, 1907-03-13
RAILROADS AND ADMINISTRA-
TON.

1t is a significant fact that the rail
roads OF the United States are appeal,
ing to the president for aid in the mat
ter Of allaying the feeling of the public
toward them. Two years ago they
were in almost q defiant mood. insist
have the right to supervise their busi'
ness. Now they are asking that some
plan be agreed upon whereby the gov
eminent can have full supervision oil
the railroads and thus restore them to
the confidence of the general public.
This change of heart has been brought
about by the ~far-reaching clamor in
many states for legislation that will
curb the autocratic power of the rail
roads. Some states have passed
two-cent rates and in others rail.
road commissions have been constitut
ed. being given almost unlimited power
in the regulation Of rates.
During the past few days Mr.. Harri.
man, Mr.. ]. p. Morgan and others have
interested themselves in an attempt
to gain the ear of the president, for
the purpose of n conference looking to
closer relations between the roads and
the people. Mr.. Morgan, contrary to
his usual custom, gave out IN inter
view to the press. In which he said
his visit to the White house was made
~ tbo .n1uaSt NJ MANY pronfuapf b,cf.
ness men. Il suggested to the presi-
dent that 1t would be greatly in the
public interest II he would see Mr.. Nc.
Crea, Mr.. Newman, Mr.. Mellen and
Mr.. Hughitt and confer with them as
to what steps might be taken to allay
the public anxiety o threatening to
obstruct railroad investments and con
%struction SO much needed, and es.
pecially to allay the public anxiety as
to the relations between the railroads
and the government. The president
said he would be glad to see the gen
tlemen named with this end in view"
Mr.. b. F. Yoakum, chairman Of the
board OF directors OF the Chicago, Rock
Island and Pacific railroad, also had
ar interview with the president and
members OF the Interstate commerce
commission regarding the railroad sit
uation. He told the president that the
agitation and legislation in various
states regarding two-cent fares and
the reduction in freight rates have
made 1t almost impossible for the rail,
roads to negotiate loans on their Sc.
curities. He declared that the rail
road men are willing that the supervis-
ion Of the railroads be centralized In
the national government"
That he added, would restore
confidence and give the people to I'M
derstand hat the railroads wish to
observe the laws, and 1t would stop
the hostile legislation in many states"
Governmental supervision is all that
is desired and II the railroads will &C.
Quiesce In such al arrangement they
will doubtless meet with the hearty Co
operation Of the president. 1t Is not
Mr.. Roosevelt's desire to Cypress any
person or corporation. All he has been
seeking, and all reasonable people
throughout the land are seeking, is a
square deal. The people would like to
have it made impossible for %transac-
lions like the Alton deal to be made
and they would like to have highways
respect the rights of the people in all
sections Of the country.
There appears to be an earnest eff
fort on the part of leading railroad
men to bring about better conditions
and there is no question but that the
president will meet them half way.