Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-14
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Gov. Dineen and His Attorney
! General Coming.
INVITED FOR A CONFERENCE
President Wants to Know Of Harri-
mans Alton Deal.
DATE FOR RAILROAD OFFICIALS
Not Yet Determined When They Can
Confer on the situation-President
stickney Calls Today.
INVITED FOR A CONFERENCE
DATE FOR RAILROAD OFFICIALS

ney General Stead of Illinois will have a
conference with President Roosevelt on
Monday next. 1t is now regarded as highly
probable that this conference will have
most important bearing on the financial
situation. as the President is said to want
to know something as to what Illinois has
ascertained as to the famous Alton deal, In
which E. H. Hartman. according to his
own testimony before the interstate COM
merce commission in New York, establish
ed such a remarkable record of high
finance The Illinois state officials have
been preparing to go after Hartman and
the railroads in the state courts, and there
is strong ground for the belief that the
President will have some important sug-
gestions to make. The indications are that
this conference will, In some respects, be
analogous to that which took place last
month between the President and dele
cation of Californians in which the Presl-
dent wished to have certain things done as
to the Japanese situation, and they were
done.
The interview 1t is admitted, was arrang-
ed at the request of the President, and 1t Is
rare that he goes cunning without gettns
game. He is perfectly familiar with Mr..
Harriman's wonderful transactions In Alton
stocks and bonds. and there has for some
time been q suspicion that the facts In that
case have been referred to Attorney General
Bonaparte with the view Of legal action. AS
the Illinois authorities contemplate legal ac-
ton. also. the probability Is that the Presi-
dent will offer suggestions that Will pull
off, the state authorities and permit the
| whole case to be handled by the federal
government. The President is strongly in
clined to the opinion that the railroad pres
idents have good cause to fear the hostility
Of state governments, and he gives evidence
of favoring course that will permit the
federal government to deal with such mat
ters without state interference.
Conference Not Yet Arranged.
President Roosevelt is still awaiting word
from the railroad officials mentioned by ].
Pierpont Morgan In his interview as to
| time for the proposed conference on the
railroad situation. It il still unknown
whether Hartman, the high-finance ex-
ponent, will come with the others. but if
he does he will be received the same as any
other person having business with the Pres
ident.
1t is declared to be untrue that the Presi-
dent has invited the governors OF states
! whose legislatures have enacted hostile rail-
road laws to come on here for a consulta-
ton with him as to further railroad legfs-
lation. Outside Of Gov. Dineen he has ask
ed no state executive to come to Washing
ton Later on he may do SO.
President Stickney Makes Call.
A. B. Stickney, president Of the Chicago
Great Western road, talked with the Presi-
dent today. Mr.. Stickney reiterated to the
President the views he has expressed for
publication fecently-to the effect that the
control of railroads should be placed wholly
in the hands of the federal government and
the states deprived of the power Of enacting
all sorts Of laws. Mr.. Stickney is putting
his views into effect by resisting decision
of the state authorities OF Minnesota on
the ground that the state can not interfere
| in he business of the road. He has taken
| the case before the federal courts and ex-
poets to have 1t carried to the United
| States Supreme Court He expresses the
| opinion that the highest court of the land
will put an entirely new phase on the rail-
road situation so far as state control Is
concerned. Mr.. Stickney has long been
supporter OF the railroad views of the Pres
ident, and believes that the federal govern
| ment should be given the greatest latitude
| in its control of these powerful corpora
| tions.
! the President, in which the financial situa-
ton was considered. Mr.. Crimmins Is es-
| pecially interested in street railway COM
panies of New York. The stocks Of these
| have suffered much in the last few months
| by reason of hostile legislation In the New
York legislature.
Just Killed Another Railroad Presi-
dent.
According to congressional caller at
| the White House two men were standing
on Pennsylvania avenue this morning when
| there were two short, sharp claps Of thun-
der.
Whats that?' inquired one of the men.
"Oh, nothing" said the other; ''the Presi-
dent Just took another railroad president
out in the White Lot and shot him.
The Presidents visitors today included
Senator Bacon of Georgia, who Is about to
leave for his home; ex-senator John L. Nc
| Laurin of South Carolina, who discussed
some southern matters, and Senator War
ner of Missouri, who introduced some
| friends and asked that Rev. Oscar j. w.
Scott pastor of the Metropolitan NJ. E.
| Church of this city. be appointed chap
| lain in the army.