Evening star., 1909-08-28
ARDEN ALL MYSTERY
Harriman'S Real Condition
Still a Profound Puzzle.
JACOB SCHIFF VISITS HIM
Big Banker Comes in Special Train
Today.
LINES ARE DRAWN CLOSER
Impossible to Get Accurate Informa-
tion-Harriman Stocks Cause
Market FURRY.
JACOB SCHIFF VISITS HIM
LINES ARE DRAWN CLOSER

ARDEN. y. y. August aS-Eithcl
Edward II. Hartman is too i'll to discuss
business or wishes to clean up certain i'm
portant financial matters as soon as pos
sible
These are the divergent views of a fly
ing visit made to the financier in his
mountain fastness today by Jacob IL.
Schiff, the New York banker
The importance attached to Mr. Schiff' s
visit was shown by the fact that a
through express train was stopped at
the Arden station today to permit the
banker to alight. This was done at the
request of an employe of the Hartman
estate, who, three hours later, returned
with automobile to meet this train
when it stopped at Arden. Mr.. Schiff
stepped off the train and was driven Off
up the steep road leading to the Harri-
man house.
Mr.. Schiff, who remained only a short
time in the house. declined to discuss the
purpose of the visit or to comment in
any way upon Mr.. Hartman and his in
terests.
Circle Drawn Closer.
The circle about Mr.. Hartman was
drawn today closer than ever. William
Mcclellan, the superintendent of the Har-
riman dairies, drove to the post office
and general store and gave orders that no
newspaper men or strangers should be
allowed 10 use the telephone. This order,
1t was found. applied to the whole line.
The telephones in Arden and Turner are
all on this line, which is a private one
under Mr.. McClellan's supervision. The
reason given was that outsiders calls
were keeping the line so busy that it was
difficult for subscribers to get proper
service. A denial of DIR. Crile's presence
was obtained from the Hartman house
before this order went into effect.
Repeated denials by members of the
household and the absence of further
confirmation strengthened the belief that
there was at least no immediate intention
of operating on the financier.
The only member OF Mr.. Harrimans
family who left the house grounds today
was Roland Hartman. his youngest son.
The youngster went automobile riding
with his tutor, and his smiling face was
far from indicating anxiety. He came
down the mountain at $3.50, scorched along
the Ramapo valley on the north side, then
across the railroad tracks at Arden and
flew back up the south side Of the valley.
the morning and seemed to be thoroughly
enjoying himself. His appearance outside
the grounds was taken as additional rea-
son 10 believe that his fathers condition
was not critical
Unusual Preparations.
Evidence continued to accumulate
that preparations were under way
at the home of z. II. Hartman for
some unusual event. Whether this
event is a surgical operation or only
consultation of physicians, or
whether the apparently significant hap
penings of the past twenty-four hours
have no bearing at all upon the physical
condition Of the railroad magnate, is some
thing at this time that cannot be definite
ly settled by those outside the Hartman
household.
From man employed at the Hartman
house il was learned today that one OF
the large rooms in the big structure is
being made ready for occupancy of some
kind This man says he worked yesterday
under the personal supervision of Mrs.
Hartman. shifting furniture. He did not
know to what use the room is to be put
1t may be intended for the occupancy
OF new arrival. possibly physicians. or
may be in preparation as the scene of the
reported operation.
More indirect evidence from men about
the house and grounds today fails to
strengthen the belief that the financier's
condition is worse than when he arrived
from Europe. Several of these men ga W
him sitting on the porch in the sun yes
tertiay. Sun baths are an important part
of the treatment prescribed by Mr.. Harri-
mans physicians. There was no atmos-
f.ro .ft .H<,. 4
the estate yesterday.
Walks Without Support.
Mr.. Hartman, they say. walks about
the house without support. Reports that
he rambles about the grounds are not
confirmed, but 1t is certain that he talks
with the men in charge of the operations
Of his estate.
The most satisfactory first hand report
on Mr.. Harrman's condition that has
come thus far from any one outside of
the household has been obtained from the
Rev. j. II. McGuinus. rector Of the Epis-
copal Church at Chester, about eight
miles from here. Mr.. McGuinus spent
more than an hour with Mr.. Hartman n
yesterday.
When / drove over to Mr.. Hartman $
home" said the clergyman, Il feared
that l should not be able to see him on
account of the alarming reports of his con-
dition, and on the contrary, i found him
looking much better than 1 expected. His
handshake is firm and to me he looks bet
ter than when he went to Europe
Mr.. McGuinus absolutely refused to tell
whether or not he saw anything during
his visit that would confirm reports of
a possible pending operation Today was
a repetition of what prevailed during the
rest Of the week. The air Is clear with
snap and sparkle. Although at midday II
Is hot in the valley, there Is always a
cool breeze on the mountain top, where
the fnancier's residence stands The
nights are so cool that two blankets to
bed are not unusual.
A Fine Place to Get Well.
Physicians say that nowhere could the
sick man have chosen better spot for
this recuperation. Those who believe that
the series of events of the past twenty
four hours portend an important surgical
operation are divided in their opinion as
10 whether this event Will occur at once
or some time in the future. 1t is possible
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