The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-28
ASKED ID EXPRESS KEY NOTE OF POLICY Roosevelt Called on by Illinois Manufacturers Association THE RAILROAD SITUATION Urged to Deliver Address at Spring field to AlIay Alarm, President
 Will Accept, Engagements
 Permitting.
THE RAILROAD SITUATION

Washington, March 27.-A committee representing the Illinois Manufacturing association composed of C. II. Smith of Aurora president of the organization, Levy Mayer of Chicago, general counsel, John E. Wilder of Chicago, w. B. Erin ton of Dixon, H., Charles A. Plamondon of Chicago and John M. Glenn, secretary of the association. called on the Presi- dent today by appointment and eXtend- ed to him an urgent invitation to address at Sprir gfeld Ill.,. at the earliest possible date, a convention of representatives of the manufacturing and mercantile ih- terests of'Ilinois and the middle west.
 The conference lasted over an hour, dur ing which there was free discussion of the railroad situation. At it's conclu- sion the committee gave out the follow ing statement:
 The committee submitted to the Pres ident that the present railroad financial situation was creating a feeling of timidi- ty and apprehension to such an extent that it threatened an immediate eurtall- ment of banking and business credit which had heretofore been extended to the business interests of the country at a time when the greatest possible de- mand for the further extension of credit prevailed for the development of the in creasing demands of the manufacturing and mercantile industries of the country. Ii was shown to the President that the manufacturers in the enjoyment of their unprecedented cred't had largely eXtend- ed their business in the making of pur- aho fo orInr uvh require many months for their comple tion; that the manufacturering and mer- cantile industries were apprehensiYe that a feeling of distrust was getting a foot hold which would lead to financial cur tailment and such restriction of credit as to threaten dangerous results to the great prosperity that now existed in all avenues of industry. It was urged upon the President that very great good would come to all interests alike if he would signify his willingness to express in public address as soon as possible the keynote of his creative and constructive policy The President was informed by the committee that though the countrys prosperity was very great, it would soon become seriously impaired by the creation of an uneasiness on the part os banks and investors and would lead to such distrust as to prevent the supply of the necessary moneys to satisfy existing wants, as well as to meet the unparalleled developments of the manufacturing and transportation interests of the country.
 The President inquired carefully into the prevailing mercantile conditions, and expressed himself as most anxious and determined to do all in his power to pro- tect preserve and encourage all legiti- mate business interests of every kind.
 At the close of the conference the Pres ident thanked the commission for It's frank statement of the existing condi- tions as they appeared to the commit tee, and promised that within a few days he would determine whether his present engagements would permit him to accept the committees invitation, which he expressed himself as anxious to do, if he possibly could.