New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-29
H4RRIMAN'S KINDNESS.
arden OUerseer Tells of His Interest
in Employees.
IRx tn. Associated Pr,,,1

His seclusion In his Tower Hill home is complete
ever. but all the information which CLEANED
to-day tends TO support the increasing confidence
thai his aiment is not 10 be Relieved by the sur
geon's knife-not just now. at least. Whether the
decision not to operate on Mr.. Hartman was
reached because his physical condition would make
an operation unwise at this juncture or whether no
operation is necessary must remain unanswered SO
long the Hartman family maintains Its rigid
policy OF silence.
But on authority which could not be confirmed
from Arden House from the Offices Of the Harri-
man lines In New York Il said that. after a
consultation, physicians reported to-day ~ the
family and the interests in Wall Street most
deeply concerned in the Hartman securities that
IL was best TO let the patient make full trial OF
the after cure" recommended at Bad Gastein be-
fore a more heroic alternative is considered.
DR.. George w Grille. the Cleveland surgeon who
was reported 10 have been summoned in cOnsulta-
tion from the White Mountains, not recog-
nized to-day as arriving departing passenger
at either Turner Arden. The two stations on the
Erie Railroad nearest the Hartman residence.
The earliest information direct from the Harri-
man household indoors to-day came in reply TO a
query the telephone
Mr.. Hartman is resting we'll There has been
no operation and change in his condition" was
the gist OF this answer The reply appar-
emily from one OF Mr.. Harriman's secretaries
house servant.
The relentless vigil OF all the attendants about
the Hartman estate 10 prevent access or COM
munication with the Hartman house explained
and In measure excused to-day by William Nc
Clellan overseer Of the Arden farms He has been
one OF Mr.. Harriman.s most trusted employees for
the last sixteen years. Mcclellan said he
pressed the sentiment OF the many other employees
Of the estate in saying that their vigilance and
anxiety in enforcing the doctors orders was
prompted by a spirit OF love and respect for their
chief rather than by any explicit orders
Every one loves Mt. Hartman up here" said
Mcclellan land there isn't man on the place
who would not almost give up his life 10 protect
him from harm relieve him OF any unnecessary
annoyance. That is not because he pays his men
WELL but for the that he is so kind and
sympathetic and takes personal interest IN us
all. While We don't believe that he is dangerously
i'll at this time. know that the doctors have pre-
scribed for him. and We are anxious 10 do
our part 10 have him get IL.
Mr.. Hartman has been more than a father 10
me during my sixteen years service" he went on
land would get my knees and crawl a long
distance 70 do him service IL such a thing should
be necessary"
when Mr. Hartman had gone out OF his way TO
show a personal interest in his humblest employees
A number Of old employees practically pen
stoned on the estate he said.- and releve the
sting OF charity Mr.. Hartman assigns them small
tasks on the road~ays and receives their reports
on the work with due seriousness and interest
II you han been here few months ago. before
Mr.. Hartman went TO Europe said Mcclellan,
you might have seen him arm-in-arm with two
OF these old fellows. both over seventy, walking
down the road TO the station. giving them serious
instructions and encouraging them. although they
do practically nothing but roam about the estate.
enjoying the scenery"
Mcclellan said he sent photograph Of these two
gray haired workmen 10 Mr.. Hartman while he
was abroad. knowing Il would please him other
pictures taken about the farm. he said. were for
warded TO Mr.. Hartman at the latter's request.
The only direct telephone connection with the
Hartman house is under McClellan's control and
he recently refused 20 allow any outsiders TO use
the big private switchboard 10 call the house. or
send messages out OF Arden. But his words to-day
would seem 10 rob this action OF the arbitrary
quality II first assumed.
The only member of Mr.. Harrlman's family who
left the house grounds to-day Roland Harri-
man. his youngest son. The boy went automobile
riding to-day with his tutor and his round, smiling
face bore little evidence Of anxiety Roland with
his tutor at the steering wheel. rode IN a runabout
with a large red cross the front OF It's hood
probably a machine belonging TO DR. Lyle. He
came down the mountain at $50 O'Clock. sped along
The Ramapo Valley on the north side. then across
the railroad tracks at Arden and back up the
south side OF the valley. He three or four
times during the morning and seemed 20 be enjoy
ing himself thoroughly. His appearance outside
the grounds was taken an additional reason TO
believe that his fathers condition not critical
Evidence continued TO accumulate to-day that
preparations were under way at Arden House for
said this morning that OF the large rooms in
the big structure being changed about and
made ready for occupancy OF some kind This man
said that he worked yesterday under the personal
supervision OF Mrs. Hartman changing furniture
He old not know 10 what use the room was 10 be
put II may be intended for the occupancy OF new
arrival possibly a physician. or It may be in prepa-
ration as the scene OF the reported operation he
Eaid
More indirect evidence from men about the
nd rdS fo-1 aflaG
theory that the hnancier's condition was worse
than when he arrived from Europe Several OF
these him sitting the porch IN the
sun yesterday. Sun baths are an important part
OF the treatment prescribed by Mr.. Harriman's
physician Mr.. Hartman they say walks about
the house without support. Reports that he ram
bles about the grounds confirmed hut n "a
certain that he talks with the men In charge of
the operations OF his estate.
The weather to-day a repetition Of that
which prevailed here during most of the week
The air is clear. with snap and sparkle Although
at midday 81 is hot in the valley. there Is ALWAYS
a cool breeze on the mountain top where Arden
house stands. The nights are SO cool that two
blankets 10 a bed are not unusual Physicians say
that nowhere could sick have chosen a
better spUt for regeneration.
Men in charge OF the various departments of con-
struction work said to-day that Mr.. Hartman fire.
Guently called them TO the house and conferred
with them on the porch in regard 10 the work being
done and new plans OF his own.
IL was learned that about ninety rooms including
some for servants were actually ready for use
In the Hartman house. which will contain about
two hundred and ninety rooms when completed The
covering for the large music room and chapel which
VIII be done in live oak. is making progress in the
hands OF experts now the estate Each member
OF the family will have a private suite OF rooms
and there will be twenty rooms for servants Il was
said There are at present about five hundred men
/ on the payroll OF the superintendent Mr. Ford AT
a weekly cost OF 10000. II will be nearly three
hefor no