New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-17
CONFER ON RAILROADS.
DENEEN At WHITE HOUSE
C. S. MeIIen to See the President
Tuesday-James Speyer's Cal.
- Ths Trlsune pureau.1

IFfom The Tribune Bureau
Washington. March 16-The conferences AZ the
White House this afternoon. in which the Presi-
dent and Governor Deneen and Attorney Gen
eral Stead Of Illinois took part closed a day OF
exciting rumOrs which might have had some ef-
feet OH the stock market had it not been at the
weeks end. As it was. the conflicting reports
merely made interesting gossip for politicians
AID brokers About noon IL was said by one or
two visitors who left the Presidents Office that
he was preparing to issue a letter or memoran-
dunn bearing the financial situation He had
real extracts from such a document il was
said. and the sentiments expressed gave a con-
else and comprehensive idea of his policy tow
ard the railroads. Half an hour later II was an
uounced officially that no statement OF anv sore
would be issued and none had been in contem-
platiun
James Speyer. Of the banking hrm OF Speyer-
& Co, Of New York, was one OF the early call
ers at the White House. He discussed financial
affairs a. some length with the President ana
expressed the belief that the administration'si
attitude toward the railroads met with the
hearty approval OF most conservative men Asl
this was Mr.. Speyers second visit at the White.
House within the last few days his coming was
thought to be the forerunner Of some importance
financial announcement from the Presidents
office
Governor Deneen and Attorney General stsaSl
came after luncheon. at 2:3O. and left the White
House at 3:45 2. m. When the Governor and
his legal adviser ended their conference with
the President they declared that nothing had
occurred which made news" and If there was
anything to be said about it the President was
the one who would say it. Governor Denesn,
and Mr.. Stead left Washington for the West az
3 D. m
Charles s MeIlen. president OF the New York.
& Pail y-fII ~
ceived at the White House at 2:3O D. m. on
Tuesday He telegraphed a request for an inter-
view to the President to-day. asking II It would
be convenient for the Executive to see him
'any day next week after Monday" Secretary
Loeb at once teIegrapheS5 in reply that Tuesday
was open, and set the time at 2:3O D. m. Whether
Mr.. Mellen comes to talk with the President as
the representative Of the conference in New
York with Presidents McCrea OF the PennsyI-
vania Newman OF the New York Central
Hughitt OF the Chicago & Northwestern and
himself, merely wishes to give the President
/ his own personal views. is. OF course. open to
speculation. No hint of Mr.. NIelen's purpose III
/ coming has been received at the White House
Absolutely all that is known IS that he is TO ba
/ there at the time set. So far as can be ascer.
| taned at the White House. Mr. MelIen is the
only one of the railroad presidents who has
| asked for an interview. Mr. MeIIen Is well
Il
! comes to Washington he makes social call on
Mr.. Roosevelt 1t was said at the White House
I late this afternoon that nothing had been heard
| from 2 H. Hartman to his purposed second
| call on the President.
| It was announced at the White House that
| the President wouR5 have a conference with
| Governor Hughes Of New York before the next
| session of Congress The date has not been Sc
| Iected, and it may be postponed until after the
President goes to his home. in oyster Bay. for
his summer vacation.
NO NEW STATEMENT MADE.
The letter or memorandum that the Presi-
dent read this morning TO his callers proved u
be nothing more than some extracts from his
/ speeches and messages on the railroad question
| recently printed in these dispatches. Most OF
the sentiments expressed in these extracts are
as we'll known as anything he has said on the
subject of federal control If his visitors Jumped
at the conclusion that these were new or revot
Iutionary ideas it was through their Unfamfl-
iarity with the Presidents previous announce
ments on the subject. and not because they
were told that anything new had been decided
on in the way OF policy or procedure
THE peculiar mental attitude displayed by
some Of the Presidents visitors is quite inter
/ esting 10 observe" said close friend OF the
| head of the administration to-day. "Ths most
innocent remarks the most trite Of trite phrases.
! that the President may drop are taken up and
| hailed with expressions of delight to suit the
| point OF view of the callers. 1t matters not how
| often the President has said the same things
| before II Is enough that he says il to-day, and
| il can be construed according to the point oE
/ view of the interests the caller represents.
For instance. a railroad man talks with the
/ President. and the President says. as he has
! said a thousand times before. am for the
/ honest railroad man. I believe that he should
| have a lust reward for his investment and en-
\ terpTise.'
| Hal cries the caller. as he leaves the White
| House breathless with excitement. the Presi-
dent has abandoned his attack on the railroads!'
| And within half an hour or half day the news
| papers print in redhot headlines the fact thar
the Presidents railroad policy has been aban-
| done<
I'm comes another caller. representing the
| other side and in the course OF the perfectly
amiabIe and International conversation the Presi-
| dent happens 10 say. as he has often said -
/ fore and viii doubtless say again. The crooked
man of wealth is more dangerous TO the CONF
munity than the crooked poor man. because OF
his ability to buy immunity; he must be pur-
sued and punished reIentlessIy. in spite OF his
wealth.
| "'Hooray.' the enthusiastic visitor cries as
soon as he can get the ear OF sympathetic
listeners: the President is going to send all
the stock manipulators 70 the peuitentjary.'
1T all depends on the point OF view taken
| by the Presidents callers. and their points OF
view just widely separated as you can
/ we'll imagine. That the President is devotiux
a good deal of time to the study of the various
angles of the railroad question Is. Of course.
/ true. He has been studying the matter very