The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-03
President Adopts New Attitude
Toward Personal Intercourse
With Nations Financial
Leaders
I alks Nearly Hour
With J. P. Morgan
Henry Ford and Delegation
From Chicago Chamber Of
Commerce Soon to See Chic
Executive

Washington, July president
ward personal intercourse with the
big figures IN the financial world.
Evidence OF the presidents state of
mind was given today. when he talked
fer nearly an hour In the executive
office with ]. F, Morgan. 1t was said
that before long the president ex-
poets also to see Henry Ford. pres,-
dent Of tho Ford Automobile COM
pany. and that still another engage
ment Of the same sort is with a Eronp
OF business men composing commit
tee OF The Chicago chamber ~ COM
merce, wbe are coming TO Washing
ton 10 discuss legislative problems
with him.
Of course. there has been no frank
~ adhered To rule against the recep-
tion ~ men of This ciass but at least
there has been n singular series Of
coincidence which seemed To Justify
the belief that Mr. Wilson did nor
think 1t wise for him 20 hold confer
ences with them under the white
light OF publicity. which was supposed
tn beat down upon the White House.
Some O. those who vainfv have sought
opportunities To pay their respects 10
the president are; Chairman Howard
Elliott, o. the New Haven road;
ttonal Bank; and Henry p Dawson,
Of ]. r. Morgan e. Co.
Delicate Tntimn ttons
The limitations az tn the presidents
willingness IN hold conversations with
wealthy men, which followed upon
Mr.. Morcan,s visit TO the white
House today. were Of rather a delicate
character.
The president, when ne eaw the
newspaper correspondents this after
noon, told them that Mr.. Morgan's
visit had heen Of purely informal
character. gwen over to "reminiscences.
and thai business conditions had not
been discussed He mentioned IN
connection with the Morgan visit.
however, his ENGAGEMENTS with Mr.
Ford ard the Chicago chamber OF
commerce committee The manner IN
which the latter information was
given by the president suggested that
they were in some degree linked In
his own mind. A question. however.
ELECTED tho statement that the three
visits could net be properly connected.
Mr., Morcsns engagement to see the
pEF~~}atnt W~H IBaNE iHTet Gays aEC4
When Mr., Morgan stepped out OF his
taxicah at the entrance TO the presi-
dental Office building. he was smiling,
He said;
Not word about the purpose OF
my call. You will have 10 ask the
president about that. believe you
will see him this afternoon do you
nose"
Morgan Old Acquaintance.
As he left he enid that his visit
had been most pleasant. The presi-
dent said that he and Mr.. Morgan
were old acauafntances. and that their
n talking about old friends The en-
gagement had bern prolonged beyond
the allotted fifteen minutes. Mr.. Will
son said. a. his own wish
The policy Of the president with re-
gard 10 comforting with the big finan-
eiers drew attention to his recent
declaration IN q speech on business
conditions that he had not been work
ing in the dark In preparing and push
ing the antitrust program. The
president indicated then that he has,
been in touch with the leading bust
ness men IN the country and knew
their thought on the probable effect
of the antitrust legislation on the
business. 1t has never been disclosed,
though, who his advisers are.
The list OF business men of national
reputation who have visited the White
House since MARCH 4. 1918. has been
short. 1t includes Andrew Carnegie,
James SpeSer and James ]. Hill. In
Inmates OF the White House could re-
member nc others until Mr.. Morgan
called today
Ford Criticized Tariff.
lar ~ 49,
been invited to the White House for
luncheon with the president The
automobile manufacturer recently
gave out an interview in which he
said the depression of business had
been due 10 the new tariff law
In the Chicago committee which Is
TO see the president soon are the
heads IF the following corporations:
Farwell 4 Co, Marshall Field Il
Co; Carson Pffee. Carson Co: J.
Y Ryerson & Sons. Cudahv Packing
company. and Redi, Murdoch 4 Co.
President Joseph H, DeFrees. Of the
chamber requested the engagement.
The engaes ment Is for discussion Of
the antitrust legislation.
Presiden. Wilson said today that he
believed the business men of the
country are showing more ac-
quiescent attitude toward the enact
ment OF tic antitrust bills. The OBJ
tections which they have communi-
Gated to him, he said. had not been
directed against any one of the pend
ing provisions as having probable
bad effect upon business. He had
concluded from the tone OF many OF
these objections that their authors
had not read the administration meas
ures. The objections were OF much
the same character as those against