The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-20

WI ALiCAA II jill 4 Al 80 49,
Will be based, and turned it over to the
Department OF Justice, IS inclined 10 be-
lieve that the Governments case is
based on the contract between Harri-
man and Clark. for pooling interests Of
the Southern Pacific and San Pedro
roads, and suppressing competition
In this connection IS the sensational
report that when the case comes to trial
former Senator Clark will go on The
stand and tell the whole story OF re-
lGtlOns between himself and Hartman.
It is said tho former Senator was
drsgOOned into the agreement with the
Southern Pacific by threats OF running
his road and its business, and that IL
was not till he had been made to feel
tho power of Hartman IN a fashion
which made apparent to him that he
could rot afford such a warfare, that
he consented to the terms which szsAs3
The Independence Of his road.
a member of the Interstate Commits
sion pointed out that Significance would
doubtless attach 10 the fact that HaTTi-
man was never permitted to give a word
Of testimony about the San Pedro con-
tract. thus preventing him from getting
immunity on this transaction.
Owns Large Copper Interests.
Senator Clark owns immense copper
interests in the Southwest. He believed
he was being robbed in transportation
rates by the Southern Pacific, and when
he could not otherwise get redress he
built the San Pedro line, from Salt
Lake to Los Angeles. It was said to be
the biggest railroad enterprise ever car
ried out single-handed by an individual
capitalist. He did not even float any
bonds against it. although so, 10000 Of
them were issued. Senator Clark Is
understood still 10 hold the entire issue.
The road, which Is over 500 miles long
was built by Clark out OF his income
from month to month. His finan sial re-
sources were such that he could have
defied Hartman and kept his line indie
pendent; IL would have fairly sustained
itself in handling Clarks own freight.
even If given no other traffic. But Ha--
riman defeated Clark in another way.
He got possession OF a mountain pass
by a clever legal trick which was alb
sclutely necessary for Clark to get
across the mountains. This trick was
turned after Clark had spent many mil
lions and done most of the work OF
building his line. Without the right to
use this path the entire investment
would have been absolute loss. Clark
then surrendered in order to get the
privilege Of saving what he already had
invested.
II the true history of the long war be-
tween Clark and Hartman Is told on
the witness stand by Clark, It will be
the most remarkable narrative OF It's
kind ever heard In the history Of Ameri-
can railroad building.
Fight for Supremacy.
The Clark and Hartman forces fought
for months for control Of the pass in
question The outside world has never
known anything like the whole story.
because the struggle was carried on
hundreds Of miles from civilization.
Each side employed a small army Of
mercenaries, and the end Of the struggle
was still in doubt when Hartman got
q court decision TeviYing an old right
of-way claim Of the oregon Short Line
TO this route, which was supposed long
before to have lapsed-
Senator Clark was ambitious to make
his road q success, and to keep 1t am
bilious. He had prospects for a con-
nectiOn from Salt Lake to Denver. and
beyond there were two or three possible
routes to the Missouri river. The charge
is made that Clark would within a de-
Cadc have given the country another
tranScOntinental route had he not been
baked by Hartman.
BY telling the whole story in detail,
Senator Clark. 1t Is explained, will get
immunity for his own part in the trans
action. and Il the same time will take
revenge against his enemy. Nobody at
the Department Of Justice IS ready TO
basis of the prosecution of Hartman;
but people familiar with the work which
the Interstate commission did in the in
vestigation believe this viii be the plan
Of the prosecution.
The contract between Hartman and
Clark is alleged to have been secured
under conditions which enabled Harri-
man TO put the screws TO his rival in
most effective fashion. It Is declared
that the whole proceeding constituted
the most fragrant violation Of the SheT-
man law, and that Senator Clark IS
ready 10 tell the story. The confidence
OF the Administration that ii viii get
Hartman" IS regarded by people IA
mfIiar with these transactions as based
on its assurance that rhis story can be
proved
WoODMERS INSTALLATION.
Representative Morris Sheppard OF
-. 81 " - EIaxxIav pf Oraeroo Mill