The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-08
President Hartman Thinks the
Time Has Come
For Railroad, Government and
People to Get Together.
HAVE MADE MISTAKES.
Both He and Washington Realize
1t, He Says.
viii Devote His Time to Great
ing a Better Understanding.

New York, March ST am ready
to make the advancement of a scheme
| of cooperation between the govern
ment and the railroads my chief in
| terest," said E. H. Hartman, president
| of the Union Pacific on returning from
| Washington.
Mr.. Hartman declined to talk about
| the report that he had obtained con-
troll of the Reading road. Speaking of
agitation against corporate wealth he
said:
"They-we-all of us, should have
| considered the possible effects of this
agitation before it was begun or be-
fore condition that made it's growth
possible was allowed to continue. If
We had all met on common ground and
co-operated for our mutual benefit no
body would be worrying over the stu
I alton as it is today.
I'VE all made a mistake in this. I
realize the mistake and L believe tn.
administration at Washington Is be-
| ginning to realize that it has been
little too radical in its attitude toward
the railroads. Henceforth look to see
its opposition take on more of the spir-
1t of cooperation. 1 believe the rail-
ways can expect to receive more even
handed justice.
I'VE men at the head of the great
corporations on our part are coming to
a better understanding of what the
government expects OF us. We are De
ginning to get the point of view of the
now, all of us-the public, the govern
ment and the railways-on a commo1
ground, where we can deal with one
another in the right spirit.
I'm more than willing to give M
support to such process of enlighten-
ment. I'm ready to make the advance
ment of such a scheme of cooperation
my chief interest. Surely there could
be few conditions Imaginable that
would be of wider benefit than to elimi-
nate hostile friction.
Railroad managers have, I am will
ing to admit, in the past neglected to
build up a strong, harmonious relation
ship among then selves. the govern
ment and the public. This matter has
been left to subordinate officers, and
the result has been that such relations
have been completely neglected. Now
we must take the matter in our own
hands in order to bring about a better
understanding and cooperation.
"Our policy in the past has been a
mistaken one but it can not be said
that we have neglected our service to
the public. When one considers what
the railroads have done to develop this
nation we cannot believe they have
been anything but beneficial. The
marvellous development of the coun-
try has been due in a very large de-
gree to the enterprise of its railroads.
.'Since the time we took hold of the
system of railroads of which I am the
head $3.50, 100000 has been expended
in rebuilding the roads. This has all
been done since 1900. AS another in
stance of what the railroads are doing
to add to the general prosperity of the
nation I'll tell you that the roads of
which I am the head purchase about
one million tons of steel rails yearly.
and during that period we purchased
about four million ties.
"All this adds to the welfare of the
nation, and the development work
which the railroads have done has in
some cases as is now shown, resulted
in the building up of so large a traffic
that they are unable to handle it.
Combination really benefits the
public The public may think other
wise, but it will learn the real truth in
time. That time will come sooner if
combinations are legalized. I believe
in control and regulation as I declared
before the interstate commerce COM |
mission. But L think within the limit
CT such control corporations ought to
be allowed to combine as they find it
necessary or beneficial
Mr.. Hartman said that the railroads |
had frequently been at fault in the past
by their failure to live up to their |
had come a lack of confidence among
railroad men and the public naturally |
grew to lose confidence in their acts.
Restrictive legislation Mr.. Hartman
unless met in some other way The fact
is plain. he said, that there is a lack of
paid by the New York. New Haven and |
Hartford railroad company for it's recent |
loans in France.
As to the money outlook, Mr.. Hartman
act on industrial cooperation.
II know in a general way of an all
round movement to. reduce supplies. |
That's common sense he said. LAS for
our own road we are making our business
more compact and trying to conduct