New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-17
Cabinet to Take Up day
Crisis in Dissolution
Negotiations.
WEEKS PUTS ROADS
FATE ON PRESIDENT
Asks Him TO Take Hand in Avert
ing Disaster TO New England
and Whole United States.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau.l

FROM nc lIlbuUe bureau
Washington, March 1G-The danger
Of serious breach in the negotiations
between the government and railroad
representatives over the disintegration
Of the New Haven system has become
so acute that the subject will be con-
sdered at the Cabinet meeting to-
morrow.
Complica tons which threaten to dis
rupt commercial interests in the New
England States and perhaps cause
business disaster in New England fur
nish the reason for the decision Of the
President to take a hand in the nego-
tiations in the hope that an adjustment
may be perfected whereby there may
be an orderly dissolution which will
conserve the interests Of all concerned.
Members Of Congress and commercial
organizations in New England have
brought pressure TO bear upon the ad-
ministration i'm view Of the difficulties
which now confront an amiCable set
tlement.
one of the chief barriers to an agree
ment is the insistenCe Of the Attorney
General that the dissolution shall he
accomplished in this administration.
Critics Of the administration argue
that this restriction is imposed simply
for the purpose Of giving the Demo-
cratic party an opportunity 10 call the
possible disintegration "a Wilson
achievement" On the other hand, ad-
ministration officials say that the
President knows that political eXpedi-
ency demands that the negotiations be
minus any elements which will bring
disaster TO New England.
Weeks Asks Wilson's Aid.
Senator Weeks, of Massachusetts,
held a conference with the President
to-day and pointed out to him the
urgency OF a fair settlement OF the
question. He asserted that many in
terests in New England were peculiar
" linked with the New Haven system
and that this fact be given due con-
sideration. II was the opinion Of Sen
"meddlers" in the negotiations. lie
said that the President could soon
straighten out the tanGle by summon
ing to the White House the Attorney
General, Governor Walsh Of Massa-
chusetts and Howard Elliott, chairman
of the New Haven board There IS
2 strong possibility Of such confer
onCe.
"They are hddling away while Rome
is burning" said Senator Weeks.
The New Haven must raise about
S1OO.O0O,O00 in the next four months
to meet maturing obligations, and un-
der present conditions II cannot. There
is one man who can bring all the vari-
Gus clements together. He Is the Pres
ident of the United States.
Receivership Feared.
'I told the President that in my
Judgment II vas necessary that prompt
action be taken 10 complete settle
ment of the New England railroad
troubles; that | assume all parties at
interest-the Department Of Justice,
the government Of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and the New Haven
Railroad-were honestly trying to
reach a settlement, but that minor
questions were allowed TO interfere
with the final adjustment, and unless
essentials were kept in view and de-
tails subordinated J. feared the New
England railroads would go into the
hands Of a receiver. an extremely un-
desirable result from every viewpoint
"As I understand it, the New Haven
Railroad has agreed to dispose OF its
Boston & Maine stock. severing It's
connection with that road, and has ac-
Continued on fourth page second column