The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-04-02
Then Railroads Would be En-,
couraged Says Hartman.
Arrives in New York-Seems a New
Man From Combination Vacation
and Business Trip.
PLEASED WITH IRRIGATION

man reached the city late last night,
to all appearances re-invigorated
man after his long combination vaca-
ltion ard business trip over the Harri-
imam railroads in the southwest and
Mexico. Hartman was particularly
Enthusiastic over the benefits of irri-
IgatIon.
Hartman said he found in the
west and southwest a vastly changed
sentiment towards the railroads.
with such sentiment predominant
There would be announcement for
railroads to go ahead with develop
Iment work, he thought.
The trouble Is, however" ne said
that the changed sentiment has not
Iyet been crystalized into laws. The
lsame represssive laws stin stand on
the statute books, and until they are
laltered there will be no really practi-
lcable basis to work upon"
The marveious reserve force of the
imam was shown in his treatment OF
the subjects in which he was vitality
interested, and that he is sufficiently
great to bear no IN will against indi-
vidual or government was plainly in
ievidence. 1t was also evident that
Mr.. Hartman does not mean 20 aban
don the fight. If fight II must be. but
that he will keep his hand on the
helm and continue In the course
(which he has mapped out for the
great interests placed In his cbarge.
81 wish you boys would correct one
thing" he began. ''about which II
feel strongly. l have been quoted as
lcriticising and speaking harshlyl
against the government and our ex-
president for having prosecuted me-
and the interests which represent
4 have never spoken bitterly regard
ing either and I have no criticism TO
make. The prosecutions were all
fright, for there is nothing about the
railroads l represent which we desire
to conceal. Every move we have
made has been known to the govern
Iment' and we have always tried to
lobey the law. have no feeling in
the matter and certainly harbor no
-lresentment against the government
lnor toward any Individual"
Gives Combine Ideas.
! Asked whether he had declared
himself.to be i'm favor OF a combina-
ltion of all railroads, Mr.. Hartman
smiled and said:
That is another thing that can
not seem to say in such way that
newspaper boys will understand me-
Tor course, / am not In favor OF a
lcombination between all railroads.
lbut am for combinations where
economy demands them and where
the best service necessitates them"
Whether they be parallel or com
Ipeting lines or not?" was asked.
Certainly. That makes no differ
ence If the necessity exists. For ex-
ample. the laws of this country are
such today that two railroads cannot
legally get together and. discuss meas
ures which are for the benefit of both
and for the benefit OF the public. This
lis wrong and should be changed. II
makes II impossible for stronger
line 20 go to the help OF parallel
and competing line which is the
weaker and which needs help. Be
tween such lines so situated there
should be permitted combination
and consolidation II the occasion |
arises. In this way both roads could |
be made valuable. and the service OF !
one at least made more valuable 10
the people.
"A railroad Is not like any other
enterprise. Its rules are there, and
they cannot be torn up and thrown
away. The railroad must be operated,
and it Is not for the best interests or
the country that the weak lines
should always be menaced with a re-
|ceivership. By combination OF such
lines, also. 1t would be possible to
effect economies OF operation ami
such economics are always followed |
10y a reduction in the transportation
charge"
Points 20 His Record.
would YOU have the combination
OF parallel and competing lines per-
mltted without restraint" was asked
mo, indeed. l would have II per-
mltted upon the consent of the inter-
state commerce commission and
under its supervision. ! am in favor
of government supervision and regu-
lation. but not just because II has
come | am on record at Washing
ton as being in favor of governmental
regulation. and told Mr.. Roosevelt
so early in his campaign. That Is a
matter of record and easily verified.
But. mind you. told him ! was in
favor OF regulation n combined with
protection. but We have been getting
regulation without protection, and
that is bad for the railroads and bad
for the people, for. after all, II Is the
people who have to pay for the mis-
takes OF the government-the people
always have TO pay"
A. /