Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-25

line of steel east and west rom coast
to roast.
"That is an easy one" said the finan-
cier smiling but l wouldn't tell you
if / had"
Here he took the lead again him
self. 81 expect to find more office
holders than stockholders now" said
he There are more new laws and
they never seem to displace the old one;
new laws mean new Office holders to
admnistratc them.
ID oyou refer to the corporation
tax?' he was asked.
Yes. and some new state laws" was
the. reply.
Legislation seemed to arouse his in
terest greatly, and warming to his SUBJ
ject he threw aside caution, rose from
his pillow and sat upon the couch.
Il am feeling a bit better" he said as
he looked around the circle of inter-
viewers.
Mr.. Hartman INDUCED in few rent
iniscenSeS.
Three years ago 1 was called a
Spectator he said. THAT was when
Union Pacific was placed on a 10 per
cent. dividend basis, and Southern Pa
cific on a five per cent. dividend basis.
had a hard time convincing my asso-
ciates that the roads could pay such
dividends, but l had come to realize
that we were building, not better than
we knew but quicker than we knew. 1t
was difficult for me to comprehend
that the development and returns
which followed our construction work
in the West were SO enormous and so
rich
do you mean to put the surplus
earnings into the roads rather than TO
turn them over to the stockholders?
he was asked
/ "Yes, that's abolit-it' he said That
my plan-construction and develop
nent and I guess the public and the
press are convinced now that am not
Spectator.
During these four years it was hard
o convince my associates. 1t was a
lard three years. | wish could wipe
hem out, but l am through with that
low" I.
Mr. Hartman would not say Just
What neW undertakings he proposed.
But" said he lit is in my mind. to open
Up. new territory and to build new tri-
5utary lines. This means new settle
ments and more people"
This attitude he emphasized through
out his talk on railroad matters, leav-
ng the inference that he contemplated
improvements rather than increased
dividends.
In this Connection. the action of the
directors of the Union Pacific and
Southern Pacific Railroads today is
significant. Both met but declared only
| he regular dividends.
Touching on his railroads at an,
ate not until new equipments wa.
needed At this point his attention
was directed to a recent magazine ar
ticle which said there was raid in
he west against him because of the
ligh short haul rates.
1T is alleged that you exact more
20 haul from New York to Salk Lake
-ity than from New York to San Fran
cisco" some one suggested.
II don't want to go into rates at this
time" was the brief reply. "My method
is to serve the public and have them
get what they pay for. 1t is like buy
ng. a new suit of clotheS-you want
get the most for your money. The
public gets its moneys worth. 1 give
them the best equipment. the best
track and regular time
The interview came to an end only
It the insistence of Judge Lovett.
While Mr.. Hartman protested that he
could talk without limit so long as
the subject was railroads, the judge
pleaded and finally brought the talk
o a close.
We'll, if there isn't anything else just
now" said Mr.. Hartman perhaps it is
| better that you excuse me for a while,
I expect to eat dinner in my new dining
| room at Arden tonight"
But as the newspapermen withdrew
one turned and fired parting question.
In selecting brainy executives, do
you let the matter of dress count for
anything?" he asked
1T is all in the shape of their heads"
was Mr.. Harrimans laughing reply.
With this he sank back nthe couch
and the interview was at an end.