Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1907-04-11
coNTRovsRsY MsANs wAAT9

Most thinking people ia Washington
believe that the controversy between
Mr.. Hartman and the President over
Harriman's alleged contributions to
the campaign fund OF I9O4isa part Of
widespread scheme for discrediting
the administration with the public ia
order TO divert attention from them.
selves. Il is simply drawing red
herring across the trail to confuse che
scent Nobody particularly cares
whether Mr.. Hartman contributed
$4,000 to the campaign fund, as he
says he did, or not. After the way he
had looted the Alton railroad, he was
we'll able to contribute a million II he
wanted to. But that he came to
Washington at the solicitation OF the
President, and contributed the money
az the solicitation OF the President,
nobody for a moment believes. There
would be very little hesitation in the
minds OF most people in accepting
President Roosevelt's word before that
OF Mr.. Hartman, and the mere fact Of
whether he ever made the contribu.
tion at all, ought to be easily estab-
lished from his own cheek book or the
records OF the Republican Campaign
Committee. Secretary Cortelyou,
who was then chairman Of the com.
mittee, says that no such contribution
passed through his hands, and Corne-
lius n Bliss. who is notorlously tact.
turn, unapptoachable old person, re-
fuses to discuss the matter at all,
II would be a good thing, how.
ever, for the reputation OF the
party II the members Of the committee
would for once come out into the open
aud admit whether or not they receive
ed the money. Conclusive proof that
the contribution az we'll AZ the method
OF &c was fiction, would do more
than anything else to stop the cam-
palgn OF elimination that the rail-
toads are now waging against the gov
eminent simply because they fear the
government e going to make them act
fairly by the shipping public. This
is not a party matter, and the bitterest
party man can afford 20 look ~ II
fairly. II it were the Democratic
party that was In power, the same
campaign OF investigation would be
wsged against che railroads, perhaps
an even more severe campaign. And
Ia that case, the railroads would be
just as ready 20 attack the ipvesilga-
tors. The fight that is on now IL no
party matter. II ls one OF public poll
icy, and the people At large will be
wise II they see Il In that light.
The Interstate Commerce OommIs.
sion Is going shIs week TO put Mr..
Hartman on the grill again, They
will not have him on the witness stand,
but the representatives Of his railroad
system will present arguments before
the commission 90 20 why he should NOT
be compelled TO answer the qoestions
that re evaded during the recent New
York investigation When tho argu.
meEts OF the railroad and the govern
ment attorneys have both been pre-
sented, the commission will decide
whether 10 take the case 20 New York
courts and ask for rule compelling
20 answer she questions a.
to bic private stock iobbing exploits.
Whether this il done or not, the esi.
denee accumulated Ia the case will be
certified TO che Department Of Josslce,
whsre che Attorney. General viii de.
eide whether to institute civil or
criminal action against Mr.. Hartman.