Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-16
GIVE EN- TO Me-"
CRIES HARTMAN
He'd Grab All Roads if 'TWere
Possible, He Says.
FEDERAL CONTROL? NO!
Magnate Thinks He'll Be Good and
Answer Questions.
DISCUSSES FUTURE POLICY
But Gracefully Dodges All Mention Of
Politics-Bouquet for San
Francisco.
FEDERAL CONTROL? NO!
DISCUSSES FUTURE POLICY

RENO. New. August 16-"An of the rail-
roads in the country would be mine II
could get control of Them" said Edward H
Hartman to a newspaper man at Sparks,
New, yesterday.
Il have been quoted seriously for an ex-
preston made joculariy to the effect that
1 would manage the railroads for the fed
eral government; that I would turn my
holdings over to the United States for fair
| compensation and &C, then as a commits
sioner. But am misunderstood. The time
has not come for federal ownership Per-
sonally. with all the lines in my possession.
1 would be better suited"
Remarking that. since Mr.. Hartman does
not yet own all the railroads of the coun-
try, statement of his policy, in the light
of the renewed agitation for more drastic
regulation by the federal government with
interest, the reporter asked:
What is your policy concerning the man
agement of the railroads that we are told
you own"
Dividends" His Policy.
cit is to pay Dividends" came the de-
cisive answer. "Since 1898 we have spent
$500, 100000 for improvements We want
some returns Don't you think we are en-
| titled to returns from such an expenditure.
Mine then, is a financial policy. 1 watch
that end of the game. Other matters are
left to the officials concerned with them
There is not much to that policy excepting
! to make a good investment better. Results
they bring success.
Agitation Of the abuses on the railroads
| makes harder the accomplishment of local
improvements. Facts that in themselves
are insignificant are magnified and distorted
by the public mind until they become harm
full to the interests Of the public and to US.
1t Is the spirit of the age-and the news
papers-so what can we dor
why did you not answer the questions
put to you by the Interstate commerce COM
mission. and will you answer them when the
proceedings brought by the Department of
Justice force you tosappear for the second
timer the reporter asked.
Why BE Was Mum.
Il refused to tell what knew about the
chicago ana Alton purchase because the
questions put to me dealt with matters of
policy" Mr.. Hartman replied Some of
them l would not answer any more than
you would II asked from whom you bought
your suspenders or how much you paid for
your shirt. I could not, to be specific, an
swer all the questions in justice to my asso-
| ciates in the purchase.
But, now that the proceedings have been
will "
not refuse again. Inquiries directed at me
in connection with the Chicago and Alton
case will perhaps result in the answers de-
sired by the interstate commerce commits
sion. 1t was a business principle involved
that prevented me from answering ques-
tons. I may answer when the matter comes
up again."
In closing the interview Mr.. Hartman de-
clared that in the future the policy Of his
roads in the matters Of rates. extensions.
etc, will be to develop the state Of Nevada
and the entire western territory. through
both the north and south lines. Mr.. Hartman
tinuing, he said that San Francisco was the
natural tidewater terminal on the Pacific
coast and nothing could dislodge her from
that position. The railroads and the cap
ital center there" said he, land despite the
efforts toward that end. neither Seattle.
Oakland nor any other city will ever be able
to destroy San Franctsco's paramountcy."