The Washington herald., 1914-01-20
~ - y Z - " 80. x
TAKES
OPTIMISTIC VIEW
Expresses to Callers Conf
dence in Prosperity for
Country This Year.
FAv0Rs ROADS REQUEST
Mr.. Wilson Looks on Petition for In
crease in Freight Rates
as just.
FAVORS ROADS REQUEST

President Wilson is in an optimistic
frame of mind about business conditions.
He sees no sign of trouble on the busi-
ness horizon and took occasion to ex-
press his views in this regard to callers
at the White House yesterday. II may
be stated upon authority that the Presi-
dent has received reports from what he
regards as authoritative sources to the
effect that q feeling Of confidence in the
future pervades the business world.
The President appears to be convinced
that business men Of the country do not
look for an upset In commercial and in
dustrial conditions following legislation
already passed by the Democrats or leg
islation to be passed at the current ses-
sion Of Congress.
The President told callers yesterday
that the reports which he had received
In this connection were in sufficient num-
Der and from sources 20 widely eparated
as to leave no doubt as to the extent OF
the belief IN the minds of business men
that there In no ground for lack of con-
fidence In what the future will bring
forth.
Bssiness Mea Confident.
These reports. which have come to the
President personally, are said to be borne
out by others which have been made TO
him by Secretary of Commerce Redfield,
Mr.. Redfeld. at the Presidents request.
has sought within the past month TO
keep in close touch with the viewpoint
of business men throughout the country.
and he confirmed the statement of the
Presidents correspondents that the oper-
ators OF Industrial corporations are not
only hopeful but confident.
The President admitted that there WAS
some unrest In the business world, but
Indicated that 1t was largely confined to
industries whose prosperity Is dependent
to greater or less degree on the pros
perity OF the railroads. In this connec-
ton friends of the administration declare
that the business OF the railroads will
undoubtedly liven up IL they are per-
mitted to increase rates in accordance
with their application made to the Inter
state Commerce Commission. The i'm
preston is quite general that the COM
mission will act favorably on the appli-
cation Of the railroads.
President Wilson told callers that he
would regard 1t as highly improper for
him to discuss the merits Of the pro-
posed increase in railroad freight rates
in his message to Congress today, in
view OF the fact that the appeal for this
increase is pending before the Interstate
Commerce Commission. II had been in
dicated that the President might consider
himself justified in advising The commis-
sion in a public way as to his personal
views on the subject. II is known, how
ever, that the President will not touch on
the question.
President Favors Roads.
1t is regarded as practically certain
that the Presidents personal view is
that permission TO make the desired
Increase in freight rates should be ac-
corded the roads. The understanding
is that close personal friends of the
President and men in whose fairness
and integrity OF mind he has great
have advised Mr.. Wilson
that an imperative necessity exists for
the betterment of railroad conditions,
especially in the East. Information
from these correspondents with regard
to the general business outlook in the
railroad field have been given serious
consideration by the President. and
have resulted in the conclusion by him
that the railroads requests should be
approved.
In order to expedite the settlement of
the application of the Eastern carriers
for an increase I'm freight rates the In
terstate Commerce Commission yesterday
issued a circular simplifying many of the
recently sent to the car
riers. Among other things, the commits
sion indicates that II will permit carriers
to make returns by systems instead of
by individual roads, and this, II is under
stood, will save the carriers considerable
time and expense.
The commission has not yet fixed a
date for the resumption Of the rate hear
ings, but II is semi-officiaily stated that
-
be resumed by February .. when COM
planning shippers will be heard. The COM
mission has decided to resume hearings
before the carriers have furnished an
swers to the interrogatories recently for
mulated.-