The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-09-08

VI GIobe-Democrat telegraphs that,
ecc.rding to a high official who re-
urnod 10 Washington from ais Vaca-
kon sunday, a conference TO determ-
IN What action shall be taken ill the
several cases worked up against the
Hartman railway lines viii be held
?. President Roosevelt AMI his advIs-
r-s when the president returns TO
Washington in October from his west
en- rip. II will then be decided, 1t
+ asserted by this official, whether
IT, government shall go into the ied-
era courts to break up any or all or
the group of Hartman railway conf
hiHarOns alleged to be operated IN
restraint of trade, or even announce
tha; the evidence collected IL not
s'rong enough to Justify emharkinG
upon such a project.
Consideration will be giFen first, it
Is understood, TO the merger If the
TE:cn Pacific and the Southern Pa
C.ic systems, which some authorities
declare is the strongest case.
Administration is Puzzled.
On the surface. the administration
appears 10 be at a loss as 70 how to
proceed in the matter. Some people
hold that the administration would be
happy if the public forgot the case.
This il was explained today. in an
official Quarter. does not reflect. &C
crrately. the attitude Of the alminis-
t-a.iOn.
That individuals associated with
n Hartman railroad management
viii not be prosecuted criminally, was
decided long ago.
There is good reason to believe III at
tha president will discuss the Harri-
man case N the first message 20 the
siXtieth congress. using ii as an eN-
ample in support of supplemental
railroad legislation which he will Te
commend. Ii is now known for a
certainty that if the administration
makes an effort TO smash" Hartman
the Union Pacific and Southern Pa
Cific Consolidation viii be the first
point Of attack. According to the In
ts~--a-o Commerce Commission, COM
Teriron hetwe - these two systems
has haen elimi.~'ed under the Harri-
man management. Whether the meT-
ger is beuefcient or otherwise IN It's
effect upon interstate trade. must be
decided by the legal advisors Of the
administration. If it is held that the
consolidation IS wholesome in infiu-
ence. the administration will prob
eoly not 90 into the courts.
Hartman Policy Commended.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
SIGN, severe in its denunciation of
some Of the methods Of Mr.. Hartman
N acquiring and manipulating rail-
road property. commended the man.
agement Of the. roads under his con-
N-ol, as follows:
IT has been no part of the Harri-
nan policy 10 permit the properties
Which were brought under She Union
Pacific control to degenerate and de-
cline. so. as railroads. they are better
properties today. with lower grades,
lighter tracks and more ample
equipment than they were when they
came under that control
IN the conference next month this
question VIII have careful considera-
Son: Whether a prosecution of the
slnrr-man roads should be instituted
n view Of the fact that the president
intends TO recommend to the next con-
E-fss tho passage of a law which. in
EI"cf. would except railroads from
10 application of the provisions Of
u'H Sherman antitrust act"
e Legaize Beneficial Facts.
u, 70 his Memorial Day speech at In
g,''Aa polls. the president, in discussing
-. a. abroad situation generally, made
.-.s statement: Subject TO first Civ
-1S 70 The government the power of
supervision and control which ! have
q" Gated. the law should be amended
Mar The railroads may be permit
- an encouraged to make traffic
e'-r@enfs when these are in the in
''., Of the general public. as well
:. b" railroad corporations :Caking
l.. IAe president thus urged the legal
- Of pooling agreements, a plan
~t advocated by Martin K. Knapp, |
c-l.i-an Of the Interstate Commerce |
!, =. mission. With pooling legalized, |
II :, antitrust act, as far as it applies |
a. F2--roads, would be nullified. in |
oninion of Chairman Knapp. ny |
'nE that traffic agreements be- !