asked to come here to discuss state legis-
lation as to railroads. Neither Gov. Hughes
of New York nor Gov. Hanley of Indiana
has been communicated with by the Presi-
dent Gov. Hanley is to deliver a lecture
in Pennsylvania in a few days and it is
said to be probable that he may come on to
Washington to talk with tie President on
different matters. The White House has
no information as to a coming conference
of governors and the interstate commerce
commission, in which the President is to be
asked to attend, although 1t is noticed in
the newspapers that Gov. Johnson of
Minnesota is wiring to various governors
for their opinion to what is best to be
done.
President Charles s. Mellen of the New
York, New Haven and Hartford railroad
has been in conference with President
Roosevelt this afternoon as to the railroad
situation. The conference began at 2:30