The Washington herald., 1907-03-12

J. Pierpont Morgan conferred with
President Roosevelt for an hour and IA
half last evening on the railroad prob
lens Of the country.
The result of the conference was that
President Roosevelt agreed 30 a sugges-
ton made by Mr., Morgan that he meet
and discuss general railroad affairs as af-
fected by the railway-rate law, with
President McCrea. az the Pennsylvania
system; President Newman. of the New
York Central. and President Mellen, Of
the New York. New Haven and Hartford
Mir. Morgan arrived IN Washington last
evening about 3 O'Clock. lie went TO the
White House at IO-3nd from there. at
1880 O'Clock. he went 10 the Pennsylvania
station. boarded the Rover his private
car. and started back to New York.
AIr. Morgan told the President that the
railroad companies of the country were
not in an antagonistic mood concerning
the railroad-rate bill. and that they
wished It to be enforced. and desired TO
cooperate with the government TO this
end.
lie suggested that the President meet
the three big railway presidents men
toned with a view to finding some com
mon ground for cooperation which would
be beneficial To both the people and to
the railroad systems
Trunk Lines Approve Move.
The big trunk lines have decided that
the only thing TO do is to work with the
government for the enforcement Of new
laws. The recent laws enacted by the
various State legislatures. lowering pas
seuger rates. and making other require
ments. have disturbed the railroads and
have made the financial situation embar-
rassiHg
So for the purpose of allaying public ap-
prehension and improving threatening
situation. the great lines have determined
10 do everything possible to improve condi-
tious
Mr. Morgan made the following state
ment concerning his visit and conference
with the President
At the request Of many business men,
before leaving for Europe, ] came 10
Washington 10 see the President 20 dis
euss the business situation, particularly as
affecting railways.
Il suggested TO the President that it
would Doe greatly TO the public interest If
he would see Mr.. McCrea Mr.. Newman.
and Mr. Mellen and confer with them as
10 what steps might be taken TO allay the
public anxiety now threatening TO obstruct
railroad investment and construction, and
especially to allay public anxiety as to
the relations between the railroads and
the government.
"The President said he would gladly
see them with this end in view"
Yoakum Sees President
b. r. Yoakum. chairman of the board
OF directors of the Chicago. Rock Island
and Pacific. and practically the head OF
that system. also saw the President and
talked with him about the very things
which were taken up in the evening in
the conference between MI Morgan and
the President Later Mr.. YoakUm went
20 the Interstate Commerce Commission
office and talked with the commissioners
ON the same subject
There viii probably be an announcement
from the White House to-day, or at least
within couple of days. as to when Mr.
McCrea, Mr.. Newman. and Nr Mellen vii
come to Washington 10 meet the PTesi-
dent and discuss the situation with him
There have been many indications re-
Gently Of more conciliatory attitude OF
the part of the great railway lines. When
here last week Mr.. Hartman said that
he believed the Interstate Commerce Com
mission should work with the railroads.
rather than antagonize them. and sHg-
gested that if there were more co-Opera-
ton better results might be produced