The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-04
FavOrs Revision of
Present Schedules.
Railroads Pictured as Heavy
Losers at Present.
NO WAGE REDUCTION.
LabOrer Is Entitled to All He
Can Get.
Railway Wizard Discusses Hep
burn Act Unfavorably.

Chicago. Aug. 4.-Edward H. Har-
riman preceded his departure from
Chicago for the west by a short dis
|cussion of the possibility of the gener-
al increase of freight rates in the U. S.
The American people ought to be
willing to pay the railroads proper
compensation for proper transporta-
ton service" he said. "Such a ser
vice we are now performing, but for 1t
we are not receiving an ADEQUATE re-
turn
If the railroads are to go on ex-
tending their lines, improving those
which are now operated and providing
new equipment to take care of the
country's business they must have
moro revenue.
II am not in favor of a cold, cal
culatfns. cruel and horizontal in
crease in rates. | am not traffic
man and 1 do not know much about
such things. but 1 know that there is
a proper way to go about thing and
that there is tDlngling way"
Mr.. Hartman seemed to favor
general reimbursement of freight tariffs
rather than general increase. He be-
lleved that many rates are too low
and should be raised, but he was OBJ
posed to straight 10 per cent in
crease in the carrying charges for all
commodities.
rs there to be an increase in freight
rates." he was asked.
How can / tell?" was the reply, ac-
companied by despairing wave of his
hand
well. if there is to be no increase
in freight rates will there be a decline
in wages?" was the next question.
81 don't care to talk about wages"
said Mr.. Hartman, '-"but the railroad
laborer is in the same position that
the railroad should be in. He is enti-
tied to. all he can get for his services
provided he gives the very best ser
vice that lies in him. .
Mr.. Hartman, while here held con-
ferenceS with various heads of rail-
roads. in which he is interested The
conferences were attended by ]. c..
Stubs, traffic director; julius Krutts-
chnitt, director of maintenance; S. NJ.
FELTON,, president of the Mexican Cen
trail railroad and E. P. Ripley, presi-
luncheon later at the Chicago club, Mr..
Hartman met ]. J. Mitchell. president
of the Chicago & Northwestern rail-
roads and several officials of the Union
ed before going to the club, Mr.. Harri-
man declared he was opposed to the
Hepburn bill or any railroad regulation
unless it carried with it provisions for
publicity and regulation, protection for
the railways. The Hepburn act in it
.
Hartman. had it been coupled with
some legislation for protection as well
as regulation. This L stated to the
president as far back as 1905. 1 also
wrote to Mr.. Taft about it that same
year. l said then 1 favored regulation
and publicity if coupled with protection
so as to permit the movement of traffic
along the lines of least resistance and
least cost. This can only be accom-
plished by cooperation between the
-v,l-
the government is willing to grant one,
it should not enforce the other"
Hartman Wants Cooperation.
Omaha, Neb., Aug. 4.-"What we
want is cooperation and ratienalism,"
said E. H. Hartman. as. he sat in his
private car this morning eating a bowl
of milk and rice for his breakfast.
Chicago was too much for Mr.. .Har-
riman and his stomach has gone back
on him. The big railroad magnate
was half way sick this morning and
spent restless night However, III
be all right in a couple of days he
said. as his train pulled out at 81
| for the west.
when will you resume building
operations in the west?" was asked.
whenever the revenue warrants II.
We are ready and anxious just as soon
warrant the building of new ones. AL
though revenue has shown an increase
| in the last two or three months, 1t is
not to compare with two or three
years ago. We are doing some build
ing in Nebraska and Wyoming as well
| as on the Pacific coast"
"How is business in your territory
| Mr.. Hartman was. asked. - -. r.
Don't call it my territory" peeyish-
| ~ answered Hartman ITS all my
! territory just as it's any other man s.
| 1t is all interdependent.''
| Mr.. Hartman was Joined at Omaha
| by General Counsel Levitt of the Har-
| riman lines, who went west with the
| m o0ate