New-York tribune., 1907-08-17
HARTMAN NAY ANSWER
uOTKD OWN ALI ROADS.
Nor Ready &c Reply TO Alton
Questions.

>-,,- Amp ie-"AIl cf the railroads IN
= .ountry would ne rriTe If / could get control
.,a.a- se.G Edward f. Hartman on his
- .t Sparks. NeT-- the diTiaion terminal,
,.-sev IN the course os an interview with
- Sta,, Journal" in which he discussed his
sa5 his ambitions. Il have been quoted
,,,.siv fc- an expression made Jocularly to
- asart that 7 porld manage the railroads
.,e federal government: that I would turn
50 ,olsinrs over 70 the United States for a
hNs aor,,ensation and act then as a commits
-" Mr. Hartman continued Put ] am
s,5.rsfoad The time has not come for
@-..-.l ownership. Personally. with all the
auas ,n nv possession i would be better suited
pe-narling that since Mr.. Hartman does not
.a+ oun all the railroads of the country a
...,en,ent OF his policy. in the light Of the re-
80 agitation for more drastic regulation
A., she federal government with respect 70 those
=. aoes own would be OF interest. the reporter
asked:
.Vhat is your policy concerning the manage
. of the railroads that we are told you
pHn?"
1T Is 10 pay dividends the decisive
xu,er since 1895 We have spent $500. 600, 600
.,- improvements. We want some returns.
r,or.t vou think we are entitled to returns from
rncb an expenditure? Mine, then. is a finan-
,ol nolicv: ] watch that end of the game.
oher matters are left TO the officials concerned
.sb them There is not much 10 that policy
,vceuting 10 make a good investment better,
pssults-they bring success
saeitarion of the abuses on the railroads makes
harder the accomplishment of local improve
-suts. Facts that in themselves are insignifi-
-,t are rnsgnifed and distorted by the public
-and until they become harmful to the interests
2 Dc Sr0f-i ~ na
,rA-and the newspapers-so what can we do?"
sUhy did you not answer the questions put
N rnu by tie Interstate Commerce Commission.
,n5 will YOU answer them when the proceedings
t-ousht by the Department Of Justice force you
n appaar for the second tfrne?" the reporter
asked
4 refused TO tell what knew about the Chi
oaro & Alton purchase because the questions
put to ne dealt with matters Of policy" Mr..
hartman replied. Some OF them i would not
answer any more than you would if asked from
whom you bought your suspenders or how much
you paid for your shirt. / could not, to be
specific answer all the questions in justice to
NY associates in the purchase
But noW that the proceedings have been
started 10 get these replies, I will probably not
refuse again. Inquiries directed at me in con-
nection with the Chicago & Alton case will
perhaps result in the answers desired by the
Interstate Commerce Commission II was a
business principle involved that prevented me
rom answering questions. may answer when
ihe matter comes up again
In closing the interview, Mr. Hartman de-
rlared that in the future the policy Of his roads
on the question Of rates. extensions. etc. will
be to develop the State OF Nevada and the en-
tire Western territory. through both the north
and south lines. MIR Hartman positively de-
cined 10 discuss politics
Continuing, he said that San Francisco was
me natural tidewater terminal the Pacific
Coast and nothing could dislodge the city from
that position The railroads and the capital
centre there he said, and despite the efforts TO
that end. neither Seattle. Oakland. nor any other
city viii ever be able to destroy San Francisco's
raramountcy''