The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-20

No Statements of Discussion Which
Is Outcome of J. p. Morgan's Plans
for "Allayina Public
Anxiety

Washington, March 19.--The Interview
between President Roosevelt and Charles
s. Mellen, the president OF the New York
New Haven and Hartford railroad. re-
Gently arranged for tie purpose of dis
cussing the railroad situation took place
at the White House today. II lasted moi
more than % minutes. No statement of
the particular questions discussed was
mace at the White House, and MIR. Mel
len declined to talk. 10 all questions
| bearing on the conference he referred his
inquirers TO Secretary Loeb adding that
anything he might say might be CON
strued as having bearing on the present
situation.
Mr.. Mcllen was asked whether he would
again visit the White House for a con-
ference with the President, but he re-
piled that he did not expect TO unless
he was sent for. Almost in the sane
breath, however, he said that perhaps
he might come after al, even if not sem
for, as he is in the habit of making fire.
quent trips to the cabital.
Mr.. Mellens visit today is the outcome
week by j. j. Morgan, the New York
fnancier, who came n Washington at the
request of many business men to discuss
the present business situation, particular
~ as affecting tho ra ralroads At the time
Mr.. Morgan suggested 10 the President
that It would be greatly in the public
interest II he would see certain railroad
presidents. and confer with them ''as TO
what steps might be taken TO allay public
anxiety to the relations between the
railroads and the government"
The visit of Mr.. Mellen followed the
conference he had several days ago with
Presidents Mccrea, Newman ard H.,
Of 4 i,s-- r'-->----ssivala. Sew horh oe'i''ai
and Chicago Northwestern railroads, re-
spectively.
These four were tie names suggested
to Mr.. Roosevelt By MI. Morgan. 1t Is
not known al the White House whether
Messrs. McCrea, Newman and Hughitt
will visit Mr.. Roosevelt. The PRESIDENT
will see them If they come So far they
nave not been heard from.
Commissioner Lane.
Following the departure of Mr. Meiien
Interstate Commissioner Franklin Lane
came to the White House and had talk
with the President about railroad mat
ters. Attorney General Bonaparte also
conferred with the President.
During the past three weeks Presioent
Roosevelt had visits from half dozen
well known business and railroad men,
with all of whom he has discussed Nafi-
Gus phases of the railroad situation Ihese
include j. L. Morgan, James Speyer Oh
New York President Stickney OF the chi
cago Great Western; Il. Il. Yoakum
chairman of the board of directors OF the
Chicago Rock Island and Pacinc; T.. II.
Hartman of the Union Pacific, ana
Charles s Mellen of the New York, Ne"
Haven and Hartford railroad. All OF
these persons have made speclnc recon-
.nendations Incorporating their idedS oii
the question whether the President should
recommend additional legislation and
most of them have urged nm 10 MAKE d
statement defining his attitude i'll explicit
term with a view to allaying pubic ap-
nrchenson on the subject that may exist.
GENERALLY they have but little approach
TO unanimity in these recommendations
lie has referred his callers who want IN
formation as to his attitude TO his puphc
declarations on this general subject, and
has told them that he means to be CON
sistcnt with what he already said
Federal COntTOl 'lquitiCo'
The President says frankly he is learn
ing all he can regarding the railroad STU
alton and that he will continue to CON
snlt with railroad people and others on
the subject It is understood that ne Is
making inquiries on some points pertain
ing To federal supervision and control Oh
the railroads, and as TO the duesuoh oI
appointing a bureau OF appralsement lol
the physical valuation of such propertes'
and to the matter OF issue Oh Nallous
forms Of indebtedness
AZ 10 the last named he regards ii per-
fectIv proper. and he says no objection
| ia a proper issue of obligations for
eouipment terminals and oettermenls
but thinks there should be careful
s,rutinv 10 see that stocks or bonds are
issued for such purposes.
The President has not reached any nnai
REORGANIZATION as to whether he will make
any recommendations to congress ior reg
islation on any of these matters Ills
noint is that he is simply pursuing dill
aentIv the study of these questions and
htaining all the information available
hafore acting The President has made
II nlain to his callers that he cannot be
expected to outline his policy In informal
talks with them and that differences as
Ia his attitude must not be drawn from
what he says in these casual talks
When he has made up his mind and IL
ready to tell the public just what his at
titude is ON particular questions and
specifically on the railroad issue, he viii
do SO in a speech or in a message tc
| congress. Some expressions from him are
| expected on the railroad question durlns
| the next few months The President Il
scheduled to make four speeches between
nov, and the middle of June, and Ii il
expeoted that he will have something
| ia saw on the railroad question in on'
| of these speeches
President Mellen left for New EnglanC
| tonight.
To Barge Timber.
| New Orleans. March ls.-unable to III