The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-16
e. HI. Hartman Says the
Country Is Not Yet Ready
For the Ownership of the Rail
roads by the Government.
HIS BUSINESS POLICY.
1t Is to Pay Dividends, He
Tells a Reporter.
May Answer Governments Ques-
tiOns if Called Upon Again.
ASSOCIATED Press-Leased wire.1

1 l%ASSOcldIeQ 9reSS-LedSeQ- WTe.I
! Reno, Aug. 16.-"All of the rail-
roads in the country would be mine if
could get control of them" said
Edward H. Hartman to a reporter for
the State Journal on his arrival at
Sparks, Nevada. the division terminal
IN the course of an interview during
winch he discussed his work and his
ambitions
| have been quoted seriously for an
| expression made jocularly to the effect
mat would manage the railroads for
the federal government; that 1 would
turn my holdings over to the United
states Tor fair compensation and act
tnen as commissioner" Mr. Harri-
man continued, but l am misunder-
stood. The time has not come for fed
eral ownership. Personally. with all
the lines in my possession, 1 would be
netter suited Regarding the fact
that since Mr.. Hartman does not own
all the railroad of the country, a state
ment as to his policy in the light of
the renewed agitation for more dras-
tic regulations by the federal govern
ment with respect to those he does
own would be of interest, the reporter
asked: What is your policy concern
ing the management of the railroads
we are told you own?"
1t is to pay dividends" came the
decisive answer. "Since 1898 we have
spent $300,0O0,000 for improvements.
we want some returns. Don't you
think we are entitled 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 ex-
ceptlng to make a good investment
better. Results. they bring success.
Agitation of abuses on the railroads
makes harder the accomplishment of
local improvements. Facts that in
themselves are insignificant are mag
distorted
is the spirit of the age-and the news
papers--so what can we do?"
Ma Answer Next Time.
''Wh-- did you not answer the ques-
tions put to you by the interstate
commerce commission. and will you
answer them when the proceedings
brought by the department of justice
force you to appear for the second
time ?" the reporter asked.
81 refused to tell what I knew
about the Chicago & Alton purchase
because the questions put to me dealt
with matters of policy" Mr.. Hartman
replied. Some of them I would not
answer any more than you would if
asked from whom you bought your
suspenders or how much you paid for
your shirt. 1 could not be specific and
answer all the questions in justice to
my associates in the purchase. But
now that the proceedings have been |
started to get these replies, will prob
ably not refuse again. Inquiries di-
Chicago & Alton will perhaps result in |
the answers desired by the interstate |
commerce commission. 1t was a busi- |
ness principle involved that prevented |
me from answering questions. 1 may |
answer when the matters comes up |
again.
In closing the interview, Mr.. Harri- |
man declared that in the future the |
policy of his roads in the matter of |
rates, extensions. ETC., will be to de- |
velop the state of Nevada and the en-
tire western territory. through both |
the north and south lines. Mr.. Har-
riman positively declined to discuss
policies. Continuing he said that San
Francisco was the national tidewater
to terminal on the Pacific coast and |
nothing could dislodge her from that
position. THE railroads and capital |
center there he said. land despite the
efforts toward that end. neither Seat
lie, Oakland nor any other city will |
ever be able to destroy San Francisco's
Dararrl OuntcV."