The Washington herald., 1908-02-21
LETTER STIRS CRITICS
Taken as Notice President
Will Push His Policies.
HAS POWER OVER RAILROADS
But, IL Is Asked, Why Could He Not
Get Information He Wanted from
Data Now I'm Possession of the In
terstute Commerce Commission:
May Have Been Misinformed.

While public men are not inclined 20
discuss for publication President Roose-
velt's letter directing the Interstate Com
meree Commission to make an inquiry TO
determine the why and the wherefore OF
the action Of railroads in reducing the
wages of their employees. the latest docu-
ment from the White House is quite gen
orally accepted as notice that the admin
istration intends to leave no stone un-
turned TO carry out It's plans
The President Is convinced that there is
a Conspiracy on foot among the Inter
ests" TO discredit his policies, and bring
about at the psychological moment such
depression in commerce and trade as TO
convince the country that continuation
of the administration policies means disss-
ter to business men and an empty dinner
pail for the toiling masses
Mr.. Roosevelt has made Il plain that he
wants 70 know whether the curtailment
Of expenses by the railroads is due to
natural causes, unfriendly legislation. or
misconduct in the past financial or other
operations of any railroad He has it in
his power TO probe into the affairs of any
railroad or all the railroads. and shat he
will exercise this power if he deems It
necessary in the accomplishment OF his
purpose is not doubted by public men
here
Many Reports In Now.
1t is regarded as significant by many
people in Washington that the President
failed 10 avail himself OF Information
already at hand to determine whether or
not the proposed reduction in wages by
railroads was the result of Conspiracy
or made necessary by a falling Off in
business.
Under the law, common carriers are re-
quired TO file annual reports with ths In
terstate Commerce Commission. These
reports are broadly comprehensive in the
case of each railroad, showing in detail
the amount of capital stock issued. the
amounts paid therefor. and the manner
of paying for the same; the dividends
paid and the number Of stockholders: the
funded and floating debts. and the inter
est paid thereon: the cost and value OF
the carriers property. franchises, and
equipments; the amounts expended for
improvements each year how expended.
and the character OF such improvements:
the earnings and receipts from each branch
OF business and from all sources; the
operating and other expenses: the
balances Of profit and loss, and, 10 use the
language OF the law, "a complete exhibit
Of the financial operations Of the carrier.
including an annual balance sheet"
His Information Comprehensive.
All of this information, covering every
item Of railroad operation for the past
year. is on file in the Offices Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission. and from
IL. II is belived in certain quarters. the
President could have found out why the
carriers were compelled 10 reduce wages.
To political Washington. the purpose OF
the President in giving wide publicity to
a determination to probe the business
affairs Of the railroads. is obvious Ac-
cording to the views OF the "unfriends."
he has run up banner upon which ap-
pears the genial countenance of William
n. TAFT has grasped the big Stick"
firmly in his hand, has bid defiance 70
his enemies. and has made up his mind
TO dictate the succession. If he fails TO
do this, some of his friends say, he may
take the nomination himself
There is some reason to believe that the
President was given needless cause for
alarm over the situation in the rail-
way world. 1t is believed that he ac-
cumulated a lot of misinformation as to
the attitude OF the railways toward
their employees. For example, il is under
stood that he was Informed that the
Chicago Great Western was one OF the
roads that intended 10 reduce the wages
OF its employees.
Great Western Not Rich.
1t was represented TO him that this sys-
TEN was one Of the most profitable in the
United States. but that in retaliation for
hostile legislation, State and national. it
proposed to even up by pinching it's
employees.
The best information obtainable here is
that the Chicago Great Western is not a
big money maker. and that it has never
paid dollar on its common stock
The first step 10 be taken by the Inter
State Commerce Commission in carrying
out the Presidents orders in this regard
will be TO make a careful examination of
the reports OF the Louisville and Nash
vile and other roads that have fallen
under the Executive displeasure. This
may be followed by a conference with the
representatives Of the railroads affected
In the meantime. Charles P NeiIl. Com
missioner of Labor, has gone West TO
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