The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-25
RETAINS FIRM TOUCH
UPON KEYS OF FINANCE
While Hartman is Very Weak His
Mind Still Grasps the Problems
of the Railroad World and is
Alive . Current Events.

New York ugust 4.-Edward II. Har-
riman genius of finance, leader of men
and master organizer of railroad sys-
tens, came back to the United States to-
day while the financial world stood on
its tiptoes with anxiety and expectancy.
He came back as he left, on July 1. last. a
sick, tired man, seeking health. Tonight,
surrounded by his family and physicians
at his magnificent summer home at
Arden-on-t the Hudson, he has begun the
"after cure" which he needs after the
enervating baths and diatetic treatment
he underwent at the Austrian resort.
Bad Gastein. How long it will be before
he resumes the active direction of his
vast railroad interests depends solely upon
his health He arrived today feeble, face
gaunt. and voice weak.
And l have come home" he said, for
a cure and not for work"
Many great Americans have returned
to their country's shore under extraordi-
nary circumstances, but never has there
been more remarkable Homecoming of
a private citizen than that of L. II. Harri-
man. Great stock market operators
paused as his ship drew near, the stock
dustrial world turned its eyes seaward
as it were, eager for a glimpse of the
famous man whose Illness abroad has
furnished much material for stock mar
ket rumors.
Hurried to Arden.
Contrary to expectations, the financier
did not leave the Kaiser Wilhelm II down
h. hut t1,o
vessel docked at Hoboken. Then after
being assisted ashore, he boarded a
Southern Pacific tug and was taken to
! Jersey City, where he was again assisted
| to his private car. From there the trip
was quickly made up the Hudson to his
mountain home at Arden.
} Although he flashed ashore brief mes
sage of optimism at the request OF the
Associated Press and conversed for time
with interviewers after the kaisers ar
rival at quarantine until he had landed,
been transferred from Hoboken to Jersey
City and placed comfortably in his pri-
vate car that Mr. Hartman talked freely
about himself, his health and his hopes
of early recovery. Then, reclining on
a couch, pale and enfeebled, but with his
usual optimism and tenacity of mind he
talked to an audience of more than a
score of newspaper men before leaving
for Arden.
He began by apologizing for his recum-
bent position while talking saying that
while he had taken his meals regularly
all the way over, just before he reached
quarantine today he was attacked with
nausea. This, he said, necessitated his
lying down. MIR. Hartman discussed
things trivial and pertinent, and spoke
lightly of the trying ordeal his physi-
clans had prescribed for him abroad.
Satisfied With Trip.
Il am entirely satisfied with my trip
abroad. as far as my health is concerned,
he said, land | believe l have nothing on
my mind except to come home and take
the after cure. | lost 10 pounds while
over there and for a little fellow like
me that Is a great DEAL
Lying back on a pillow his pale face
seeming even paler In the artificial light
of the car, Mr.. Harrimans quaint humor
and cheerfulness of mind was in marked
contrast to his physical condition. AS he
talked his wife and Judge r. S. Loveet.
vice president and general counsel of
the Union Pacific, stood by and gently
admonished him not to overtaX himself.
and continued TO talk His voice was
weak and he asked from time to time II
those furthest away from him could
hear
The doctors advised me to come home
and rest" he said, although they in
tended at first that ! should rest abroad"
Here he smiled wanly and went on.
The photographing those doctors put
me through was worse than upon my ar
rival here, for they 'X-rayed' me and did
all they could"
Laughing softly as he recalled his ex.
perienced, he said:
"They took is different photographs OF
my digestive organs on the skiagraph
And to make the pictures a success they
began feeding me on bismuth and rice
Bismuth and rice. ! understand show up
better on the plates.
Had a Lot of Fun.
81 had a great deal of fun during It
ALL" he said as he concluded the mar
rative. but 1 lost three pounds during
the photographing process and once got
a little shock.
THE doctor overlooked a little tack in
the machine which they stood me up
against. 1 came in contact with 1t. 1t
frightened me little, but l stuck to it
Mrs. Hartman and Judge Lovett grew
extremely solicitous as Mr.. Hartman
continued to talk. and once or twice it
was necessary for him to rest his voice.
But Notwithstanding their words of cau-
ton and his apparent weakness Mr.. Har-
riman went bravely on, his alert mind
leaping from subject to subject.
Turning to railroad matters. one OF the
first questions asked concerning his re-
ported option on a controlling interest in
New York Central stock. an option which
would give him, with his other roads, an
unbroken line of steel east and west from
coast TO coast.
THAT is an easy one" said the financier
smiling. but l would not tell you if
had
New Laws to Face,
Here he took the lead again himself
II expect to find more officeholders than
stockholders now" he said There are