The Washington times., 1907-01-03
Members of Commerce
Commission Have Big
Task on Hands.
QUESTION OF MASTERY
Investigation of Hartman
Railroad System Begins
at New York.

With clear understanding that they
are setting out upon task which may
determine whether. for some years 10
come. the Government shall be greater
than the Standard Ol-Harriman rail-
road and financial syndicate, or whether
the latter shall prove It's mastery OF
the Government, the members OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission are
setting out today upon their tour Of
the continent. Investigating the Harri-
man railroad system.
Control of the Republican nominating
convention in 1908, the dictation OF the
general tendencies OF the next campaign
and the next administration, are con-
ceved by observers OF political develop
ments TO be among the things ultimately
involved
The huge financial interests are fight
ms the administration and the ad-
ministrauon is fighting back. The Har-
riman inquiry is one of the engag e-
ments IN this war OF giants
Neither Side Confident.
II can be said with assurance that
neither side enters upon the campaign
over confident Mr.. Hartman is said To
be a sick man. Worry and concern
about the forthcoming inquisition into
his affairs Is responsible in large part
Recently. although the fact has not
before been published, he submitted 10
surgical operation. IL is said 10 have
been of minor significance. but since il
was performed. Inc master OF I,J0
miles of railroad, and she arbiter OF
more wealth than any man Ia America.
has kept very much 20 himself, The
beginning OF the investigation was post
p0ned chiefly or account OF his III
health
The majority OF members OF the In
terstate Commission will 90 TO New
York this evening 10 open the inquiry.
There was tremendous interest. excite
ment. and activity about the commits
siOn's offices this forenoon In prepare
ton Tor the departure OF the commits
sion with its force OF official stenOg-
raphers and other officials. The forth
coming inquiry is considered there 10 be
OF the greatest gnihcance-easil the
most important work the commission
has taken up In recent years.
Hill System Next.
Before leaving the city IL was said
on behalf or the commission that after
the Hartman hearings are concluded
there will be- Just as soon as possible
a like investigation OF the Hill system,
with the view of determining whether
ana 10 what extent u has been ViOlat-
Ing the decree dlssOlvlng the Northern
Securities Company.
The Hartman investigation win in
clude sessions in New York Chico go.
probably Omaha, and San Franci SEQ.
IL viii be the most sweeping or its
kind ever held for 81 will consider
not only financial and managerial reia-
tions, but Will also include inquiry into
the general question OF the reasonable
ness OF rates In trans Missouri terri
tory. 1t has long been charged that
rates in that territory are from TWO to
four times as high as in other parts
OF the country. This privilege OF col
lectiug excessive tolls is believed TO
have been the basis of the immense eX-
panslOn and power Of the Hartman and
i'm roads. They have been earning
such immense returns that they have
developed huge surpluses. out of which
their managerial ciques aaye speculatrd
ana secured control OF other systems
Moreover, they are allied with the most
powerful banking interests in the c0un-
try, with the big life insurance cOmpa-
niles. and with foreign banking in
terests.
Politicians Interested.
The politicians see In this fight OF the
Administration against Hartman, the
largest political significance. They point
out that the Standard OH-Harriman
crowd has been The most persistent and
bitter IN opposition 10 Roosevelt and his
policies. and that the Hartman crowd
In New York backed Odeu in his long
night FOR control OF the State More than
this II Is still backing him. and de-
Iermined 20 get him back into control
All this looks 10 the 1893 Presidential
campaign II Hartman succeeds in his
political designs. New York will be Op-
posed 20 Roosevelt candidate for
President II Roosevelt wins he will
be in control OF the Empire State and
will dictate it's course al the national
convention. There has been constant
iteration lately of the statement that
these big financial interests were most
favOrably inclined 10 the candidacy OF
Vice President Fairbanks for President.
The President has been said 10 have
small fancy for this arrangement
What Success Means.
II the Administration makes good on
the coming investigation, If IL IS able
10 show shat the Northumberland
Oil system Is a combination in restraint
OF trade: if II is able 70 enforce re-
ductiOns of railroad rates. TO subject
these companies 10 more complete regu-
lation. 10 break up the big combination
OF interests, IL Will have broken the
power OF this combination In politics as
we'll as in finance and transportation.
The coming investigation, then, in the
opinion OF many men who are far from
alaTmists, involves the whole question
OF whether the big Hartman Rockefeller
combination is bigger than the Govern
meut. And il Is with a full realization
of the gravity of the task that the
commission viii begin its spectacular
fuuvfrV