The Topeka state journal., 1908-07-16
RAILROAD NEWS.
Where Does President Roosevelt
Standl
His Attitude a Puzzle to Rail-
way Officials.
HISPLANS AKEFEARED
Upset Movement for Increase in
Freight Rates.
Other Items Of Interest in
Railway Circles.
HIS PLANS AREFEARED

Railroad officials are in a quandary
about the attitude of President Roose-
welt toward the increase in railroad
freight charges which the railroads
wish to make.
The action of the interstate COM
merce commission in ordering the re-
scinding by the railroads of the order
increasing the lumber freight rates in
the Northwest is now taken as an in
dIcation that the commission, and pre-
sumably the president, do not look with
favor upon an Increase. even small
one. 1t was thought in official rail-
road circles, that the advance in the
lumber rates was one which would meet
with less opposition In washington
than an increase on any other COM
modify because the arguments advanc-
ed by the railroads making the ad-
vance seemed to be of a character that
would seem to perfectly justify the
action.
Now that the interstate commerce
commission has acted adversely on that
increase the possible attitude of Presi-
dent Roosevelt on other and possibly
more radical changes in freight tariffs
has become a problem that is causing
much anxiety among the railroad off,
cials.
Several months ago. a delegation of
prominent railroad men called upon
President Roosevelt in Washington and
1t was widely reported that the presi-
dent gave his callers to understand
that they would have the normal sup
port of the administration in an adj
vance of freight rates. This was de-
MED at the White House. The inter-
state commerce commission also dis
credited the story.
1t is a fact that shortly before the
public knew of a possible increase in
freight rates, men prominent in rail-
roads did visit the president. None of
them, at least publicly has since said
that President Roosevelt admitted. in
so many words, that the railroads
would be justified in increasing freight
rates. but they have declared that they
came away with the firm conviction
that the president recognized the neces-
sity of raising freight rates and that
he would not be unfriendly to such
move. 1t is positively stated. however,
that he told the railroad men that the
administration. under no circumstan-
ces, would tolerate a decrease in the
wages of railroad laborers and other
employees. This has never been dfspu-
among managers generally an idea that
small, reasonable increase in freight
rates would not be santagonized by the
administration.
1t is this that has been offered in
explanation for the secrecy attending
=
mulated for raising rates. Even after
the storm of protest from manufactur-
ers, railway men kept right on with
their plans. seemingly feeling secure
In their position until the recent de-
cision Of the commission ordering a
restoration of the old rates on lumber
from the Northwest.
The feeling that the administration
was with them has changed to a fear
that President Roosevelt is disinclined
IL 4. Il
an advance in freight rates and is like
ly, II necessary, to do all that he can
TO discourage 1t. Under these circum-
stances, many railroad managers feel
that they are between the upper and
neither millstones.
The recent statement made by w. c.
Brown. senior vice president of the New
York Central lines, in which he fixed
the date for the advance in freight
rates in classification territory for Oc
tober 1. contained several claims which
showed clearly the necessity the rail-
roads feel for an increase.