The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
HARRINANONLY
FOOLING NOW,
HE DECLARES
Railroad Magnate Insists That
He Is Well, Although Ap-
peariEg Feeble
Report of Intention TO Visit
Panama Virtually Denied by
Plans for Journey

officials at the club whom ] met in
Coronado that I would like them TO
count me in il they were arranging for
a trophy"
His words count me in" typif1ed his
entire attitude toward the public. In
whatever he said or did he seemed to
be reckoned as part Of those who
moved around him.
Railroads and politics were tabooed
fn his conversation. but the mention Of
prosperity caught him on his fsvorite
theme and the advice rolled forth.
The farmer is rich and IS going TO
be richer said he, and as a great
many Of US depend upon the farmers
condition II is extremely satisfactory
that this should be so.
The prosperity Of the country. how
ever, depends upon the manner in
which money is invested. If there is a
general desire to place il in inacces-
sible or illegitimate channels we must
expect a scarcity Of money.
If the country has popular tend
ency TO invest in distant and mac
cessible real estate, in new railroads
and other schemes which viii make It
difficult 10 collect on short notice then
We must look for a financial depres-
sion.
Take the case OF . fellow who wants
70 discount his note and buy g new
stock Of goods. lie is going TO find il
very hard If the people 10 whom he
looks for financial aid have placed
their money in these inaccessible
places"
When questioned about the proposed
consolidation with the New York Cen
tral he became suave.
Really. now" said he. Il do not care
10 discuss that sort Of thing. You see,
you newspapers probably know OF these
changes before I do and l. through my
ignorance. might give you false in
formation"
An awful pause followed Then Har-
riman laughed. NO, no" said he.
There is nothing Of Importance in my
trip. I am simply fooling along here,
picking up loose threads There is
nothing I can tell you which Will be Of
interest TO anybody"
He was asked about the long pro-
posed depot in San Francisco and he
changed TO the gentle Gliding tone.
Somebody seems to erect an obstacle
every time on that matter. We are
willing TO go ahead with our shareLof
the agreement If the people of San
Francisco viii do theirs"
Are you going TO retire?' He had
been expecting the question and drew
himself Up.
Not ct ALL" was his reply u am
feeling splendid. Ny health is fine"
All the officials around him echoed
his words They all said he was in
splendid health. They were insistent
about the proposition, and they reiter-
ated the fact again and again.
But Hartman does not appear at all
we'll He walks slowly and with effort
He entered his automobile painfully,
and his small frame was shrunk to a
pitiable size
The special train bearing the Harri-
man party arrived at Burlingame from
PasO RObles at noon yesterday. On it
were Miss Mary Hartman. Mr.. and Mrs
Robert Goelett, Or. and Mrs. Dixon, Mr.
and Mrs. Louis Hill and the usual ar
ray Of secretaries and telegraph oper-
atOrs.
on arriving at Burlingame the party
was met by d. o. Mills and taken to
Millbrae for luncheon. No sooner did
the special roll in than linemen were
busy arranging the telegraph and tele-
phone apparatus connecting the train
with the outside world. A typical Har-
riman message was sent over the tele-
phone from Millbrae to the agent at
Burlingame.
send my train to MiIlbrae." said he.
MhereupOn the electricians and line
men were again called into use and the
telegraphic and telephone communion
lions cut of. Hartman did not wait
FOR the train TO come up. Taking one
car and an engine he. accompanied by
j.. 2. Calvin, vice president and gen.
eral manager Of the Southern Pacific
went to inspect the bay shore cutoff,
following which the party came on to
san Francisco.
Here Hartman left the other men,
bers Of the party. who proceeded to the
Fairmont hotel, but he returned to Bur
lingame with William F. Herrin and
spent the entire afternoon talking with
him.
The fact Of Louis Hill, president of
the Great Northern and son of James
J. Hill. meeting Hartman at paso
Rohles and coming to san Francisco
with him was taken to mean that some
big railroad deal was being planned
This thought was made the stronger
by q consultation between II. c. Mutt
of the Northern Pacific and j. p
O'BTien Of the Oregon Short line and
Hartman yesterday.
Tt was arranged that Mutt and
O'Brien should meet Hill, following
their conversation with Hartman, but
they We're unable TO do so and will see
him today. Whether this general con
sultation OF the big railroadmen has
any special significance at this time ii
was impossible to determine. All de-
clared that nothing OF Importance was
On hand.
Hartman said that he would leave
Tor Kew York on Sunday
L have been away from New York
for two months" said he, and an
rather anxious TO get back I will
spend a short holiday with my ,wo
boys, who are now there on their
Easter vacation, before settling down
to work.
This statement discredits the story
that he would return east via the
Panama route He will spend today
and a part Of Sunday at Burlingame
Il VIII probably visit some of my
friends around here" said he, and per-
haps watch a game Of polo.''
The game to be played at Burlingame
today viii be on the Carolan field and
though no definite details were made
last night, the probabilities are that
II will be between two scratch teams.
An effort was made to have the game
between the British and Burlingame
teams. but the idea was dropped when
Il was learned that Hartman refused
TO attend a polo game on Sunday.
Il do not care to" said he simply.
Hartman Joined the rest Of his party
al the Van Ness theater last night. but
following the performance returned to
Burlingame.
Despite his evident III health, he de-
votes all his time to business and there