The Washington herald., 1907-03-08
HARRIMANAIDSFIGHT
VIII Assist Investigation OF
MOrgan-Hill Deal.
READY TO TELL EVERYTHING
Philadelphia Committee Would
Probe Coup That Is Said to Have
Cost Hartman $4,000, OOO-l.atter
Returns from Washington and Dis
cusses Administrations Attitude.

Special to The Washington Herald
New York, March with the cunning
and indirection Of foxes, the Hartman
interests are preparing to aid the Phila-
delphia committee of Northern Pacific
stockholders in the approaching and in
evitable investigation of the Hill-Morgan
reorganization Of that road. Revenge is
the reason back Of the purpose
Hill and Morgan by what the Hartman
side has stigmatized as double dealing,
treachery. and chicanery, plucked more
than d score of millions from the iron fist
OF the beetle-browed Hartman. Now it is
their turn to pay The piper in the White
House for the dance that is about TO be-
gin i'm tune to the merry rapping Of the
big stick,
Hartman Eager to Testify.
The publication Of the fact that the
Philadelphia stockholders will appeal to
President Roosevelt 10 cause an investiga-
ton of the Hill Morgan deal gave the
Hartman crowd its notice to make ready.
Hartman. himself, has just arisen from
hot gridiron of official inquiry, and as he
contcmplates his grillmarks in spirit far
removed from the st. Laurence Of old, he
looks over AT his ancient enemies with an
expression that clearly is anticipatory Of
the call Next
Some information as to the beginning
Of the Harrman-Eiill feud was obtained
here and the correspondent was then re-
ferred 10 Judge r S. LOvett head of
the legal staff Of Harriman's road, the
Union Pacific From these officers and
other sources enough was gathered to
make IL certain that Hartman will not
hesitate 60 tell all he knows concerning
the Hill-MOrgan reorganization Of the
Northern Pacific when the court Of in
auiry shall call him 10 the stand. The
feud dates back seven years. and every
day since its beginning has added TO its
bitterness.
Magnate Arrives In New York.
Hartman and his army Of lawyers, and
stock brokers, and fellow capitalists are
ready to 90 the limit to help the Phila-
delphia committee. representing 100000
Of Northern Pacific stock that Hill and
Morgan have discredited and rendered
almost valUeless.
When F. II. Hartman arrived at his
office in the Equitable Building this morn
ing ne WAS asked for confirmation or
denial OF the report that upset Wall street
yesterday TO the effect that he had OBJ
tanned control Of Reading.
Mr. Hartman declined TO give either.
saying that he could not discusss Wall
street rumors," but he volunteered cheer
fully to talk about anything else
Take, for instance. the change that has
come in the attitude of the adminlstra-
ton toward the railroads" he began.
Mr.. Roosevelt's attitude?' was asked.
Railroads Sometimes at Fault.
NO; let us say the administration. Mr..
Roosevelt is the President of the United
States. I mean the administration. We
all make mistakes sometimes, and even
the railroads are not exempt Now, the
right thing 70 do when YOU make a mis-
take is TO backtrack. I've had to do s.;
there are times when newspapers have
had TO do il. and certainly the admins
tration is beginning 10 perceive that its
attitude toward railroads might be
changed The President indicated in his
message in December that he was begin
ming 70 believe the Sherman act might
be too burdensome. The government is
coming round 10 the view that Combina-
ton in the railroad business is necessary
for progress. and cooperation. too. I ad-
nit that We men who run railroads have
neglected at times our relations with the
public and the government with respect
to making public what We are doing. But
our main duty, TO provide adequate
service. We have always fulfilled"
Mr.. Hartman said that he was going
TO see the President again, but that no
definite time for his visit had been ar
ranged. When some surprise Was ex-
pressed because he was in New York. in
stead of continuing his projected trip
down South, he explained that the climate
was altogether too hot there for him.