The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-12
HARTMAN NO LONGER
KNOWN AS SPHINX
FREELY WITH NEWSPA.
PER REPORTERS ON MANY
LEADING SUBJECTS.

Antonio regarding Edward H. Harrt
man, who has been eneamped foi
some time past at Hot Wells, a sub,
urb OF this city, no doubt read like
wild imaginings to those acquainted
with the great railroad magnate
But they are true, and therin is the
wonder Of it,
For Hartman, the astute, the un-
approaehable, the bugaboo OF inter-
viewers for many years, became OF a
sudden a changed man. Today he is
one of the most approachable men in
the public limelight of the United
States, Just what brought about this
change Of front in Mr., Hartman is a
matter Of mystery TO the newspaper
men Of Texas.
Refuse to be interviewed by a re.
portsr7 Not Mr.. Harrimanl "Step
right into my tent" he says, "What
was it you wanted to ask me about
our railroad policy as concerns Texas,
you says And lol Hartman, the
erstwhile sphinx, discusses almost
garrulously with a common reporter
Just what he thinks it will be best for
a certain road under his control to
do during the next twelve months;
hints that Texas legislation is a little
too severe to warrant him in spending
much money in this State for the
present; denies that his daughter is
going TO wed Robert Walton Goelet,
the Illinois Central director, who was
for several days member OF his
party, though admitting that as re-
CARDS this particular matter most Of
the talking viii be done from "the
New York end Of the line" meaning
Mrs. Hartman; laughs when told of
how Mr.. Goelet was arrested by a
San Antonio policeman for speeding
in an automobile-in fact, almost
anything that the newspapers want
Mr.. Hartman to talk about, he has
talked about, and he has talked fully,
frankly and freely, without any evil
dent attempt at subterfuge or evasion.
To one newspaper man who called at
his tent, Mr. Hartman presented his
latest photograph, double cabinet size
and exquisitely executed in sepia; to
another he extended a hearty invita-
tion to dinner, which was accepted.
When Mr.. Hartman reached San
Antonio he was suffering rather
severely with twinges of a rheumatic
affection in one Of his shoulders.
Originally his intention was TO re-
main for only a few days, but so ef-
ficacious was the south Texas ozone
and the simple life Of which the fnan.
cier at present processes to be enam.
ored that his rheumatism. at once
gave evidence of hasty fight and he
decided to prolong his stay.
And it is the genuine simple life
that Mr. Hartman has been leading.
As far as practicable he eschewed
business, drove railroad building and
schemes Of empire from his head, and ,
'pent his days in automobiling, golf
ind other outdoor pastimes.
That this giant fnancier has an ex-
remely human side, which is not
lard to touch, was made evident soon !
ifter his arrival here, when a reporter
lsked him if he would not like to go
With Mr.. Roosevelt on the latter's
rip to Africa. With biting memory :;
# the Presidents recent characterize
ion of him as an undesirable citizen"
eemingly fresh in his mind, Mr.. Har- :
imam replied, with a sardonic smile, =
Yes, | would greatly enjoy trip to
africa, but | believe | would much
refer to choose my company on such >
trip" Il
The gist of the wizards utterances
'hile here is seen in one single ut
france itself: 1--WE have made all OF c,
ne Hartman roads good roads. II e;
the best system in the world today Y
nd we are constantly working TO Il
lake it better We are not taking n,
oney out Of the country; we are put d.
ng more money into development. W
he railroads are the greatest force of c,
at work today. In olden ar
lys the population was thinned by eli
vii wars. How the country is DC
DIVIDED and the people must find stI
w homes. take it that it is de
arcely necessary to point out the tel
TT which railroads play in opening
new country. pr