The Washington herald., 1907-03-30
IN DOUBT
Course as to Railroad Speech
Is Still Uncertain.
ADVISERS ARE NOT IN ACCORD
Some Urge Him te Deliver Address
or Issue sfafement-others Declare
He should Remain siIent-PossibIe
Abandonment OF Apprafsement
PIan rIeases Financial Circles.

No sign came from the White House
yesterday as TO what course President
Roosevelt intends TO pursue in response
to the opportunities 10 which he is being
subjected to make some public utterance
OF a 'reassuring' character in regard TO
the railroad situation.
Ordinarily to think, with the President,
is to act, but there is ample evidence that
he has not reached the point where his
thoughts on the grave question confront
ing him suggest a positive decision as 70
his attitude
That he is giving serious consideration
70 the invitation 10 so 30 Springfield. H.,
for the purpose of making a public ex-
pIanatIoo of the policies which he has in
mind with respect to railroads and other
matters that are bound to affect industrial
and financial conditions, is evident from
what was said In official circles yesterday.
Ills advisers. however, are divided on
the question Of the advissbility Of making
the Springfield trip. Some Of those IN
whose judgment he has apparently almost
supreme confidence on most matters. are
urging him not 70 delay a statement that
may LEl4Af III AttNAl UD4lfitEs 10 ftAIAAAA aLE
the uneasiness that exists throughout the
country. Others who have his ear, are in
sisting. if one can insist TO the President,
that he say nothing.
Uncertainty still Prevails.
That the President is uncertain as 10 the
course ne should pursue is indicated by
the meager information obtainable al the
White House and elsewhere in these last
few days Of studied reucence on the part
OF officials. On Wednesday, after dele
cation Of the Illinois Manufacturers Asso-
citation had virtually beseeched him to
make a speech at Springfield. it was de-
clared IN an authoritative quarter that
there was no prospect OF the acceptance
Of the invitation, although the President
would not reach a final determination for
two or three days. as something might
turn up IN the meanwhile that would cause
him TO change hts inclination not TO go
West
Something evidently did turn W that
very night az the conference between the
President, members Of the Cabinet, and
Interstate Commerce Commissioners. He
was urged by some Of the eonferees that
il would be wise for him TO accept the
Springfield invitation, and the broad init
nation was given that he probably would
90 10 the Illinois capital yesterday how
ever. there was evidence that he is not as
much inclined as he was tWenty-four
hours before 10 say anything az this time
upon railway and financial matters.
The President Is already on record as
favoring legislation that will permit
railroads to effect pooling arrangements
under certain conditions. The Interstate
Commerce Commission stands behind him
IN this attitude. So convinced IS the COM
mission that the law forbdding these
pooling operations is harmful 10 the in
terests Of the people as well IS the rail-
roads, that il virtually winks at arrange
u.ents Of that character. While those who
have followed the Presidents utterances
closely are well aware Of his views on
this phase Of The subject they believe. or
some Of them do. that a repetition OF
those views AT this time will be exceed
lngiy beneacial No doubt is felt that
the President would be willing % restate
his position IN this connection IN any pub
lie statement he may determine 10 make.
Attitude Toward States Actions.
1t has been known for some time that
the President is not in sympathy with
the stringent laws enacted by State legis-
1 A4All q A0A A44N RAl AL1E UA BAhA4aA 6tN-NA-A
government control over railways. At
least he believes that the resembling Of
these laws and the transfer to the Fed
eral government of the authority con
veyed by them would be beneficial 10 all
concerned; in other words, that greater
Federal supervision and q corresponding
Iessening of state supervision would be
the wiser policy. he is aware that many
it is quite probable that he will embody
the idea in his proposed speech or state
ment should he determine to make IT,
While there is some belief that an ex-
position Of his views on these TWO sub
jects would have an effect IN bringing
about better conditions with regard TO the
railroads, the greater number of those
who are inclined 10 favor the suggestion
that Mr.. Roosevelt should make d public
statement at this time. think that his as
suEances viii have little effect uDOn the
prevailing situation unless he couples with
them an abandonment Of the plan 10 as
certain the valuation OF railways. the pre-
liminary step. in the opinion of its advo-
Gates, toward Federal franchises for in
terstate corporations and other means of
preventing overcapitalization.
Valuation Plan Hurts.
Such an assurance, it is claimed, would
do much to restore confidence and put an
end to the timidity of those who desire TO
invest money ia railroads. The President
is aware OF this attitude on the part Of
men who are interested in the success Of
his administration, but there is no word
or hint up 10 this time as 10 what he in
tends 10 do.
He has been greatly taken with the val
uation idea, and finds support among the
members OF the Interstate Commerce