Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-20
MELLEN VISITS
The White HOUSE
He and President Discussed the
Railroad Situation lust Thirty
five Minutes.
CONSUL TATIoNS TO CONTINUE
Mr.. Roosevelt Frankly says That He
Is Learning All He Cam About
Railway Matters.

washington. March Ia.--The interview
between President Roosevelt and
charles S. Mellen, president Oh NJ.
New York, New Haven & HARTFORD
railroad. recently arranged FOR tine Pu'-
pose of discussing the railroad s''sia-
ton, took place at the White H"uss
today 1t lasted not more man DO
minutes. No statement OF the cues
tlons discussed was made at the White
House, and Mr. Mellen declined 70 eaiA-
Mr.. Melen said he did NOT expect
to again visit the White House tor
conferences with the president unless
he was sent for. .s
Mr., Mellen's visit Mss ite VuAey ~.
NJ a cali ma De at the White House asst
week nv j Pierpont Morgan, the New
yorx -ir,auc{er. who came 10 Washing
tom at the request OF many business
r,en M discuss the present business Sit
nation particularly as affecting rail-
roads. 49,
conference he had several days ago
H,ehltt of the Pennsylvania New
York Central and Chicago &c North
western railways, respectively. These
four were the names suggested TO Mr.
Roosevelt by My. Morgan. 1t is not
known at the White House whether
N1essrs. McCrea Newman and Hughitt
will visit Mr. Roosevelt. The presi-
dent viii see them II they come
During the past three weeks Pyesi-
dent Roosevelt has had visits from half
4 dozen wen known financiers and rain
road men. with whom he has discussed
various phases of the railroad situation.
These include j Plerpont Morgan,
James s. Speyer of New York. Isresi-
dent Stickney of the Chicago Great
Western railroad &, II Yoaknn. chair
man OF the board of directors of the
Chicago, Rock Island q; Pacific. K. H.
Hartman OF the Union Pacific. and
Charles S, Mellen of the New York.
New Haven & Hartford railroad, All
of these persons have made specific
recommendations, Incorporating their
ideas on the question whether the presi-
dent should recommend additional rail-
way legislation, and most OF them have
urged him to make n statement defining
bis attitude in explicit terms. with a
View TO atlaying public apprehension.
Generally there has been hut little ap-
proach to unanuity In these recon-
nendations. He has referred his call.
ers, who want information as to his at
titude, 10 his public declarations on This
Reneral subject. and has told them that
he has already said.
The president says frankly that he
is learning all he can regarding the
railroad situation, and that he intends
10 continue to consult with railroad
people and others on the subject 1t
Is understood he is making Inquiries
ON some points pertaining to federal
supervision and control OF the rail-
roads, TO the question OF an appraise-
Inent of the physical valuation OF such
properties. and TO the matter OF the
issue of various forms OF indebte dness
AS he sees no objection TO proper
issue of obligations for equipment
terminals and hetterments, but thinks
there should be a careful scrutiny TO
see that stocks or bonds are Issued for
such purposes.
The president has not reached any
final determination as to whether he
VIII make amy recommendations TO
Congress for legislation Oh amy OF
these matters The president has made
It plain to his callers that he cannot
be expected to outline his policy In In
formal talks with them, and that in
ferences as to his attitude must not be
drawn from what he says in these cas-
ual talks
When he has made up his mind and
Is ready 10 tell the public Just what his
attitude Is on particular questions ana
specif ca1y ON the railroad Issue, he
win do so In a speech or In a message
10 Congress. Some expression from
him are expected on the railroad ques-
ton during the next few months. The
president is scheduled to make four
speeches between now and the middle
of June, and II is expected that he VIII