The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-10-19

= PITTSBURG, Oct. 19.-President
flames McCrea, of the Pennsylvania
railroad. In an interview here today
discussed railroad conditions and the
outlook for the future at some length.
In the course OF this talk Mr.. McCrea
sounded the warning that 1t is time for
legislatures to cease attacks on the
roads, declaring the latter's prosperity
depends o. this.
If the railroads are let alone. Presi-
dent McCrea sees a rosy future for
them, as shown by the following ex-
preston:
I'm the railroad business this is the
uoubie-track era. All roads with single
racks are considering great improve
ments. To carry these out money s
needed and stock must be sold. II poll
ticians insist on stirring up unrest and
destroying confidence, investors are
going to be frightened away and prog
fess will be blocked.
New laws, without first noting the
effect of those preceding them, may
work more harm than good. Corpora
tions are now adjusting themselves TO
the new conditions, and after a while
the lawmakers can discern better what
Is needed. But while the new legisla-
tion from which corporations are just
recovering Is practically untried. there
should be a hal for some time. To rush
ahead with new legislation will surely
mean a blow at the confidence of in
yestors."
Mr.. McCrea would not say in SO many
words what would be the result of more
drastic legislation against railroads and
corporations. but he made 1t plain by
inference that II politicians crowded
business interests without regard for
conditions and blindly rushed into new
legislation there would be a bad result.
! Mr.. McCrea came here on an official
inspection of the road. preparatory to
putting in operation the great improve
ments for which the Pennsylvania rail-
road has appropriated millions. He Is
satisfied that this work will be rushed
to early completion. n that greater
improvements will follow. He is optim-
istic concerning the eventual double
tracking of all big roads In the country
He said it had now come to be recog-
nized that the double rack was indis-
pensable to large railroads, and that ex-
tensive improvements would be carried
out as soon as the return to normal
conditions had reached that stage that
the confidence Of the people was fully
restored.
In Q letter sent Western commercial
bodies, President McCrea denies that
any advance in freight rates Is contem-
plated. Referring to a pamphlet issued
recently by G. C. Mccain, based on let
tiers TO Presidents Brown. Murray and
McCrea, the Pennsy chief says Mccain
speaks only for himself. In part this
letter says:
'sYou refer to a pamphlet issued by
c. C. Mccain and say that 1t is assumed
that the carriers, for whom Mr.. Mccain
speaks, do not expect either his prem
Uses or his conclusions deduced there
from to pass unchallenged.' and you
further state that the issue of this
pamphlet brings to the front again the
question of q general advance In freight
rates, particularly in official clasaifica-
ton territory
"In the first place, no question Of gen.
eral advance in freight rates or In class
ifcation Is now under consideration or
contemplated by the railroads in the
territory in which our lines operate.
TN the second place. you are under
q misapprehension. as In the pamphlet
referred to Mr.. Mccain does not speak
for the carriers. but solely for himself.
.sThe criticism contained in your let
ter, therefore. should properly be adj
dressed to Mr. Mccain. and We have
forwarded your letter to him for his con-
sideration and reply, If he desires to do
so. JAMES McCREA. President"