Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-03
WHATHE USEDIT FOR
Hartman, Napoleon of Rail-
 ways, Talks at Capital.
REORCANIzED TWO GREAT SYSTEMS
"Union Pacific In 1908 Was Practical ly . Wreck,' Says Great Finan- ctery T Have Made . New
 Road of It.o

WASHINGTON, June 3.-E. Fl. liar. riman's recital of what good he has done with the $250, 100000 of stocks and bonds he has foated since he gain ed control of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads is the theme of an interview here with the financier by W. E. Curtis.
 The article says in part:
 '"The Napoleon of railway managers greeted me pleasantly and asked what he could do for me. replied that the newspapers were keeping the public thoroughly informed of all the wicked things he was doing, and had thought 1t might be interesting to hear what good if any he had done
 MT. Hartman evidently has no sense of humor. He did not crack a smile, but looked at me sternly and inquired whether expected him to dis cuss such matters with newspaper man.,
 "'You might perhaps be willing to answer few questions replied.
 "'very we'll he said. Fire away And I fired.
 "'What good have you done with the proceeds of the $250,00o.000 in bonds and stocks you have noated since you obtained control of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railway systemsT
 1T have reorganized and rebuilt and re-equipped two of the biggest rail- roads in the world. altogether about 15,000 miles of track replied Mir. Har- riman. When I commenced to reor- ganize the Union Pacific in 1898 there was no reason why any one of dozen men should not have done it, but mo- body else seemed to have the nerve.
 "'The road was practically a wreck. It had been five years in the hands of receiver, and the times were so bad that 1t could not earn enough to pay expenses. I have since made new road of 1t, and to promote economy and convenience of management and to benefit the stockholders and the pub lie placed it in close traffie relations with the Southern Pacific. the Oregon Short Line, the Oregon Railway and Navigation company, the Pacific Mall Steampship lines and various other railway and steamships lines of lesser importance.
 "I have practically rebuilt them all, have opened up vast area of valua- ble contributing territory by building nearly nnn railes of new road and . have 2,260 miles additional under con struction or projected. I have short ened distances, have reduced grades, cut out curves, relaid the tracks with heavy steel rails, have replaced the wooden bridges with steel and mason ". have double tracked considerable distance where the traffic Is tho heav- fest, have provided additional termi- nals and facilities for handling freight. have built eight of the finest steam ships on the ocean. have secured the finest fleet of any nation on the Pa ciic. have bought or built 1,41s loco motives, 1,05o passenger cars and 42,- 500 freight cars.
 "In these Improvements continued Mfr Hartman. I have spent s257 .760,- TOO to promote the material develop ment of the states and communities traversed by the transportation lines mentioned. They serve the people ly- ing between the Mississippi river and the gulf and the Pacific ocean and a part of Mexico'n